The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 111: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE THING THAT WAS CAHSAR’S. Innes nodded gravely. “I’ve seen *em,”’ he said. ‘ Go on.” “He said it would be just a ques- tion of time till all the Japanese ports’ll be quarantined against us, and that I was to get Miss Downs out before an embargo is laid on all vessels. He said not to let her know the real reason, because there is no reason to alarm her—”’ Innes and Oakes chuckled openly over the bare idea of Marjorie becom- ing alarmed at the thought of the plague, while Shenstone looked at them wonderingly. Innes in a few words explained what had happened on board of the Atlanta. “My word,” broke in Shenstone. “That explains, then, the reason why those two Japanese wanted to get aboard here. One of them is, I think, an army officer, who belongs to the Department of Transportation. I don’t know who the other one is. They evidently know that you have had the plague aboard, but how they got the news Heaven only knows—’” “That may have something to do with how the news got out,” Oakes broke in grimly, pointing to a yellow undershirt that was lashed to the fore- stay and that whipped and snapped in the harbor breeze that rippled the wa- ter. Innes swore. “T’ll bet you what you like, Oakes,” went on Shenstone, “that you never land your coolies or else that—here they come, now! ” The two Japanese came softly up the ladder and were met at the top by Captain Innes with: “ What can I do for you, gentlemen?” “‘ [—ah—am Colonel Itasura of the imperial Japanese general staff. Our home office has directed me to see a Mr. Oakes ’’—here Oakes introduced himself—‘ and to say that orders will be issued directing all officials to fur- ther the landing of your coolies in Chenampho, and instructing me to give all the aid in my power to assist in the enterprise—” Oakes gave a sigh of relief. Be- 581 yond a doubt the road was clear. Colonel Itasura stepped back to the rail and was frankly not interested in any further proceedings. ‘The other iman came forward. ““I—am—of the—what may be named the Japanese Labor Bureau, an’ I am came to see of the honorable gen- toeman—’” he began in a labored at- tempt to speak what even courtesy could scarcely call “ broken ” English. It was pulverized. Oakes, relieved of all anxiety and worry about his coolies, grinned in the darkness. The Japanese went on imperturb- ably: “ If maybe can see me all to next day, required arrangements can with- out delay be did. Am at Grand Hotel if the honorable gentoeman will to use my poor house—’ “ Better tell him that you will see him there about nine in the morning, Oakes. Then, after they have gone, I want to see you for a moment.” Oakes assented cheerfully, and In- nes from the top of the companion- way shouted a gruff “ good night ”’ as the launch shot shoreward across the shallow waters of the roads, Innes watched the young American go down the ladder, and then glimp- sing Marjorie, who was still standing by the rail, he smiled a little. “Tm just morally certain,” he growled into his beard, “ that a colonel of the Japanese general staff did not pull out here across a stinkin’ harbor to carry news to a man like he says he did. It’s clean against rules. They’ve been trained after the German fashion, an’ he might condescend to talk to Oakes ashore if he called respectfully at his office; but this—no, sir! I don’t believe it! There’s a nigger in the woodpile somewhere. I must see Oakes—but I will not disturb him now.” - , He smiled a satisfied smile as he saw, in the shadow of the deck-house, the tall figure of the girl, with Oakes bending over her as they leaned out across the rail into the dusk. COMicdoo S CO@