When he had entered he felt a delicate situation had arisen, but his own confusion in being surprised had made it impossible for him to analyze the causes. Had Impey then given the ambassador the contents of this important letter? His spies had told him that Impey had held the letter; but why should he divulge it to the American ambassador? Sago stood silently watching the sphinx-like face which betrayed nothing of the methodical reasoning within Inaba’s mind. Then the naval man nodded and smiled, patting the steward on the back as one would reward a child for a favor done.
The cable was his first thought. In answer to a bell several underlings quietly appeared. Inaba wrote hastily, sealed the letter, and a messenger quickly departed. No cable messages would leave the country until censored by Inaba. That order he had given by a stroke of the pen. The knowledge of the contents of the last letter would remain in Japan until the time had passed when it could do harm. The next letter was quickly despatched. It would prevent the British yacht “Sylvia” from leaving Yokohama harbor until he, Inaba, authorized its release. “Raku, our Emperor does not forget the faithful,” Inaba said after he had finished his writing. “Remain true to your conscience and the honor of your ancestors.” Sago withdrew, a grateful look in his eyes.
Then Inaba drew out from a drawer in his desk the letter found the night before in the American midshipmen’s room. His knowledge of English writing was not great, but as Takishima had not put in an appearance, he read on slowly, laboriously, seeking words frequently in a dictionary at his side. The situation had become more perplexing. Here was an article calculated to arouse the Japanese people against the American naval visitors, written in English and intended for a newspaper supposedly owned by a foreign syndicate. Takishima had brought him the word the night before that the midshipman had denied that the lost letter had been found by their sailors, and Takishima was quite confident that his classmate was honorable. Yet here was a letter found in his room which showed conclusively that he was not honorable.
And then came Sago’s information that the American sailors held the lost letter and had even asked him to translate it. Inaba felt that a great crisis had been reached. It was apparent to him that America was endeavoring to force a crisis on Japan through this visit of the “Alaska.” When this decision was reached the long projected and assiduously studied plans should immediately be put in operation. Then Japan would stand ready on guard, but would not strike the first blow unless her honor demanded it.
Inaba sat at his desk deep in thought. His dreams of a great war with a power worthy of his country’s steel made his blood quicken. From the battle between two such fleets as America and Japan would pit against each other, many naval lessons yet unlearned, even as yet unthought, would be demonstrated. It would be a fight that would stand out in raised letters on the pages of the world’s history, and he would be the man to whom future naval historians would give credit for the wonderful victory on the seas won by the Japanese fleet, for Captain Inaba was certain of success. It would be due of course entirely to the great virtue of his Emperor. All Japanese would understand that, but the foreigners would lay it to the work of his methodical and far-seeing brain. A messenger had silently entered and spoke a few words in a low voice; scarcely hearing, Inaba had nodded, still deep in his revery. Then across his mental vision flashed a face and Impey stood before him—nervously smiling.
“I was the unconscious means of losing a valuable letter, Captain Inaba.” Impey’s manner was hasty and he talked as one not sure of his ground. The steely eyes of the Japanese gazed out on him uncompromisingly. His parchment-colored face was expressionless. “Fortunately I have been enabled to secure this letter, and it is now safe on board the yacht ‘Sylvia.’”
Inaba’s face did not move a muscle.
“Yes. I had already learned so, Mr. Impey, and had given orders to prevent her sailing.”
Impey’s face was a picture of confusion and embarrassment. This little Japanese he had always feared, attributing to him powers more than human. He knew that Inaba suspected him, and that the two men who had assaulted him in his own rooms were Inaba’s men. He then must know that the letter had been in his hands. The sailors had taken it from one of these men before he could deliver it to Captain Inaba. Impey knew nothing of Phil’s interruption.
“The letter came into my hands, its seal broken,” he said nervously. “It was taken from me at my home, and not until this morning did I find out who had caused it to be impossible to return the letter to you as I intended.” Impey’s courage slowly returned as he hastily explained while Inaba’s cold eyes looked on unmoved. “The sailors showed the letter to two of my friends, and they contrived to get them on board my yacht where they are now under lock and key, awaiting your pleasure.”