these clubs of _soshi_, as they are called. In another generation there
will be very few of them left. In the meantime they are quite dangerous
occasionally. About fifty years ago a band of them attacked the English
Legation at Takanawa and there was a fierce fight. But I feel perfectly
sure that they wouldn't attack people now. Only motor cars and the like."

"That would have been bad enough," remarked Billie, patting the wheel of
the "Comet."

Mme. Fontaine smiled pleasantly.

"After the great excitement may I not have the pleasure of offering you a
reviving cup of tea at my house? It would make me very happy."

Miss Campbell would have much preferred to go straight home, but to
decline the invitation would have seemed ungracious and she accepted
promptly.

Along the broad streets of Tokyo, under out-stretched boughs heavy with
blossoms, they rolled, and at last Billie paused as directed at a gate in
a wall behind which was a charming little house, set in the usual
beautiful garden.

If Mme. Fontaine was fascinating and elegant, so also was her home. The
drawing-room, which seemed to occupy most of the second floor, was
furnished in European fashion with deep chairs and couches, Oriental rugs
and rich hangings. There was a grand piano near the windows, and on the
walls were the rarest and most beautiful Japanese prints. It was a
blending of the East and West and was one of the most artistic and
delightful apartments the girls had ever seen. In the dim shadowy