The midshipmen were in civilian’s clothes, and Takishima with a studied official manner looked past them seeking some one in authority to whom he might address himself.
“I am sorry to inconvenience you,” he said, his eyes on Impey, the one whom he took to be in authority. “My orders are to convey you back to Yokohama. You sailed without clearing from the port authorities, and you refused to stop when challenged by the forts.”
“We are on the high seas,” Impey replied quickly. “You have no right to detain us. By the law of nations except in time of war that flag protects us from such a high-handed proceeding.” He pointed to the British ensign, which had been run up to the gaff when the destroyer was first sighted.
Takishima glanced aloft and a sphinx-like smile appeared upon his upturned face.
“Last night you flew a different one,” he said calmly. “Are you under the protection of both governments? Maybe between times you carry the black flag of a pirate.”
Impey bit his lips, at loss for an answer.
“Just a mistake,” he replied hesitatingly.
Phil had from a distance observed his Japanese friend. After he had ignored the midshipmen’s presence and addressed himself to Impey, the lad had backed away, but kept just within ear-shot. He saw that Takishima was armed with a revolver, and knew that each man of the waiting boat’s crew also was armed. The destroyer had now ranged close alongside, and he could read the interest in the faces of its crew, so close was it. The mist was beginning slowly to shut down; a warm south wind had sprung up, and in contact with the cold sea-water was giving up its moisture in fog. O’Neil stood at the gangway, the boat-line in his hand to which the small boat was holding. There seemed no possible loophole of escape.
“I shall put some of our sailors on board,” Takishima said, turning toward the gangway, and then for the first time addressing Phil. “Will you come back with me to the destroyer ‘Hatsuke’? I can land you somewhere, and you and your friends can return to Yokohama by train without publicity.”
Tears of mortification stood in Phil’s eyes. His plans had miscarried. He bowed his acknowledgment to Takishima for his consideration. In being landed he and his companions would escape the disgrace of returning in the seized “Sylvia.”