“Then so far the secret is safe,” Captain Inaba replied. His voice showed relief. “The Americans could hardly have had it translated so soon.”
“There is a Japanese on board the ‘Alaska’; he is Captain Rodgers’ steward,” Impey interjected. “He would be able to read the letter if there had been time. One of my friends said the steward was on the train with the sailors.”
Captain Inaba smiled. He knew that Raku could be trusted. Then if Impey had not translated it the secret was as yet safe.
“You can translate our language, Mr. Impey?” Captain Inaba questioned quietly. “If the secret then is out, you naturally fall under suspicion. The letter was in regard to the ships our Emperor has considered buying.”
Impey raised his hand to his throat, something seemed choking him, before he answered.
“I did not read the letter,” he said in a frightened voice. “The seal was broken when it came to me. Why should I wish to inform the Americans of a secret which I have been as anxious as yourself to keep? You must remember, Captain Inaba,” he went on with attempted dignity, “that it is merely a business affair with me. As agent I have agreed to sell you these ships at a price stipulated.”
Inaba’s eyes flashed.
“Are you quite sure, Mr. Impey,” he asked coldly, “that you have not two strings to your bow?”
Impey paled as he heard the words and wished he had remained on board his yacht, instead of trusting himself back in Tokyo. He had risked much in this return; but this he was willing to do if he could be sure of preventing the reception of the American captain by the Emperor. This meeting Impey feared. He had heard of the letter written by the President of the United States, and believed that if this letter was read by the Mikado that Japan would decide not to buy the Chinese ships, thereby making his work of a year profitless.
“As for the secret being in the hands of the Americans, I cannot say,” Impey said quickly, appearing not to have considered Captain Inaba’s accusation of duplicity. “The letter was in the keeping of the Americans all night. It has been through many hands. I took it from the midshipmen while they were dressing for the reception at the prime minister’s.” This Impey decided to say, although it was untrue, hoping that Captain Inaba’s suspicions might be diverted from himself to the Americans. He in truth had obtained the letter from Wells and had but finished its translation when the two Japanese detectives interrupted him.