“Maybe you can,” he said quickly, then he hesitated.
“Go on,” she urged.
“How long have you known Mr. Impey, and what is his business?” he asked hurriedly, and in some embarrassment, for he did not know how close a friend the foreigner might be to the ambassador’s family.
“What has that to do with it?” Helen asked.
“I’ll tell you presently,” Phil insisted, “after you’ve answered my question.”
“I have known Mr. Impey since we came to Japan,” she returned haughtily; “he is a very warm friend of father’s. What his business is I haven’t the remotest idea. He owns a yacht, and an automobile. I don’t believe he really has any steady business except society. One always sees him out.”
Phil smiled grimly. The girl’s description of Impey’s occupation more than ever made him feel suspicious. Could he trust himself to ask another question? He decided to take the risk and brave Helen’s displeasure if she divined the course of his mind.
“Was Mr. Impey in Yokohama this morning?” he asked abruptly.
“Yes, I am sure he was,” she answered innocently, not dreaming of Phil’s reason for asking the question. “While we were driving to the garden fête he told us he had come up on the train with the American officers through the help of his friend, Baron Kosuba.”
Phil’s eyes were fairly dancing with delight; but Helen’s face was turned away; the music had ceased and the dancers were coming out into the garden.