A dark flush overspread Yoritomo's face and gradually faded out. The
others did not notice it, however. They had followed Nicholas across
the room and were standing in a circle around the safe, while the young
American touched it with a caressing hand.

"Made in Newark, N.J., U.S.A.," he exclaimed. "Think of that. It's like
meeting an old friend from home."

"A very proper kind of friend," observed Reginald. "The kind that keeps a
secret behind a combination lock."

"I don't call it being a real friend to have any combination at all," put
in Elinor, "because anybody who learns the combination can get the
secret."

Nicholas laughed.

"You don't understand the Japanese, Miss Butler," he exclaimed. "They
regard all persons with important secrets as combination safes. Sooner or
later they believe they can learn any combination if they only persist."

"Why don't you stand up for your country, Mr. Ito?" asked Nancy.

"What Nicholas says is true," answered Yoritomo. "If the secret concerns
his country, the Japanese will learn it if he must give up his life. What
you call 'spy' in your language should be changed to patriot, or one who
risks all for his country. Every Japanese is a spy, because every
Japanese will suffer for Japan."

"Perfectly good logic," said Nicholas.