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"Inspector Jacks," he said, "you are a wonderful man. Even now you are asking yourself, 'What does he want to say to me Prince Maiyo? Is he going to ask me questions, or will he tell me things which I should like to hear? You know, Mr. Inspector Jacks, between ourselves, you are just a little interested in me, is it not so?" The detective was dumb. He stood there patiently waiting.
Civilization has set an unwholesome value upon human life. It is the maudlin sentiment which creeps like corruption through the body of a dying country." "I know it," the Prince declared, sighing. "I know it very well indeed." "Dear Maiyo," the Ambassador asked, "how well do you know it?" "My friend," the Prince answered, "it were better for you not to ask that question."
He swung himself into the saddle without hesitation. The mare suddenly reared. Prince Maiyo only smiled, and with loose reins stooped and patted her neck. He seemed to whisper something in her ear, and she stood for a moment afterwards quite still. Lady Grace drew a quick breath. "What did you say to her, Prince?" she asked. "She is behaving beautifully except for that first start."
When Prince Maiyo awoke on the following morning, the sunshine was streaming into the room, and his grave-faced valet was standing over his bed. "His Highness' bath is ready," he announced. The Prince dressed quickly and was first in the pleasant morning room, with its open windows leading on to the terrace. He strolled outside and wandered amongst the flower beds.
With an amiable word of farewell the Prince departed. The doctor threw himself into an easy chair. His single exclamation was laconic but forcible. Never did Prince Maiyo show fewer signs of his Japanese origin than when in the company of other men of his own race.
"About our little party down in Hampshire next week," he began. "I am waiting to hear from you before I send out any invitations," the Duchess answered. "Quite so," the Duke assented. "To tell you the truth, I don't want anything in the nature of a house party. What I should really like would be to get Maiyo there almost to ourselves." His wife looked at him in some surprise.
Whiles waved aside the invitation, he would at any rate remain professional. The man withdrew, and almost immediately afterwards Prince Maiyo entered the room. The doctor rose to his feet with a little thrill of excitement. The Prince held out his hand. "I am very pleased to see you again, doctor," he said.
"Prince Maiyo is over here on a special mission. We ourselves have only been able to surmise its object with the aid of our secret service in Tokio. You can rest assured of one thing, however. It is of vast importance to the interests of this country that we secure his goodwill." The Duchess smiled good humoredly.
Watch what an interest she is taking in the game now. He has been encouraging the poor old lady until her last few shots have been quite good. That is Maiyo all the world over. I will wager that he is thinking of nothing on earth at this moment but of making that poor old lady feel at her ease and enjoy her game.
I don't know what it was that came over me," he continued doubtfully, "but the atmosphere seemed suddenly to become unbearable." Prince Maiyo nodded understandingly. "People often complain," he admitted. "So many of my hangings in the room have been wrapped in spices to preserve them, and my people burn dead blossoms there occasionally.
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