I said, “Sayonara,” and smiled my sweetest.  I had a feeling I would never see dear Uncle Mura on earth again and doubtless our environment will differ in the Beyond.

I went to the gate.  It faced two streets.  Both were empty.  Not a sign of Billy nor the jinrickshas in which we had come.  I trod on air as I tramped back to the hotel.

HIROSHIMA, Five Days Later, 1912.

Mate dear: 

I am back in my old quarters—­safe.  Why should n’t I be!  A detective has been my constant companion since I left Kioto, sitting by my berth all night on the train, and following me to the gates of the School!

I had planned to start back to Peking as soon as Sada and Billy were clear and away.  But this detective business has made me very wary—­not to say weary—­and I ’ve had to postpone my return to Jack to await the Emperor’s pleasure and lest I bring more trouble on Sada’s head, by following too closely on her heels; for I suspect the blessed elopers are themselves on the way to China.

When I took my walk into the country the afternoon after I got here, I saw the detective out of the back of my head, and a merry chase I led him—­up the steepest paths I knew, down the rocky sides, across the ferry, and into the remote village, where I let him rest his body in the stinging cold while I made an unexpected call.  For once he earned his salary and his supper.

That night I was in the sitting-room alone.  A glass door leads out to an open porch.  Conscious of a presence, I looked up to find two penetrating eyes fixed on me.  It made me creepy and cold, yet I was amused.  I sat long and late, but a quiet shadow near the door told me I was not alone.  Even when in bed I could hear soft steps under my window.

I have just come from an interview that was deliciously illuminating.

Sada San has disappeared; and, so goes their acute reasoning, as I was the last person in Uncle’s house, before her absence was discovered, the logical conclusion is that I have kidnapped her.

Two hours ago the scared housemaid came to announce that “two Mr. Soldiers with swords wanted to speak to me.”

I went at once, to find my guardian angel and the Chief of Police for this district in the waiting-room.  We wasted precious minutes making inquiries about one another’s health, accentuating every other word with a bow and a loud indrawn breath.  We were tuning up for the business in hand.

The chief began by assuring me that I was a teacher of great learning.  I had not heard it but bowed.  It was poison to his spirit to question so honorable, august, and altogether wise a person, but I was suspected of a grave offense, and I must answer his questions.

Where was my home?

Easy.

How did I live?

Easier.

Who was my grandfather?

Fortunately I remembered.

Was I married?