Sago was indignant. “I wouldn’t ever fight against the United States,” he declared positively. “Sago think Japan no want to fight. Plenty soldiers and sailors, but no money.”
“Strike me blind, if there ain’t that yellow villain what carried the flag.” Marley was half out of his seat, his eyes staring at what appeared to be a Japanese servant by his dark blue livery. In his hands were several valises, and in front of him, just entering a compartment in the same car as our friends, were two Europeans.
“Our friend Randall,” O’Neil exclaimed as he laid a detaining arm about Marley’s waist. “Hold fast, Bill, there may be something in this. Just sit tight and wait. They ain’t going to get away until we reach Yokohama, because this is an express.”
“You got that paper there, Jack?” Marley asked as he saw O’Neil’s hand down inside his blouse.
“She’s safe anchored here,” O’Neil replied, “and I can’t keep my hands off it. I’ll bet a month’s pay it’s the same one that little Jap messenger lost.”
The two sailors had examined it the night before in their room by the faint light of a Japanese dip and the markings were the same as that described by Oka.
O’Neil drew a letter stealthily from his pocket, while Marley put his back against the door to ward off interruptions.
“Give us the dope of this in United States, Sago,” O’Neil ordered as he held out the official document to the awe-struck steward. Sago’s eyes were as big as saucers.
“Where you get him?” the Japanese asked, making a quick grab for the letter and in his excitement forgetting to speak good English.
“Belay there!” O’Neil cried angrily. “I’ll hold it right here and you can read it backward[2] to us.”