“Do you know the contents of this paper?” he asked breathlessly.
“Yes. I helped prepare it; it was addressed to the general board, the Emperor’s advisers,” Takishima answered without hesitation.
Phil breathed more freely. Then this paper was, as he had begun to suppose, a composition written by an English speaking person for the “Shimbunshi” and was in no way official. But what of the one Sydney had picked up and given to Impey’s companion? Might not that have been the lost official letter?
“Go on,” the midshipman urged, for he knew that Takishima had not opened the conversation simply to tell of the loss of the paper.
“Captain Inaba has just sent me word that he has discovered that one of the two sailors with you this afternoon picked up an envelope that in description resembled the lost document. They drove away with you, so it is natural to suppose that you know of the existence of this paper.” Takishima recalled Phil’s evident embarrassment when he had apologized for Captain Inaba’s abruptness. He now regarded the midshipman beseechingly.
“You realize what it will mean to Captain Inaba if the document is not found or if its contents are divulged?” he asked.
Phil shook his head.
“It will mean disgrace, worse to us than death.” Takishima’s voice was dramatic.
Phil thought quickly.
He would not tell him of the letter to the “Shimbunshi.” Not at least until he had shown the letter to Captain Rodgers and obtained his advice.