know how Japan became assured that America had no intention of
going to war with her. In other words, I want to know whether
those papers which were stolen from Fynes and poor Dicky found
their way to the Japanese Embassy or into the hands of Prince
Maiyo himself."

"Anything else?" she asked with a faint note of sarcasm in her
tone.

"Yes," Mr. Harvey replied, "there is something else. I should
like to know what attitude Prince Maiyo takes towards the
proposed renewal of the treaty between his country and Great
Britain."

She shook her head.

"Even if we were friends," she said, "the very closest of
friends, he would never tell me. He is far too clever."

"Do not be too sure," Mr. Harvey said. "Sometimes a man,
especially an Oriental, who does not understand the significance
of your sex in these matters, can be drawn on to speak more
freely to a woman than he would ever dream of doing to his best
friend. He would not tell you in as many words, of course. On the
other hand, he might show you what was in his mind."

"He is going back very shortly," Penelope remarked.

Mr. Harvey nodded.