"But, perhaps you have not known of the secret but aggressive policy which j.a.pan has lately adopted toward us. The exchange of friendly notes a few years ago might as well not have occurred. If we had done nothing to check the tendencies in the Pacific, we should have been at war within another year. Only a complete understanding and definite agreement with some strong nation could prevent hostilities. The Anglo-j.a.panese alliance eliminated Great Britain as a possible ally. There were reasons why it seemed inadvisable to turn to France, for an arrangement there would involve the recognition of Russian interests. Therefore, we sought an alliance with Germany.

"The German Amba.s.sador and myself drafted a treaty last month, with the proviso that it must be signed within a certain period which, as you know, will expire within a few minutes. My illness followed, and with it the necessity of coming to our home, here. I had expected to return to Washington last week, but as Doctor Allison forbade me to travel for a while longer, I had the drafts of the treaty sent on, and urged the German Amba.s.sador to pay me a long-deferred visit. He and his suite have been here several days, in mufti.

"Now, Mr. Orme, this treaty concerns two important relations--a just balance of power in the Pacific and a just arrangement by which the countries of South America can be made to live up to their obligations. I cannot go into details, and it will be some months before the treaty will be made public--but j.a.pan must not dominate our Pacific trade routes, and the Monroe Doctrine must be applied in such a manner that it will not shelter evil-doers. You understand now why Alcatrante and the j.a.panese minister were working together."

"It is quite clear," said Orme. "I don't wish you to tell me any more than is advisable, but the j.a.panese minister said that, if the new treaty should lapse, the German Government would not renew it."

"Very true," said the Secretary. "The German Amba.s.sador is pleased with the treaty. After it had been drafted, however, and after his home government had agreed to the terms, j.a.pan brought pressure to bear in Germany. The result of this j.a.panese effort--which contained a counter-proposition for the isolation of Russia--was that the German Government weakened--not to the point of disavowing the arrangement with us, but in the event of a redrafting of the treaty, to the adoption of a less favorable basis of negotiations, or, possibly, even to the interposition of such obstacles as would make a treaty possible. You can see how essential these papers were to us. There was not time to provide new copies, for the lost drafts carried certain seals and necessary signatures which could not be duplicated on short notice."

"Did the German Amba.s.sador know of the loss?" Orme was encouraged to ask questions by the Secretary's obvious desire to explain as fully as he could.

"No one knew of it, Mr. Orme, excepting my daughter and myself--that is, no one besides the South Americans and the j.a.panese. It seemed wise to say nothing. There were no secret service men at hand, and even if there had been, I doubt if they would have acted as efficiently as you have acted. The police, I know, would have bungled, and, above all else, publicity had to be avoided.

"As things have turned out, I am glad that Poritol set his burglar on us when he did; otherwise Maku would have got the treaty at the last moment.

Alcatrante's desire to secure a diplomatic advantage over the j.a.panese was really the saving of us."

The Secretary paused. His face lighted up with a rare smile. "Above everything else, Mr. Orme, I thank you."

He arose and rang for a servant.

"And now," he continued, "I know you will excuse me if I return to my guests. My daughter will bring you in presently, so that we may have the pleasure of making you acquainted with them. And, of course, you will remain with us till to-morrow." He smiled again and went slowly from the room on the arm of the servant.

Orme turned to the girl. Her face was rosy and her eyes were fixed on the arm of her chair.

"Girl, dear," he said, "I can hardly believe that it is all true."

She did not answer, and while he gazed at her, surprised at her silence, failing to understand her sudden embarra.s.sment, Bessie Wallingham appeared in the doorway and stood hesitant.

"Am I still not wanted?" said Bessie, roguery in her voice. "Sure, ye'll find me a faithful servant. I minds me own business and asks no questions."

The girl rushed over to her friend.

"Oh, Bessie," she cried, with a little laugh--"Oh, Bessie, won't you please come in and--and----"

Orme began to understand. "And wait for us a little longer," he broke in.

Masterfully he led the girl out through the doorway to the hall.

Bessie Wallingham looked after their retreating figures. "Well? I never!"

she exclaimed.