Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-04

lGSGIy ginning of the ceremonies within were
employed by the samurai still on
guard outside in scrutinizng the cards of those
citizens whose rank permitted them to fill the
vacant rear Of the hall.
| AT first the samurai exacting in their task, ex-
amined carefully the invitation Of each appli-
can't When, however, those in charge warned
them that the time was short, they crowded
ceremoniousy within their lines into the hall,
while those without, whether card-holders or not,
were driven back roughly.
| The movement had been noted in its first
stages by Mori, who with Toro and Jiro had
been forcing his way steadily towards the guard
ing samura. When the first press of the reject
| ed smote him on all sides, he turned to Jiro
IF we are separated in this turmoil, / would
charge you, Jiro-" he began.
Ihe sudden interpositon of double rank of
samurai drove him back, while it swept his com
panons within the circle Of those being forced
into the Treaty House. Turning, Jiro watched
Mori struggle under the disadvantage the crowd
imposed upon him. Then, with resigned smile
and shrug of the shoulders, Mori made to Jiro
sign of writing. A moment more and Toro
and Jiro found themselves within the audience
chamber. They gained places beside an opening
through which the samurai preserving order out.
side could be seen.
| When the American commodore addressed his
first words to the interpreter, the Lord of Catzu
arose. Toro and Jiro whispered together as
they caught sight of the gorgeous figure. The
interpreter translated to him the words of the
American. Then through the interpreter the
Lord of Catzu made reply:
august sir, Lord Admiral of the unknown
feet we will have joy in answering your honor.
able questons-any and all-in good time" he
said. "But first allow us to offer our apologies
We were unable to provide you with arm-chairs
such as your excellency is accustomed to occupy
on board your honorable ships; for that reason
we greatly panied, and trust you will over
look our impoliteness. But that chair which YOU
now fill and whose brothers we humbly occupy
out of compliment to your excellency, resembles
it so far as our abilities have been able to COPY
The American commodore looked at the chair
| he occupied If the first words of the commits
sioner appealed at all to his risibilities, he was
both too courteous a gentleman and too astute
a diplomat to betray any sign His face was
grave to solemnity he regarded the superb
workmanship of the chair upon which he sat,
plainly an Oriental Interpretation Of an Ameri-
can article.
"The chair is comfortable. It serves its pur-
pose and honors its makers" he made reply.
''But I desire before presenting my credentials
to question the prince-commissioners."
Some one tapped Jiro lightly upon the shoul-
der Looking about, he saw that a samurai, half
extended through the window, had thus drawn
his attention; and he was making him the
peculiar secret sign of the Imperialist, that of
dropping suddenly downward the left hand with
the little finger extended. Jiro looked into the
face of the samurai Genji, where smile of pc
culiar meaning shone. In the shock of surprise,
Jiros face was raised so that Genji's eyes gazed
closely upon the entire contour, as for a moment
the hair fell back from the youths brow. In
stantly the smile in Genji's face changed His
expression became involved In it, Jiro read
surprise, then delight, distrust, and apprehen-
sion.
| AS ,Jiro's eyes met Genji's again, the crimson
flushed with sudden violence the lads cheeks
His eyes sank Genji slipped into his hand
tiny roll.
'SWhat is it ?" whispered Toro.
"Genji," said Jiro, with an expression of ter
| ror; "hc recognized me-"
"But what did he want?"
Then Jro recalled the paper in his hands He
opened it with trembling fingers It was brief,
and from Mori, who had evidently trusted his
old friend Genji to deliver IL to his attendant
Jiro.
'If aught is said Of the cause, defendl" he
read
"What is the meaning?" said Toro.
''Planly what he says" returned Jiro; 'if
any one speaks i'll of the cause I am to silence
and confound him"
Ioro smiled with superiority.
''You!" he whispered lit is for me-
! With a passionate movement OF negation, Jiro
thrust the epistle into his bosom.
''Do nothing" urged Toro; "if you disturb this
gathering you are as good as dead. For sa-