CHAPTER XIV
OKIU WRITES A LETTER
Ashton-Kirk, a short time after the old servant woman left, rang forFuller. When the latter entered he found his employer writing atelegram.
"Have you heard anything from O'Neill?" asked the secret agent.
"This morning--yes. He merely said that he was still trying to strikethe trail of Philip Warwick."
Ashton-Kirk held out the telegram.
"Send him this," said he, briefly.
Fuller glanced at the yellow sheet, and then whistled, amazedly;however, he said nothing, but instantly left the room.
The morning mail lay neglected upon the table. Some were sharp,businesslike envelopes, bearing downright statements as to the senders'identity; others were big and square, while a number were small anddainty. A few were remarkable after the same manner that an oddlydressed man is remarkable; and to one of these latter the eye of thesecret agent was first attracted.
"It's hardly to be wondered at," he mused, as he held up the envelopeand studied its characteristics, "that the postman should have mentallymarked the letters received by Karkowsky. There seems an individualityabout each piece of mail that must almost unconsciously impress theperson handling it. A strange style of handwriting is like a strangeface; the very manner of sticking on a stamp might give very clearindications as to another's mental process."
He cut open the flap of the envelope; when he unfolded the sheetenclosed, he glanced at the signature; then he lay back in his chair, asmile upon his face.
"Okiu," he murmured. "I was beginning to wonder what his first movewould be."
Still smiling, he held the letter up once more, and read:
"MY DEAR MR. ASHTON-KIRK:
"I was most happy to meet you upon several occasions recently. But, believe me, I had no actual realization of what you were, or I should have been overcome.
"To think that you know my own language, that you have studied the literature of Nippon, that you have even written a most delightful appreciation of it. And all the time I was ignorant of this!
"It grieves me to think that you might consider me amiss in this, and so I try to make amends. May I not greet you at my house? I can show you some Japanese and Korean manuscripts which no Caucasian has ever laid eyes on before; and also I have rare books which may afford you some pleasure to see.
"I should be gratified to have you call to-night. If it can be managed, have some one telephone me. And, in the formal way of my country,
"I am, most honorable sir, at your feet,
"OKIU."
For some time Ashton-Kirk lay back in his big chair, the smile still onhis lips. Then Fuller came in.
"O'Neill will be astonished when he gets that wire," he said.
Ashton-Kirk tossed him the letter.
"Answer this," said he, lazily. "Say that I'll come."
Fuller read the letter through without comment; then he went to thetelephone and did as directed. When he had finished, he turned to theother.
"The Jap has made up his mind to something," he said.
"He made up his mind upon our first meeting," replied Ashton-Kirk. "Hehas now decided what he will do."
Fuller shook his head.
"Look out for him," he warned. "He's dangerous."
Ashton-Kirk yawned. "The bird or beast of prey is marked by nature," hesaid. "And there is no movement they make that is not in itself awarning."
There was nothing more said for some little time. The secret agent readhis mail, and indicated upon each letter back what his answer was to be.These he passed to Fuller, who read them over and arranged them foranswering. But after finishing this work the young man did not retire atonce, as was his custom. He hesitated for a few moments, and then said:
"Don't think I'm taken with the idea that I can run this case betterthan you; but last night after I left here, I got to going over thematter, and there are some things about it that troubled me."
Ashton Kirk nodded.
"You are not exactly alone in that," he answered. "Several times I haveseen what I fancied must be the bottom of the affair; but in almost thenext breath, something happened which changed my mind. This morning Iwas ready to indicate to Osborne what steps to take to secure theassassin of Dr. Morse; but again I received information that brought meto a standstill."
"You found that you were mistaken as to the guilty person?" asked Fullercuriously.
But the other did not reply to this.
"Just what are the things which you say troubled you?" he asked.
"First of all, the fact that this fellow Drevenoff has the free run ofthe Eastbury house. Suppose Warwick did not, after all, make off withthe state paper you are seeking. Very likely it is still in the house.You know that the Pole is searching for it; at any moment he may findit, and if he does, how easy it would be for him to slip it in anenvelope and mail it to a confederate."
"There is very little danger of his coming upon it now," saidAshton-Kirk quietly.
Fuller looked at him swiftly.
"You have learned, then, that it is not in the house!" he said.
Ashton-Kirk shook his head.
"As to that," said he, "I am not sure. But," and the singular eyes halfclosed as he spoke, "perhaps it does not make a great deal ofdifference.