Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station. Or, Winning Lieutenants' Commissions on the Admiral's Flagship
TextCHAPTER XVIII – MR. KATURA DOES SOME ASTOUNDING
“Katura, my dear fellow, I’m immensely sorry to have kept you waiting,” cried Dave genially, as he entered the parlor. His nod took in Toruma and Hata as well.
“The waiting has not been tiresome,” replied Katura coldly, rising to his feet, as did his comrades in arms.
“And now, Katura,” Dave went on, “I am going to ask you if you can clear up the mystery as to how this medallion, this magnificent heirloom of yours, fell into Mrs. Darrin’s hands.”
“I came to see if you could account for that,” replied the little lieutenant coldly, though his face still wore a smile.
“Why, what do you mean?” asked Dave. “All I know is that, upon my return, I found that Mrs. Darrin had been presented, under very strange circumstances, with this medallion, which I instantly recognized as yours.”
“I saw it in her hand when she opened the door to us,” Katura answered. “Beyond that, about all that I know, Mr. Darrin, is that, upon my arrival at the Okugawa Bank, I found the box missing from the pocket in which I had placed it.”
“Then it was not you who sent this box and its contents to Mrs. Darrin?” the American ensign demanded.
“I did not send it to her,” Katura rejoined.
“Then how did she come to receive it?”
“That is what I have come to ask you, Mr. Darrin,” returned the little infantry lieutenant.
“What do you mean?” asked Dave, coloring slightly, for, despite the smiles on the three Japanese faces, there was something accusing in their manners.
“How did this box happen to reach your wife?” asked Lieutenant Hata, gravely.
Dave frankly related the circumstances as told him by his wife.
“If we could see the note, that might throw some light on the matter,” suggested Lieutenant Hata, darkly.
“That is the curious part of it, gentlemen,” said Dave, gravely. “Soon after the gift came that note disappeared, and neither Mrs. Darrin nor I have been able to find any trace of it.”
“That is certainly remarkable,” said Hata, with emphasis.
“Very remarkable,” agreed Toruma.
“So remarkable,” added Katura, “that I cannot comprehend it at all.”
“At any rate, before I leave Tokio,” proposed Darrin, “I shall hope to have the whole matter cleared up.”
For the second time Lieutenant Katura’s face flushed a fiery red. He could not help feeling that he was being lightly or insolently used. In his own mind the Japanese was not prepared to suspect an American officer and gentleman of deliberate theft.
“Mr. Darrin,” asked Katura, “is this your idea of a really clever joke?”
“What do you mean, sir?” demanded Dave Darrin, flushing in turn.
“Can you realize, sir, how I must have felt,” the little lieutenant went on, “when my mother permitted me to take this medallion from the bank vault to show it to American friends, and then I returned to the bank to find that the heirloom was missing from my pocket?”
“I have told you all that I know about the matter,” Ensign Dave insisted with dignity. “Is that not enough?”
“No, sir, it is not!” replied Lieutenant Katura, firmly. “I trust you will pardon me when I say that it was all a very stupid joke!”
“Joke?” gasped Dave. “Do you mean – ”
He paused, unwilling to finish the sentence, for it seemed to him that this angry little Japanese had suddenly thrown a doubt around Mrs. Darrin’s word.
“You have no further explanation to offer me?” asked Katura frigidly.
“There is no other explanation to be offered, sir,” Dave Darrin returned, with equal stiffness.
“Then I am sorry, but I have to do – this!”
Advancing a step or two, Lieutenant Katura landed the flat of his right hand across the cheek of the American ensign.
Swifter than a flash Ensign Darrin returned the insult in the same manner.
“That is enough of this, between gentlemen,” exclaimed Lieutenant Toruma, leaping between the two angry young officers. Hata followed, saying:
“Quite enough!”
“The rest,” remarked Toruma, “can be settled in a much different fashion.”
Dave cooled down a bit, realizing that he had sustained himself by returning the insult in the same form in which it had been delivered. Unless he were struck again he did not propose to discredit himself by brawling in the parlor of a hotel.
Katura, after a moment of sullenness, flashed at Toruma a look that the latter quite understood.
“Have you any idea, Mr. Darrin,” Toruma asked, “when I shall be fortunate enough to find Mr. Dalzell in?”
“Probably at about five-thirty,” Dave answered. “He will wish to dress, and we dine at six.”
“Then we will do ourselves the honor of wishing you good afternoon,” said Hata, bowing low. In another moment the three Japanese had left the room.
“Well, of all the odd experiences!” muttered Ensign Darrin, frowning. After a moment or two he left the parlor, going direct to his apartment.
“Was it Mr. Katura who sent me that medallion?” asked Belle, at once.
“He says not,” Dave answered.
“Then who – ”
“Belle, dear, do you mind letting me think this little puzzle out in silence?” begged Dave.
For a long time he sat silent. At last he told Belle what had happened below.
“But why should Mr. Katura strike you?” asked Belle, her eyes flashing.
“That is what I cannot understand,” Dave rejoined, in a hurt tone. “I have looked upon Katura as a fine little fellow, and I imagine him to be the soul of honor.”
“Does he doubt your word, then, about the manner in which the medallion came into our possession?” Belle quizzed.
“He had better not,” her young husband retorted. “I would not be patient under an insinuation that my word is doubted. Belle, I cannot explain any single part of the matter.”
So the pair talked it over for a long time, but no point in the tangle became a whit clearer.
Late in the afternoon there came a knock at the door.
“Come in,” called Dave.
“Hullo! There you are,” cried Danny Grin, opening the door a little and showing his head. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Darrin. Dave, old fellow, have you time to favor me with just a little visit in my room?”
“Why, certainly,” assented Darrin, rising at once, for there was suppressed excitement in Dalzell’s voice.
Dan, however, remained silent until he had led the way down the corridor and had closed the door of his room on the chums.
“Now, Dave,” gasped the other young ensign, “what is all this about?”
“What is what about?” parried Dave.
“Why,” Danny rattled on, “there is some yarn about Katura’s medallion having come into your possession. You and Katura had some words in the parlor, and he struck you in the face.”
“And I promptly returned the blow in kind,” Darrin responded.
“Exactly,” nodded Dalzell. “That appears to have been the start that is to lead up to something very pretty. When I came in I found Toruma and Hata awaiting me. They told me that Katura had sent them to see me, or any other friend or friends who you may prefer, to arrange for a meeting at which the memory of the blows exchanged should be wiped out. In plain words, David, little giant, you are challenged to fight a duel with Lieutenant Katura.”
“A duel?” echoed Dave Darrin, aghast. “That’s a joke!”
“If it is,” retorted Danny Grin, dryly, “then please help me to find out the point at which I am to laugh.”
“But I have sworn to uphold the laws of the United States and to obey the regulations of the United States Navy,” Dave continued, “and dueling is against the regulations.”
“It looks,” returned Dan, soberly, “as though you would have to fight, or ‘lose face.’”
“And if I engage in a duel,” Dave retorted, “I have perjured myself, for I shall have broken the regulations that I am sworn to obey.”
“Well, then,” Dan inquired, “what are you going to do? Go back aboard the ‘Katahdin’ and forego all shore leave as long as we are in Japanese waters? But, for that matter, would naval officers of any foreign service respect you anywhere in the world? For the officers of most navies still fight duels at need, and the Japanese officers would be likely to snub you, in every foreign port, for what they would consider your ‘shame.’”
“But on what basis am I expected to fight?” Dave demanded. “Because I answered Katura’s blow on the face?”
“I suppose that is the pretended reason,” Dalzell answered, gravely. “Of course every one familiar with dueling will know that some deeper cause exists.”
“It must be the inexplicable matter of the medallion that makes Katura so anxious to slit my windpipe with a sword, or drive a bullet through my breast,” Dave went on. “I must tell you, Dan, all that I know about this wretched matter of the medallion.”
Danny Grin’s eyes opened wider and wider as he heard the tale.
“That’s the story,” nodded Dalzell vigorously, when he had heard it all. “I understand now. Katura can’t think that you stole the medallion. That would be altogether contrary to the nature of an officer and a gentleman. But he figures that you took the medallion from him as a joke, and when he realizes that you, in turn, might have lost it, and thinks of the anguish of his mother, who owns the medallion, then Katura’s blood is up, and he must fight you. Hence, he gave you the blow in the face, which you returned. Therefore, according to the ideals of the duello, you owe him a meeting on the field of honor.”
“That field of honor will have grown into a forest, if he waits until I meet him there,” Dave declared firmly.
“Then you simply won’t fight a duel.”
“I shall not!”
“What grounds shall I give for your refusal?”
“Simply tell Katura’s seconds that duelling is against the United States Naval Regulations, which I have sworn to obey and uphold. Tell Mr. Katura’s seconds that I decline, on any pretext, to break the regulations knowingly.”
“Whew!” whistled Danny Grin. “The Japanese smile is historic, and a thing of beauty, but I can see the assortment of Japanese smiles that will greet any such reply on my part. I shall get a regular Japanese horse laugh!”
“Then when you meet Toruma and Hata, cut the interview as short as you can,” Dave suggested, “and get it over with. But make it as plain as you know how that I simply won’t fight a duel.”
“Oh, I can make it plain enough, and they will believe me in a minute – no trouble about that,” Dan murmured as he rose. “But they will decline to believe in your lofty ideas of right and wrong, and will set it all down to plain American cowardice.”
“I am sorry to impose any such errand upon you, Danny boy,” sighed Dave. “But I will go with you, and speak for myself.”
“Oh, that wouldn’t do at all,” protested Dan, aghast. “In dueling the principal never goes to meet the other chap’s seconds. His own second must do that for him.”
“But there isn’t going to be any duel,” smiled Dave, “and I am not a principal, nor are you my second. You are my friend, and the best in the world, but you will never be my second.”
“There’s going to be the dickens of a mix-up,” grunted Dalzell, as, after wringing Darrin’s hand, he moved toward the door. “I’ll do the best I can, but you must expect, after declining a duel, to be snubbed everywhere in Tokio.”
“Then I shall endeavor to set Tokio an example in calmness,” smiled Dave again. But the instant that the door had closed on him, and he strolled down the hallway, a thoughtful frown came to his face.
In the meantime Dan Dalzell was hastening below, on a by no means pleasant mission.
Just now Dave did not want to go back to Belle, for fear she might question him. After a turn or two he went back to Dalzell’s room.
Half an hour later, growing impatient, Dave decided to go below and to address Toruma and Hata himself.
Down in the lobby Ensign Dave beheld Lieutenants Toruma and Hata, talking with two men who looked like Englishmen.
“Dan must have finished his part,” thought Dave. “I’ll see if I can draw Toruma aside.”
Just as Dave Darrin approached the group Toruma caught sight of him.
Some low-voiced remark ran through the group.
“May I have a word with you, Mr. Toruma, at your convenience?” Dave inquired.
There was no reply. The two Japanese and the English pair merely wheeled about abruptly, turning their backs upon him.
CHAPTER XIX – DAN FIRES A WARM SHOT
Flushing slightly, though with no other outward sign, Dave turned upon his heel and left the group.
“I can understand the attitude of the Japanese officers, but why should Englishmen turn against me?” Dave wondered. “The average Englishman has no more patience with silly dueling than we Americans have.”
It would have done Dave’s heart good, just then, had he known how Danny Grin had met and talked to the two Japanese seconds.
On hearing that Ensign Darrin would not, under any circumstances, consent to a duel, Toruma and Hata had smiled as genially as Dan had expected they would do.
“I don’t know,” pursued Dan, “whether you can understand the feelings that prompt an officer to decline a duel.”
“The reason that comes most quickly to mind,” replied Toruma, “is the feeling of fear.”
“Gentlemen, if you think that my friend, Darrin, is afraid of anything that is honorable, then you are poor judges of human nature,” Dan replied, with some warmth.
“But why should a naval man hesitate to accept the appeal to arms?” inquired Toruma, with another smile.
“Darrin, to my positive knowledge, never did meet any call to arms with anything except calm joy,” Dalzell replied warmly. “In this present instance, if one of Mr. Darrin’s superior officers gave him an order to meet Mr. Katura on the field of honor, Darrin would be there ahead of time. But Mr. Darrin took the oath of the service, binding him to obey the Navy regulations, and one of those regulations expressly forbids him to fight duels, or to take any part in one.”
“What shall we tell Mr. Katura?” pressed Hata darkly.
“Tell him anything you please,” offered Danny Grin obligingly.
“But he will feel at once, as we do, that Mr. Darrin declines the meeting because Mr. Darrin has not the valor to meet a resolute man on the field of honor.”
Danny Grin looked thoughtful for a minute. Then he glanced up to ask:
“How much actual military service, under fire, have you seen, Mr. Toruma?”
“It has not, as yet, been my good fortune to see any,” replied Lieutenant Toruma.
“And you, Mr. Hata, may I inquire what is the extent of your service?”
“I have been as unfortunate in that respect as my friend, Toruma,” replied Hata.
“Mr. Katura must have seen some active, hard service,” pressed Danny Grin.
“Alas, no,” Toruma answered, “Mr. Katura has not been any more fortunate than have we.”
“Darrin has seen some service,” Danny Grin went on calmly. “He was commended in orders for gallant and daring work when the Navy took Vera Cruz. Then, down in Vengara, in South America, in a revolution, he went, with one companion, into the wilds of Vengara to visit the camp of the former dictator, Benedito, who had an army behind him, fighting the government of Vengara. With the help of only that one companion, Darrin, in the heart of Benedito’s own army, took the ex-dictator captive, at the point of a revolver, and brought him through the forests, through the government lines as well, and turned General Benedito over to the United States forces.”
“That was a splendid deed,” bowed Toruma.
“Have you heard of the recent conduct of our Navy at Nu-ping, China?” Dan asked.
“Oh, yes,” nodded Toruma. “That was an excellently managed affair, and one highly creditable to your Navy.”
“The officer who was in command at Nu-ping,” continued Dalzell, “was David Darrin, Ensign, United States Navy.”
“He did a splendid act,” admitted Lieutenant Toruma, bowing.
“And now,” added Lieutenant Hata, “he impresses others as being afraid to meet a gentleman on the field of honor!”
“When a man has such a record, don’t officers like you and Mr. Katura, who have never smelled burning powder, feel like boys criticizing the courage of a veteran?” asked Dan dryly. With the words, Dan, with one of his famous and sardonic grins, turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the two very much ruffled young Japanese officers.
Dave Darrin, after his rebuff in the lobby, stepped slowly toward the door.
“I’ll go outside for a while before I go back to Belle,” he decided.
Within five minutes he ran into Dalzell, who at once told him of the interview with the two Japanese.
“The end is not yet,” sighed Dave. “But now suppose we return and dress for dinner. Remember, no word of this to Belle. I don’t want her vacation spoiled if I can help it.”
But could he help it? Apparently no one at the tables noticed Belle and the two young ensigns as they made their way through the dining room.
“Did you notice, Dave, that none of the Japanese officers, and there were a good many of them in the room, rose and bowed to me tonight? What can the matter be?”
“Let us hope,” answered Dave, “they’re absorbed in their own affairs.”
Belle noted, however, that throughout the meal and on their leaving the room, no one except some United States naval officers and two American infantry officers on leave offered them the slightest courtesy.
Leaving Belle in the parlor, the two young officers returned to the lobby. They were shortly approached by Lieutenant Commander Emery of the “Katahdin.”
“Hullo, Darrin. Evening, Dalzell. Now Darrin, what is this rumor about your refusing to meet a Japanese officer on the field?” he asked abruptly.
“There was a challenge, yes,” admitted Dave. “I declined on the ground that our regulations forbid dueling.”
“Of course you couldn’t fight,” responded the lieutenant commander. “But hadn’t you better go back to the ship and remain there as long as she lies in Yokohama?”
“And give up my vacation with Belle?”
“Don’t you realize what it means in some countries to decline a duel, Darrin? You’ll be an outcast in Tokio. For Mrs. Darrin’s sake, don’t remain ashore and let her be tormented by the studied coldness that will be shown you everywhere in Tokio.”
“They may think me a coward for not fighting, but I can’t be coward enough to run from the consequences, though I dislike to involve Belle in this.”
“Here comes Decoeur of the French Navy,” said Lieutenant Commander Emery suddenly. “I want to shake hands with him.”
Decoeur, looking slightly embarrassed, shook hands very cordially with Emery, who then rather abruptly introduced his brother officers, Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell.
The French officer gave the ensigns only the shadow of a bow. His hand did not come forward. Then he passed stiffly on.
“You see,” said Emery. “You understand what the attitude in Tokio will be. Are you going to subject Mrs. Darrin to such humiliations?”
“I don’t see how I can avoid it,” replied Dave, sick at heart on Belle’s account.
CHAPTER XX – CONCLUSION
“Isn’t this delightful?” cried Belle, holding up a card that she had received in the mail that morning. “Mrs. Fullerton of the Embassy has secured for us this invitation to the reception that the Prime Minister of Japan gives to the Emperor this afternoon at the Prime Minister’s official residence.”
“There’ll be a dreadful crush there,” replied Dave, with a secret sinking at heart.
“Of course, if you don’t care to go – ” began Belle considerately.
“Of course I want to go,” Dave returned bravely. “Do you think we’d miss such an event as this will certainly be?”
“Going to the reception this afternoon?” asked Dan a little later.
“Certainly; Belle has a card for us.”
“And yet Toruma and Hata say that you have no courage!”
“Are you invited?” Dave asked.
“Oh, yes. And going, of course.”
Three o’clock that afternoon the young people entered the carriage that Dave had ordered. The drive to the Prime Minister’s residence was not long, but it took time to get through the crush of carriages that filled the last two blocks. Even after the carriage had delivered its passengers at the door, it was another long time before the Darrin party succeeded in making its way through the throng to the hall in which the reception was being held.
As yet their Majesties had not arrived. The Prime Minister and his wife were receiving guests. Their Majesties would arrive late and depart not long afterwards.
The names of Ensign and Mrs. Darrin and Ensign Dalzell, United States Navy, were called at the door. Only those nearest the entrance could hear the names announced. But at the mention of theirs, Dave could see many an epauleted shoulder turn aside so as not to see the Darrin party.
In due time they made their bows to Prime Minister Kotito and his wife. Then they were swept to the far end of the room. Presently Lieutenant Commander Emery came to them.
“Darrin,” he said, after greeting Belle, “word has come that their Majesties are on their way. According to custom, the officers of whatever service or country who may be present are going out. In the street, they will take places on the outer edge of the throng and salute the Emperor and the Empress. I’ll take Mrs. Darrin to the Embassy party, then return and go outside with you.”
“You are very kind,” replied Dave, and Belle, accepting Emery’s arm, was led away.
Emery was back quickly, but just outside the house he was accidentally separated from the two ensigns.
“Suppose we go farther up the street, Dave,” suggested Dan. “I’d like to be in the very first squad to salute their Majesties.”
So past the uniformed groups and through the crowd the two made their way. When they halted they were about fifty feet beyond the nearest group of uniformed men.
The procession came into sight. Just before the imperial carriage reached the spot where they stood, both ensigns brought up their hands in a military salute. Then, so rapidly that it seemed part of the same movement, they raised their caps in homage to the Empress.
The Emperor beheld the salute and bent his head in acknowledgment of the tribute.
Spt! Spt! Sizz-zz!
Dave Darrin’s military training made him start at the sound. Taller by a head than the Japanese in front of him, Dave’s eye caught sight of something that escaped the other onlookers.
“Quick, Dan!” he shouted. “A leg up!”
Though Dalzell did not know what the trouble was, he seized Dave below the hips, raising him as though to boost him over a high wall.
Over the heads of those in front of him plunged Dave Darrin. He came down, grappling with a sullen-looking Japanese, who, crouching over, held something concealed.
Spt! Sizz-zz!
Dave grappled with the man, who was trying to conceal the sputtering bomb preparatory to throwing it. Down in a heap went Dave and the Japanese, the sizzing bomb under both.
Standing close to the scoundrel with the bomb, were three other political malcontents, and these men now let knives slip down from their sleeves and sprang at the young ensign.
By this time Dan had reached his friend’s side and, using his fist, struck down the fellow who was nearest to Dave.
Frightened screams arose on the air as word flew through the crowd.
Police heard, and, understanding, charged through the crowd. Soldiers heard, and used their clubbed rifles in an effort to get through to the scene of disorder.
Meanwhile, Dave Darrin was fighting with the man underneath him – the man who held the bomb that was about to explode. Suddenly Dave leaped up, leaving his opponent unconscious. In the half-second before getting to his feet, Darrin had taken the sputtering, glowing fuse between finger and thumb. Though his hand was being burned and blistered, he held on until he knew that the danger was past.
“Throw it away from their Majesties’ carriage,” implored the Japanese who could speak English.
“No need to now!” called Dave steadily, holding up the bomb to show the fuse was out.
In these few pulsing moments the speed of the Emperor’s carriage had not been increased. Neither the ruler nor his consort looked about.
The crowd was wild, and would have torn the miscreants to pieces, but the police blocked the attempt, and the men were marched away.
Dave and Dan were trying to hide themselves by mingling with the crowd, but a Japanese army officer, a general of division, hurried up to them, followed by members of his staff.
“Pardon, gentlemen, you must not go yet. You have done Japan a great service. The Government must know the names of such brave officers.”
Though reluctant to do so, the ensigns were forced by courtesy to give their names to General Kagi, as he introduced himself. Through the crowd, silent through respect for the Americans and thankfulness for the safety of their sovereigns, the general led the way to the residence of the Prime Minister. There was a conversation with a high official, then General Kagi said:
“Gentlemen, since this is a public reception, their Majesties wish to thank you in public for your heroic conduct this day.”
“It will be very embarrassing, General,” Dave answered, smiling but hesitant.
Having traversed a long corridor and several rooms, Dave and Dan looked through a door that was opened to them to a dais where the imperial pair stood under a canopy.
At sight of General Kagi and the youths, several resplendent officials came forward, and Darrin and Dalzell were conducted to this dais. At a signal, Dave and Dan made a low bow.
First the Emperor thanked the young officers for what they had done, speaking in Japanese and having it immediately repeated in English. Then her Majesty said a few words.
“You may reply,” whispered an official.
Making another low bow, Darrin answered:
“I am grateful to have been permitted to render some service to their Majesties, the Emperor and the Empress of Japan.”
Dan’s face, at first fiery red, went pale as he in turn made another low bow. He could think of nothing to say. His mind seemed blank. He felt he was going to make a fool of himself. But his head was now as low as he could make it, and he knew he must say something. Then, his voice sounding as though some one across the room were speaking, Dan heard himself say:
“Mine were but a pair of hands to assist my comrade. Neither of us was moved from within in the little that we were able to do. We were but the tools of Providence, which could not see the virtues of their Majesties perish.”
Though all Japanese eyes were downcast, there was a flash of gratitude in every pair as Dan’s speech was put into Japanese; though Dan himself could never be made to understand what a tactful one it was.
Dave and Dan having followed their conductors to the right of the dais, his Majesty spoke briefly for the Empress and himself, the words being translated into English and French for the benefit of the divers nationalities represented. Their Majesties then withdrew and the reception was soon over, though Dave and Dan found themselves embarrassed frequently during the next few days by impromptu receptions in all sorts of places – shops, streets, the hotel lobby – by grateful and admiring crowds.
It was on the day following the reception at the Prime Minister’s residence that Dave received a note. Belle and Dan were present when he got it, and, apologizing, he broke the seal. Then he read aloud the brief note from Katura.
“‘That I did you a deep wrong I am convinced. I shall not crave your pardon until I am able to do more. I trust you will not leave Tokio before I have the honor of seeing you. All I can now say is that I am investigating.’”
“What does he mean?” asked Belle wonderingly. “I have of course known something was wrong, for I could see that we were avoided; but I knew you were trying to keep it from me, so did not ask questions. But – ”
“Yes, you had better know the whole story. Perhaps I should have told you at first,” replied Dave. So he told her all, not without help from Dan, who thought Dave too modest.
Dave wanted to get out of Tokio and away from the unwelcome publicity. But Belle persuaded him to await Katura’s explanation. It came within three or four days.
Toruma called at the hotel. Dave met him with cordiality, then the Japanese said:
“I have come on account of my friend, Mr. Katura. Mr. Katura’s regrettable challenge grew out of the affair of the medallion.”
“Under the circumstances,” said Dave, “I can not blame him for suspecting me of stealing it.”
“Not stealing it! He thought it an inconsiderate joke! An American told us that he had seen you slip your hand into Katura’s pocket and take out a lacquer box. That box belongs to Katura’s mother and is very precious to her.”
“An American?”
“Yes; Simmons. But he was working for a man, English or American, named Pembroke.”
Then Dave understood. Pembroke, angered by the humiliation at the yamen and more so because he himself had confessed when he thought he was about to die, had hired this man to help him in his scheme of vengeance.
“This Simmons is a criminal and has keys that open many doors, so, after delivering the package to Mrs. Darrin, he later entered the room and secured the note that had gone with the box.”
“Why did they not sell the medallion?”
“That would have been impossible. It is too well known here for anyone to handle it safely.”
Katura called and tried to apologize, something that Dave Darrin would not allow. He asked Katura and Toruma and Hata to dinner to meet Belle, and the officers parted as friends.
It was a year later that Dave and Dan heard that Bishop Whitlock and his missionaries had gone back to Nu-ping and that a new governor had been appointed for the province. They learned, too, that “Burnt-face” was dead of cholera and that Miss Chapin was married to her missionary lover.
The ensigns’ leave was up, and, parting regretfully with Belle, they returned to their ship. There they found new honors awaiting them. On their arrival the Admiral sent for them and read them a despatch, signed by the Secretary of the Navy.
“‘The President directs that you extend to Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell his thanks and commendation for their conduct in preventing the assault on the Emperor and Empress of Japan. At appropriate time you will publicly commend these officers.’”
They learned too that as soon as they expressed their willingness to accept the honor they would be commissioned as lieutenants, junior grade.
“Accept! You bet we’ll accept!” said Dan, but not in those words before the Admiral.
One other honor was to come to them. The Emperor bestowed on them the decoration, second class, of the Order of the Rising Sun, a decoration that Congress allowed them to accept.