Charlevoix county herald., 1915-02-27
BY j. ". OIESY

their class, the incident was, for the
time at least, closed.
1t was then that Shiela, clothed
again in the mode of her country,
leaned forward with eyes which
shone and sparkled and spoke. But
before that she laid small, leather
bound book on the table at which
she sat.
Il have something here" she be-
gan, (which | want you all to look
at. After we reached the bomb fac
tory and Oshitu took me to his
house, he asked me to marry him,
and | refused. He did not, however,
make me a prisoner in the strict
sense, for he knew | could not get
away. AS result. ! was free to
roam about the house. In the room
which was assigned to me was an
old, lacquered box. It was unlocked
and / looked inside. 1t was full of
American souvenirs. Oshitu had at
tended Harvard and the things
were things he had gathered over
there. Thrre were college pennants
and flags, dance programs, the
menus Of class Eanquets, a class pin
On ribbon, lot Of kodak pictures,
a baseball uniform, some textbooks
in English, and this book.
at is a sort of diary which he kept
at that time. Part of it is written
in English and part in Japanese. On
the fy-leaf, as you can see"-she
opened the bOok-"he has written:
Diary of Irawaya Oshitu while at
Harvard University, Cambridge
- nF
the first part is written in English
and contains only an occasional rec
ord of some matter of interest to
him.
"There is no regular sequence of
dates. Sometimes he skips months
at a time. Then, about the middle
of the book, there is another leaf in
scribed: Diary of Irawaya Oshitu
while an honorary student at the
American Military School at West
Point Beyond that the writing is
mostly in what | suppose is Japan
csc, with only an occasional word in
English. Here and there through
this part, however, the name of
Lieutenant Gafford appears.
"At least l suppose it is his,
though the word is merely 'Gaf'ord.
Of course | couldn't read it, but
thought that as it was written while
Oshitu was in America, and men
toned that name, that it might be
important. And so when Lieutenant
Gafford and poor Karloff came for
me last night. | wouldn't leave I'M
til | had run back and got this book.
You see-I though" paused
and then finished with a rush-"I
thought that maybe it might have
some bearing on Lieutenant CAT
ford's case"
Spry and McRae were sitting for
ward in their interest. Gafford,
paler than was his wont, gripped the
arms of his chair "Would you mind
letting me see it," he asked in a
voice not quite steady, despite his
visible effort at self control. "You
know | read Japanese"
Shiela extended the book, opened
at a place she appeared to have
marked.
Gafford took it. and ran his eyes
from top to bottom of the page and
read on with a strained attention,
sprang suddenly to his feet, and
brought the book down on the table
with a crash.
"Mr. Secretary" he cried in in
tense emotion to McRae. will you
believe me when | say that, when
this is translated, it will prove all
that | contended at the time of my
trial? 1t is here-here in black and
whitew
"If you can read it, why not trans
late it to us now" suggested Nc
Rae with evident Impotence of de-
lay:
"If you WISH" Gafford made eager
assent and picked up the book. This
first place where my name appears,
which was where Miss McRae
handed me the opened book, reads:
4, Irawaya Oshitu, am today the re-
cipient of a great honor in that his
divine majesty the Mikado has here
by commanded me, on penalty of
death for failure, to secure the plans
of certain military works of the
Americans, both built and in course
of construction. | have much hope
that through my friendship with
Gafford | may be enabled to begin
this at once.
"Go on" urged McRae. as he
paused
81 will have to ask you to let me
read it as | find it, then, sir" ex-
planned Gafford as he seated himself
and began turning the leaves of the
book. While they sat and waited he
read on and on. Gradually his face
became absorbed and he seemed to
forget their presence. Quite un-
expectedly he closed the book and
looked up with eyes which burned.
1T is all here, sir!' he burst out. 81
can't read it aloud to you now.
haven't the control. 1t means too
much. But-I'll tell you this. 1t
closes-with an exultant paragraph
to the effect that | have been con-
victed of his act, and that no one
suspects him of the theft"
His voice rose and broke on the
last word. He sank forward against
the table and bowed his head on his
arms.
McRae rose and crossed to his
side. He put down a hand and laid
it on the bent shoulders.
Lieutenant" said he, 81 congratu-
late you from my heart. This was
all that was needed to make the in
cidant conn nlpta AS soon &c I raturn