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Geoffrey picked it up with a smile. "Curio dealers?" he asked. Japanese letters were printed on one side and English on the other. "Ito, that's the lawyer fellow, who pays the dividends. Did you see him." "Oh, no, I was much too weary. But he has only just gone. You probably passed him on the stairs." Geoffrey could only think of the vivid gentleman, who had been talking with Tanaka.
Tanaka explained that the Maple Club Restaurant or Koyokwan, which more strictly should be translated Hall of the Red Leaf, is the largest and most famous of Tokyo "tea-houses" to use a comprehensive term which applies equally to a shack by the roadside, and to a dainty pleasure resort where entertainments run easily into four or five pounds per head.
Upstairs in her bedroom, Asako had unrolled the precious obi. An unmounted photograph came fluttering out of the parcel. It was a portrait of her father alone taken a short time before his death. At the back of the photograph was some Japanese writing. "Is Tanaka there?" Asako asked her maid Titine. Yes, of course, Tanaka was there, in the next room with his ear near the door.
"Tanaka, what does this mean?" "Japanese poem," he said, "meaning very difficult: very many meanings: I think perhaps it means, having travelled all over the world, he feels very sad." "Yes, but word for word, Tanaka, what does it mean?" "This writing means, World is really not the same it says: all the world very many tell lies." "And this?" "This means, Travelling everywhere."
"Tanaka" she said one morning, in what was almost her old manner, "I think I will have the motor car to-day." Tanaka had become her body servant as in the old days. At first she had resented the man's reappearance, which awakened such cruel memories. She had protested against him to Sadako, who had smiled and promised.
"Oh, that little blighter. That reminds me. I must go and see him to-morrow, and find out what he is doing with our money." "My money," laughed Asako, "Tanaka never lets me forget that." "Of course, little one," said Geoffrey, "I'd be in the workhouse if it wasn't for you." "Geoffrey darling," said his wife hesitating, "will you give me something?"
"Ladyship's relatives have noble residence?" asked Tanaka; it was his way of inquiring if they were rich. "I really don't know at all," answered Geoffrey. "Then I will detect for Lordship. It will be better. A man can do great foolishness if he does not detect." After this Geoffrey discouraged Tanaka. But Asako thought him a huge joke.
She was trembling on a bamboo stool near the shuttered window. She was terribly frightened. Why did not Tanaka come? "Speak to me, Asa San," shouted the visitor; "say to me very glad, very, very glad, will be very nice wife of Ito. Fujinami give you to me. I have all Fujinami's secrets in my safe box. Ito greatest man in Japan. Fujinami very fear of me. He give me anything I want.
For the mountains were soothing to him, and he was not yet ready for encounters. When he arrived in Tokyo, he was in a very bad temper. Asako had heard from Tanaka that Reggie Forsyth was expected at the Embassy.
I wouldn't mind betting you that he is thirty." "All right," said Asako, "give me the jade Buddha if you are wrong." "And what will you give me if I am right?" said Geoffrey. "Kisses," replied his wife. Geoffrey went out to look for Tanaka. In a quarter of an hour he came back, triumphant. "My kisses, sweetheart," he demanded. "Wait," said Asako; "how old is he?"
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