Only on Sunday morning it was the hotel boy who brought their early morning tea.  Tanaka was absent.  When he made his appearance he wore a grave expression which hardly suited his round face; and he carried a large black prayer-book.  He explained that he had been to church.  He was a Christian, Greek Orthodox.  At least so he said, but afterwards Geoffrey was inclined to think that this was only one of his mystifications to gain the sympathy of his victims and to create a bond between him and them.

His method was one of observation, imitation and concealed interrogation.  The long visits to the Barringtons’ rooms, the time spent in clothes-brushing and in massage, were so much opportunity gained for inspecting the room and its inhabitants, for gauging their habits and their income, and for scheming out how to derive the greatest possible advantage for himself.

The first results of this process were almost unconscious.  The wide collar, in which his face had wobbled Micawber-like, disappeared; and a small double collar, like the kind Geoffrey wore, took its place.  The garish neck-tie and hatband were replaced by discreet black.  He acquired the attitudes and gestures of his employer in a few days.

As for the cross-examination, it took place in the evening, when Geoffrey was tired, and Tanaka was taking off his boots.

“Previous to the fiancee,” Tanaka began, “did Lady Barrington live long time in Japan?”

He was lavish with titles, considering that money and nobility in such people must be inseparable; besides, experience had taught him that the use of such honorifics never came amiss.

“No; she left when she was quite a little baby.”

“Ladyship has Japanese name?”

“Asako Fujinami.  Do you know the name, Tanaka?”

The Japanese set his head on one side to indicate an attitude of reflection.

“Tokyo?” he suggested.

“Yes, from Tokyo.”

“Does Lordship pay his devoir to relatives of Ladyship?”

“Yes, I suppose so, when we go to Tokyo.”

“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.  He made himself very useful and agreeable, fetching and carrying for her, and amusing her with his wonderful English.  He almost succeeded in dislodging Titine from her cares for her mistress’s person.  Geoffrey had once objected, on being expelled from his wife’s bedroom during a change of raiment: 

“But Tanaka was there.  You don’t mind him seeing you apparently.”

Asako had burst out laughing.

“Oh, he isn’t a man.  He isn’t real at all.  He says that I am like a flower, and that I am very beautiful in ‘deshabeel.’”