Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station Part 32

"Tell him anything you please," offered Danny Grin obligingly.

"But he will feel at once, as we do, that Mr. Darrin declines the meeting because Mr. Darrin has not the valor to meet a resolute man on the field of honor."

Danny Grin looked thoughtful for a minute. Then he glanced up to ask:

"How much actual military service, under fire, have you seen, Mr.

Toruma?"

"It has not, as yet, been my good fortune to see any," replied Lieutenant Toruma.

"And you, Mr. Hata, may I inquire what is the extent of your service?"

"I have been as unfortunate in that respect as my friend, Toruma,"

replied Hata.

"Mr. Katura must have seen some active, hard service," pressed Danny Grin.

"Alas, no," Toruma answered, "Mr. Katura has not been any more fortunate than have we."

"Darrin has seen some service," Danny Grin went on calmly. "He was commended in orders for gallant and daring work when the Navy took Vera Cruz. Then, down in Vengara, in South America, in a revolution, he went, with one companion, into the wilds of Vengara to visit the camp of the former dictator, Benedito, who had an army behind him, fighting the government of Vengara. With the help of only that one companion, Darrin, in the heart of Benedito's own army, took the ex-dictator captive, at the point of a revolver, and brought him through the forests, through the government lines as well, and turned General Benedito over to the United States forces."

"That was a splendid deed," bowed Toruma.

"Have you heard of the recent conduct of our Navy at Nu-ping, China?"

Dan asked.

"Oh, yes," nodded Toruma. "That was an excellently managed affair, and one highly creditable to your Navy."

"The officer who was in command at Nu-ping," continued Dalzell, "was David Darrin, Ensign, United States Navy."

"He did a splendid act," admitted Lieutenant Toruma, bowing.

"And now," added Lieutenant Hata, "he impresses others as being afraid to meet a gentleman on the field of honor!"

"When a man has such a record, don't officers like you and Mr. Katura, who have never smelled burning powder, feel like boys criticizing the courage of a veteran?" asked Dan dryly. With the words, Dan, with one of his famous and sardonic grins, turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the two very much ruffled young j.a.panese officers.

Dave Darrin, after his rebuff in the lobby, stepped slowly toward the door.

"I'll go outside for a while before I go back to Belle," he decided.

Within five minutes he ran into Dalzell, who at once told him of the interview with the two j.a.panese.

"The end is not yet," sighed Dave. "But now suppose we return and dress for dinner. Remember, no word of this to Belle. I don't want her vacation spoiled if I can help it."

But could he help it? Apparently no one at the tables noticed Belle and the two young ensigns as they made their way through the dining room.

"Did you notice, Dave, that none of the j.a.panese officers, and there were a good many of them in the room, rose and bowed to me tonight?

What can the matter be?"

"Let us hope," answered Dave, "they're absorbed in their own affairs."

Belle noted, however, that throughout the meal and on their leaving the room, no one except some United States naval officers and two American infantry officers on leave offered them the slightest courtesy.

Leaving Belle in the parlor, the two young officers returned to the lobby. They were shortly approached by Lieutenant Commander Emery of the "Katahdin."

"Hullo, Darrin. Evening, Dalzell. Now Darrin, what is this rumor about your refusing to meet a j.a.panese officer on the field?" he asked abruptly.

"There was a challenge, yes," admitted Dave. "I declined on the ground that our regulations forbid dueling."

"Of course you couldn't fight," responded the lieutenant commander.

"But hadn't you better go back to the ship and remain there as long as she lies in Yokohama?"

"And give up my vacation with Belle?"

"Don't you realize what it means in some countries to decline a duel, Darrin? You'll be an outcast in Tokio. For Mrs. Darrin's sake, don't remain ash.o.r.e and let her be tormented by the studied coldness that will be shown you everywhere in Tokio."

"They may think me a coward for not fighting, but I can't be coward enough to run from the consequences, though I dislike to involve Belle in this."

"Here comes Decoeur of the French Navy," said Lieutenant Commander Emery suddenly. "I want to shake hands with him."

Decoeur, looking slightly embarra.s.sed, shook hands very cordially with Emery, who then rather abruptly introduced his brother officers, Mr.

Darrin and Mr. Dalzell.

The French officer gave the ensigns only the shadow of a bow. His hand did not come forward. Then he pa.s.sed stiffly on.

"You see," said Emery. "You understand what the att.i.tude in Tokio will be. Are you going to subject Mrs. Darrin to such humiliations?"

"I don't see how I can avoid it," replied Dave, sick at heart on Belle's account.

CHAPTER XX-CONCLUSION

"Isn't this delightful?" cried Belle, holding up a card that she had received in the mail that morning. "Mrs. Fullerton of the Emba.s.sy has secured for us this invitation to the reception that the Prime Minister of j.a.pan gives to the Emperor this afternoon at the Prime Minister's official residence."

"There'll be a dreadful crush there," replied Dave, with a secret sinking at heart.

"Of course, if you don't care to go-" began Belle considerately.

"Of course I want to go," Dave returned bravely. "Do you think we'd miss such an event as this will certainly be?"

"Going to the reception this afternoon?" asked Dan a little later.

"Certainly; Belle has a card for us."

"And yet Toruma and Hata say that you have no courage!"