CHAPTER XIII
AN EAVESDROPPER
The Moonbeam was to take off from Kasumigaura at half-past seven onSunday morning. Mr. Hammond had reached the airport at a very early hourbut it was not until seven-fifteen that he saw in the distance a groupof cars bringing the last laggard passengers, among them Dulcie and herelderly escorts, Doctors Trigg and Sims.
Mr. Hammond gave a sigh of relief, and went at once into the directors'room where their Excellencies, the Japanese Ministers of State and War,awaited him. There were the last compliments to be paid, the last papersto be signed, the last farewells to be spoken, and at twenty minutes ofeight the Moonbeam took flight.
As on her arrival, she circled the city of Tokio, returned to salute theport of Kasumigaura, and sailed out over the Pacific Ocean on the lastleg of her journey around the world.
At nine o'clock Mr. Hammond, watching the endless expanse of glisteningwater from the windows of the control room, suddenly rememberedsomething.
"Why, I haven't had my breakfast," he said to David. "Clean forgot it!"
"You had better have some coffee, hadn't you, sir? I could do with a cupmyself."
Giving the wheel to Van Arden, the two started for the salon. At thedoor Mr. Hammond stopped.
"What the--what's this?" he demanded, looking suspiciously at Dulcie. Inthe middle of the room stood a large chest made of exquisite wood-inlay,delicately colored. It was evidently an antique, rare as well asbeautiful. "Dulcie, I told you we didn't want to take any more weight onboard."
"That's not more weight. That's Mr. Hamilton," Dulcie explained sweetly.
"Mr. Hamilton! Now what do you mean, Dulcie?"
"Well, daddy, Prince Hata made me a present of that chest, and I reallydidn't forget what you said about weight. But I found I could lift oneend of the chest quite easily, and you know I couldn't lift an end ofMr. Hamilton. So I thought to myself, 'There! Mr. Hamilton has left theship, and my chest can go in his place.' I think it was rather clever ofme, don't you?"
Mr. Hammond groaned.
"And," Dulcie went on, "I was dying to tell Doctor Trigg and Doctor Simsand David about my visit to the palace, but I wouldn't until you werehere."
"Amazing abnegation," said Doctor Sims.
"Well, if abnegation means being perfectly crazy to tell, and waitingpatiently for hours and hours till my own father can hear it first, why,that's it," said Dulcie. "Go on and eat, you two, and I'll tell aboutit.
"The two princesses came for me. Dad, you should have seen them. Parisfrocks, tricky hats, wonderful shoes. Absolutely the latest things insport clothes. They both speak perfect English, even up-to-date slang.And they said, 'What a dear you are to come! We have been dying to meetyou, but we have been down at the summer palace, and only got home latelast night!' And it seems they are ladies-in-waiting to the Empress andhad to get permission to leave for a few hours.
"When we reached the palace, they said to come up to their rooms whilethey dressed, and I could tell them all about dear old Vassar, and howawful it was about the last Army and Navy game. We went through anAladdin's palace to reach their rooms, where a couple of maids appearedby magic, and the girls simply dashed out of their frocks and were putinto layers of Japanese robes, crusted stiff with gold embroidery. Itseems the princess, their mother, does not allow them to wear foreigndress in the home. She is old-school. I asked what about me, but theysaid I was all right.
"The last big sash was just tied on when the princess sent for us, andwe went down to the audience room. I was scared to death. I followedthem into the room, and there was the princess sitting in a carved chairon a little platform, with a group of attendants behind her. The girlswent up and bowed very low, and spoke to their mother in sweet-soundingJapanese. The old princess held up her tiny little old hand in a gestureof greeting, and I made a deep, deep curtsey, nearly to the floor. WhenI looked up she was smiling at me, and her little face looked so kindand plain under its jeweled headdress that I curtsied again.
"She said something to the princesses that they didn't translate, butthey told me later that she was very much pleased with me. Wasn't thatlucky? I did so want to be a credit to you!
"Then we stood and talked, and sipped tea, and the princess asked mequestions which the girls translated. She sent all sorts offelicitations to you on your flight. Presently she gave a signal, and Isaid good-bye, and sort of backed out, leaving her there in the middleof that enormous room full of wonders, looking for all the world like anold ivory figurine.
"We went into a queer, sweet room where Prince Hata was waiting for us,and luncheon was served--a real Japanese meal with a few American extrasfor me. When the Prince had to go back to you, we went back to thegirls' rooms, and talked college, and all that. I know a number of thegirls they know at home, but I guess I am the only one who knows howvery important they are over here. They are both coming to visit me nextwinter."
"Good-night!" exclaimed David.
"They are just regular girls," said Dulcie. "Of course, being princesseshas its drawbacks, but they have had lots of good times, even so.
"Well, while we were talking a couple of men-servants came in with thischest. It was for me, from Prince Hata. The girls evidently expected it,for they hopped up and clapped their hands, and in came a couple ofmaids carrying a whole outfit of Japanese ceremonial robes. Everything aprincess would wear at court.
"Then the older princess brought a square box, and said, 'This is frommother,' and there was a jeweled headdress.
"They had me take off my dress, and the two maids dressed me up ineverything. Daddy, I looked too grand! I'm going to give a Japaneseparty just as soon as we get back. And we'd better put in a Japanesegarden for it. You can radio that big landscape man. He'll know how tomake one."
Mr. Hammond sighed. "The parent pays," he paraphrased sadly.
Dulcie ignored that.
"When you see everything, you won't blame me for bringing it along." Sheopened the chest, which smelled pungently of mysterious perfumes, andone by one lifted out the priceless garments and the wonderfulheaddress.
"Museum pieces, every one," declared Doctor Trigg.
"I don't know what to say to all this," said Mr. Hammond.
"There is nothing you can say," said Dulcie. "I had a hard time sayinganything, myself. I was simply flabbergasted."
"How did you get it out here?"
"Oh, that nice Bill had a friend drive it out in a Ford truck. Bill is anice boy. He gave me a package, too, when I shook hands good-bye. Thinkof that! I told him, by the way, dad, that if he ever wanted tochauffeur in America, he could drive for me."
"Har!" said Doctor Sims twice.
"Here is the package. Let's open it." She undid the soft paper, andfound an inner wrapping of silk around a quaint box of hand wroughtsilver. Opening it, she gave a little cry of delight.
"Oh, Bill shouldn't have done this!" she cried, holding up a jewel. Itwas a heart made of a close-set line of red stones. Within the heart, ona fragile bit of chain, hung a large pear-shaped pearl.
"Look at it!" whispered Dulcie.
"Well, well," said Doctor Trigg, taking the exquisite thing in his hand."Fortunately I can explain this to you, Dulcie. In my studies of theOrient, its peoples and customs, I distinctly remember a description ofthis very jewel. It is a gift designed especially for young girls justbudding into womanhood. This heart typifies the heart of woman. Redblood (the sacred rubies) trace its outline. Within hangs this pearl,the tear which is within every heart. But it cannot escape while thesacred rubies imprison it. A lovely thought."
"Another museum piece," said Doctor Sims.
"Bill shouldn't have done it," repeated Dulcie, in an absolutelystricken tone. "How will he ever pay for it?"
"Don't worry," said Doctor Trigg. "He won't feel it. You see, Dulcie,his position as chauffeur was rather a lark. It was only for theduration of our visit. Bill's name is really Prince Kayoto. He is Hata'scousin."
"Oh, oh!" cried Dulcie. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"He didn't wish it. Besides, it was really immaterial. You treated himlike a prince."
"Yes, I offered him a job--a good job as chauffeur!" She laughed.
"It will give you both something to laugh over when you come toPrinceton next winter to visit Trigg and me," said Doctor Sims sounexpectedly that Mr. Hammond stared. "Kayoto is enrolled as a student."
Dulcie folded the garments and put away her treasures in the beautifulchest.
The remainder of the day was very quiet on board the Moonbeam. Everyonewas exhausted from their strenuous days in Japan, and welcomed a rest.It was only about eight o'clock that evening when Dulcie said, "I amgoing to leave you three boys," and smiled at her father and DoctorsTrigg and Sims. "Good-night, daddy." She pulled him down and kissed him."You, too," she added, walking over to the two doctors. "You are both sosweet to me." She dropped light kisses on the professors' witheredcheeks, and went away.
"A nice child--a sweet child," said Doctor Trigg, softly.
Doctor Sims touched his cheek with a careful finger. Finally he said,--
"Trigg, I am beginning to wonder if a lifetime spent in the unbrokendissemination of knowledge, exclusively to men's classes, does notoccasionally leave something, a subtle intangible something, to bedesired."
Doctor Trigg looked at his friend. "Poor old Sims," he said; then as anafterthought, "Poor old me!"
By the following morning the Moonbeam had made more than her usualmileage. She seemed destined to escape the stormy, unsettled winds thathad kept the Graf Zeppelin dodging while on the same lap of the journey.Far ahead, ominous masses of black clouds would pile up, only to meltaway as they approached. On either side they watched sudden storms rise,struggle and disappear. It was as though they were moving in a charmedarea, where there were no adverse currents and the steady tail-windpersisted. The hours passed uneventfully enough to please even asexacting a pilot as David.
Radiograms flew back and forth from Friedrichshafen, Tokio, Los Angeles,San Francisco and New York, while from numbers of American cities camemessages asking the Moonbeam to divert her course sufficiently to paythem an aerial call.
Mr. Hammond found it hard to refuse these requests. He was so proud ofthe Moonbeam that he wanted the whole country to see their Americandirigible. He kept a list of the radiograms, and determined to make alater trip which would embrace all the larger cities of the UnitedStates. He was bombarded with requests by radio from eager, highlyefficient publicity men, taking time by the forelock, and offering everyknown inducement for a word of commendation from him for productsranging from cigarettes to breakfast bacon. Far away as they still were,they commenced to feel the stir and restlessness that is America.
High spirits prevailed, and an ever-increasing sense of friendliness. Apool was made on the day's mileage, and wagers as to the exact hour andminute of sighting land. Late in the afternoon the youngest reporterexclaimed, "Say, d'you know that it's tomorrow that we gain a day? We goto bed Monday night and wake up Monday morning. Gee, isn't that funny?"
"Har, no!" said Doctor Sims. "What's a day lost or gained in theimmensity of time?"
"Time has no immensity, except in perspective," said Doctor Trigg. "Anextra day may be of paramount importance to our young friend."
"He himself is merely an infinitesimal atom," said Doctor Sims,regarding the youngest reporter critically. "So are you; so am I."
"Undoubtedly. But as an atom, I confess that I regard the gaining of aday with a certain thrill. One day, Nicholas! A day which may change thecourse of empire, breed great men, give some needed discovery to theworld, write a deathless song, or see a noble deed done."
"Or some great wrong," added Doctor Sims.
"If so, Nicholas, be sure that Time will right it."
"It will mean an extra eight-eighty on my pay check, anyhow," said theyoungest reporter.
"Didn't I tell you, Nicholas?" asked Doctor Trigg.
"You tell me so much!" exploded Doctor Sims wrathfully.
When everyone woke up to their second Monday, there was a feeling thatsomething out of the ordinary ought to happen to celebrate it. But theextra day went serenely on its way, with what Doctor Sims called "anostentatious lack of incident."
Whenever they were at liberty David and Red pored over the plans ofDavid's invention, and talked about it with technical abandon. David didnot undervalue Red's help, and it depressed his just and generous heartto think that they could not benefit together on the invention, but tosecure the patent, manufacture and put it on the market would take morethousands of dollars than both boys would possess in the next twentyyears.
David was faced by the conditions that discourage effort in so manyyoung inventors. Usually their sessions were broken up by Red's furiousdemand of fate to know why the barren farm in Oklahoma, only twentymiles from Wally's gushers, remained stubbornly dry. Twice had theRyans, pooling their meager resources, drilled down, never even reachingsand.
David did not wish to mention his invention to Mr. Hammond until he hadput it up for the prize at the Goodlow School. He did not know thatDulcie had spoken to her father about it. However, Mr. Hammond respectedhis reticence, and asked no questions.
Late on that queer second Monday, Red met Dulcie in the control room.
"I hear you have bespoken a new chauffeur, Miss Hammond," he saidquizzically. "I wonder you didn't offer me the job."
"I couldn't," said Dulcie. "I knew all the time that you are a prince."
"Is it so?" said Red, his blue eyes dancing. "Well, 'twould have been apity not to have been recognized by a lady in one's own rank. And," headded, "don't think it strange that I have not lavished gifts on youlike those others. Truth is, I'm havin' some stars taken down, verycareful, with some chunks of that Japanese moon, and set for yourwearin', in bracelets of platinum dug in the Urals. All of which takestime."
David and Van Arden joined in the laugh. Red sauntered away, but an hourlater he was back, a troubled look on his face.
"There's no use trying to make better time," he said gloomily. "Thoseengineers are doing their best, and so are the engines, but they havetheir limitations. Gosh, how I hate to disappoint the Big Fella!"
They sauntered back to David's stateroom.
"I wish I had my accelerators. They are so simple that we might have hada set made in Tokio. I bet they would have speeded us up ten miles anhour."
"I wish the plans were in a safe," said Red uneasily. "Where are theynow?"
"In that suitcase."
"In that suitcase!" repeated Red loudly. "My Lord, anybody could lift'em! And you've nothing on earth but my word to prove they are yours! Ithas taken two years to perfect them, and before you could reconstructthem, the other fellow could get the prize, or market them somehow. Youare crazy to leave them there."
"Don't be such an old woman, Red! No one knows about them, and if theydid, no one on this ship would take them. However, I wish we had a setinstalled. As the engines are now, we simply can't make better speed.But with that friction removed and all the rest of it, there ought to bea great difference."
"Well," said Red, "something has got to be done, and darned quick, orwe'll be toddling into Lakehurst on Zeppelin time, or more. And we'd getthe merry ha-ha all around. Anyhow, you put those papers under lock andkey."
David laughed, and followed Red forward to the chart room, where theindicator stood stubbornly at seventy miles.
But they did not know that at the moment when they had stepped fromDavid's cabin into the passage, a man had slipped like a shadow intoanother room; a man, who, just outside David's open door, had listenedto the conversation between the two friends.
The listener stood deep in thought.
"In the suitcase, eh?" he whispered. "Well, there's no hurry."
* * * * *
But that night Red woke suddenly. David, a flashlight in his hand, wasshaking him. He was very pale.
&
nbsp; "Wake up, Red!" he said. "The plans are gone!"