“Where? How on earth could that happen without your knowing it?” Helen’s eyes were opened wide in surprise. “With your coat on and also your cape?”
“I don’t know.” Phil’s answer was in the most dejected tone. “The whole way in the motor to the club my hand was over my pocket. I was on the point on two or three occasions of taking the letter out and giving it to Taki then and there. My conscience hurt me terribly, for I had given my solemn promise and I knew I was breaking it. I told myself I was only waiting to frame a story, for I didn’t want to tell him then how I had gained possession of it. When we arrived at the club, several Japanese attendants took our capes and caps and we went to Taki’s rooms to tidy up. As I took off my coat I felt in my pocket for the envelope, intending to give it to him then. Taki had his back turned. I saw the document was not there and what I had supposed was it was only a fold in the lining of my coat.”
“What did you do?” Helen asked breathlessly.
“What could I do?” Phil asked hopelessly. “I was stupefied with surprise. Then I thought he knew and was inwardly laughing at me and instead of telling him of the loss, I became sullen and resentful. Takishima’s face was as unconcerned as ever. I knew mine was red, for my ears burned. He appeared to notice nothing unusual. Sydney seemed to see that something was wrong and blurted out, ‘What’s wrong, Phil?’ and I mumbled something incoherently and felt myself becoming more confused and mortified than ever.”
“Do you believe Takishima really took the letter?” Helen asked anxiously. Her face showed the sympathy she felt.
“I’ve thought and thought,” Phil declared, “but I can’t make up my mind what I do think. It may not have fallen into Japanese hands at all, and if it has they will believe that I have broken my word in attempting to keep it and read it, and I had no such intentions. The seal was broken, so they will naturally believe that I am the guilty one.”
Phil’s head was bowed in his hands.
“I am so sorry,” Helen exclaimed compassionately. She realized that nothing could comfort him.
“If I only knew what to do.” Phil’s tones were almost tearful. “If I were man enough, I’d go to Taki and tell him the whole story, but I am not. I haven’t the nerve to acknowledge that I didn’t play fair.”
“You shall not run yourself down that way, Phil,” she insisted indignantly. His name escaped from her lips quite naturally, and to the lad it was a soothing balm. “I don’t care what you did, you were honest. You were going to give him the letter. How could you know that it would be stolen?”