Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station Part 33

"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 pa.s.sengers 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 Kot.i.to 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 Emba.s.sy 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 j.a.panese 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 j.a.panese, 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 j.a.panese, 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 j.a.panese 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 j.a.panese 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 j.a.pan 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 embarra.s.sing, 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 j.a.panese 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 j.a.pan."

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 a.s.sist 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 j.a.panese eyes were downcast, there was a flash of grat.i.tude in every pair as Dan's speech was put into j.a.panese; 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 embarra.s.sed 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.