Captain Rodgers was silent for a few moments, then a slight smile curved the corners of his mouth.
“Our ambassador sent a cable to the State Department giving the information which Impey brought him,” he said slowly and thoughtfully. “The ‘Shimbunshi’ claims to have received a cable saying our government had determined to take the Chinese ships. I believe the cable was pure fabrication—Impey’s imagination. Still,” he ended abruptly, “I am puzzled to explain all of his actions. At times he impressed me as being honest.”
Phil smiled in a satisfied way. Had he not suspected him from the first?
“The situation is a very grave one,” Captain Rodgers said to the lads, after they were in the carriage and driving rapidly through the streets, illuminated in honor of their visit, on their way to the American Embassy. “When two nations mistrust each other’s actions, the seizing of the war-ships of a neutral and weak power like China is very certain to precipitate a condition which will be a step toward war.”
Phil and Sydney nodded their heads in silent understanding.
“And I am afraid that the ambassador and I are quite powerless to change the situation,” he continued thoughtfully. “The only way possible would be to induce the Japanese government to refrain from this seizure.”
“Takishima said that was now impossible,” Phil exclaimed in much perturbation, for he had not believed the mere seizure of the Chinese ships by Japan would lead to war.
Further conversation was cut short as their carriage rolled up through the smooth driveway to the door of the American Embassy. The lads caught glimpses of much gold lace as they followed their captain into the brightly lighted hallway, where their capes and hats were handed over to numerous attentive servants.
Once in the large reception room, dazzled by the handsomely gowned women and the glitter of Japan’s chivalry, both military and naval, the situation dwindled in importance. Impey was there, and Phil caught his eye almost immediately upon entering the room. The lad’s face flushed and there was anger in his heart as the part Impey was playing came again into his mind.
At dinner Phil was deeply gratified to find himself between Helen and Takishima.