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It was said, as an excuse, that the Resident-General had not given his consent to the theft, and that Viscount Tanaka did not intend to keep the Pagoda himself, but to present it to the Mikado. The organ of the Residency-General in Seoul, the Seoul Press, made the best excuse it could.
As for the cross-examination, it took place in the evening, when Geoffrey was tired, and Tanaka was taking off his boots. "Previous to the fiancée," Tanaka began, "did Lady Barrington live long time in Japan?" He was lavish with titles, considering that money and nobility in such people must be inseparable; besides, experience had taught him that the use of such honorifics never came amiss.
A few days later, when Tanaka was arrested and had made a full confession of the crime, Count Saito, who knew how suspects fare at the hands of a zealous procurator, called in person on the Minister of Justice, and secured Asako's speedy liberation. "This girl is a valuable asset to our country," he had explained to the Minister.
While expatiating on the wonders to be seen, he brushed Geoffrey's clothes and arranged them with the care of a trained valet. In the evening, when they returned to the hotel and Asako complained of pains in her shoulder, Tanaka showed himself to be an adept at massage. Next morning he was again at his post; and Geoffrey realized that another member had been added to his household.
But Tanaka continued his ministrations; and Asako had not the strength to go on protesting. As a matter of fact, he was specially employed by Mr. Fujinami Gentaro to spy on Asako's movements, an easy task hitherto, since she had not moved from her room. "Where is the motor car, Tanaka?" she asked again. He grinned, as Japanese always do when embarrassed.
But for the reference to her father she would have snubbed him. She decided to give him tea in the lounge, and not to invite him to her private rooms. A growing distrust of her countrymen, arising largely from observation of the ways of Tanaka, was making little Asako less confiding than of yore.
"Ladyship is not prisoner. Ladyship must say, I go. But perhaps I can arrange matter for Ladyship." "Oh, Tanaka, please, please do. I'm so unhappy here." "I will hire cook and maid for Ladyship. I myself will be seneschal!" Mr. Fujinami Gentaro and his family were delighted to hear that their plan was working so smoothly, and that they could so easily get rid of their embarrassing cousin.
Alone, in her bare room her only companion a flaky yellow chrysanthemum nodding in the draught Asako sobbed and sobbed as though her heart were breaking. Somebody tapped at the sliding shutter. Asako could not answer. The shoji was pushed open, and Tanaka entered. Asako was glad to see him. Alone of the household Tanaka was still deferential in his attitude towards his late mistress.
Did they want a thing? Then let them take it, and woe be to the man who dared to hinder them! This attitude was illustrated in an interesting fashion by a bit of vandalism on the part of Viscount Tanaka, Special Envoy from the Mikado to the Korean Emperor.
How can madame tell the good confessor? How can madame go to the Holy Mass? Will madame leave her husband and go to these people who pray to stone beasts? Wait for monsieur! I say, 'What Tanaka say, it is lies, all the time lies.
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