Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-13


The gods help Nippon!"
CHAPTER vi
SEIGO understood at last that the sleeping eagle
- preparing to descend from its aery with
mercllessly barred talons. In his flight to the city
he counted every moment of value, and through
his mind went but one thought: How to get news
to Japan in time to avert disaster. What he had
witnessed was convincing that he amazed
at the devilish ingenuity of the Americans who had
led the whole world to believe them defenseless
when they in reality only Turing other nations
to their doom He filled with resentment
The shoe was on the other foot now, and it made
a noticeable difference. When he believed the
United States poweress defend itself it had beer
only fit and proper that Japan should harry her
conquer if possible, and gain concessions of terri
tory and money indemnity; but with the knowledge
that the country not only in position to care
for itself but also to conquer enemy, he viewed
things in entirely different light.
Worst of all he realized that he was more largely
responsible for the outburst of than any other
man and aside from the ignominy which must be I'M
posed upon his people the apprehension of what
might happen to his precious head when resent
ment CHANGED to against him. Yesterday he had
been smiling, supercilious, and confident Tonight
he ran, he was terrified ashamed, and despairing
Information had come to him that the blockade
was complete, and in no instance was he certain
that any of his reports had passed through the lines
He rapidly reviewed the chances, and decided thar
he must get word to every at his command to
strive to pass a warning through to Canadian ter
rtory where it might be cabled to Japan. He counted
with Japanese reasoning, on his ability to bribe some
along the border forgetting that when American
patriotism at full tide money has little weight
He had large funds at command and in a crisis like
this ready to pour them out lavshly.
His return to the Capital rapid as he strained
his physical powers to their utmost and he was
almost exhausted when he reached the section
where his Chinese ally dwelt. With dragging steps
he turning down a street when sharp whis-
pered calling of his name from the depths of hall
way arrested him. Stepping inside he recognized
his friend. The instant he was under the of
darkness he was grasped by the and hurried
through doorway and up fight of stairs. He
would have demonstrated this strange proceeding
had not his conductor numbled Come fast and ask
nothing It's your only chance to save your life
Through long corridor where there
lights, to back porch which overhung Skeleton,
like from the building in which the residents
evidently all asleep, down another flight Of rckety
stairs, and into vacant space presumably d bact;
yard. he followed Not until they reached this
secluded place did he have chance to ask an
explanation, and then, before he could formulate
question, it volunteered.
after you They watching the house inside and
They've seized your papers and everything
else in the place escaped and brought you money
with which to go.
. But my men
Arrested as fast as they came; taken quietly
away, and now in prison..
Meredith too?"
Yes he was taken in the street above
Sego gasped in establishment. But there must
be who got away:
No, not even You're the only man left
The Americans a terrible people They have
hoodwinked you until the time was ripe then
reached out and caught you all as fisherman with
his net takes in school of minnows Even
they waiting for you, and you'll have to act
quick they will get you too"
The spy felt suddenly that he had underestimated
the enemy completely An involuntary shudder
contracted his muscles when he comprehen ded that
not only had he been watched until the propitous
time for his taking but that he had been deliberately
played with, unconscious mouse beneath the
eyes of vigilant Worst of all, this in itself
was confirmation that none of the later reports he