“Haviland is right,” Bransome agreed.  “Many a time I have caught myself wondering, when he talks so easily about his travels, what the real thoughts are which lie at the back of his brain.  We know, of course, what the object of those travels was.  He went as no tourist.  He went with a deep and solemn purpose always before him.  He went to find out whether there was any other European Power whose alliance would be a more advantageous thing for Japan than a continuation of their alliance with us.  Such a thing has never been mentioned or hinted at between us, but we know it all the same.”

“I wonder,” the Duke remarked, “whether we shall really get the truth out of him before he goes.”

The Prime Minister shook his head.

“Look at him now teaching old Lady Saunderson how to hold her cue.  He singled her out because she was the least attractive person playing, because no one took any particular notice of her, and every one seemed disposed to let her go her own way!  Those girls were all buzzing around him as though he were something holy, but you see how gently he eluded them!  Watch what an interest she is taking in the game now.  He has been encouraging the poor old lady until her last few shots have been quite good.  That is Maiyo all the world over.  I will wager that he is thinking of nothing on earth at this moment but of making that poor old lady feel at her ease and enjoy her game.  A stranger, looking on, would imagine him to be just a kind-hearted, simple-minded fellow.  Yet there is not one of us three who has wit enough to get a single word from him against his will.  You shall see.  There is an excellent opportunity here.  I suppose both of you read his speech at the Herrick Club last night?”

“I did,” the Duke answered.

“And I,” Bransome echoed.  “It seemed to me that he spoke a little more freely than usual.”

“He went as near to censure as I have ever heard him when speaking of any of the institutions of our country,” the Prime Minister declared.  “I will ask him about it directly we get the chance.  You shall see how he will evade the point.”

“You will have to be quick if you mean to get hold of him,” the Duke remarked.  “See, the game is over and there he goes with Penelope.”

The Prime Minister rose to his feet and intercepted them on their way to the door.

“Miss Morse,” he said, “may we ransom the Prince?  We want to talk to him.”

“Do you insinuate,” she laughed, “that he is a captive of mine?”

“We are all captives of Miss Morse’s,” Bransome said with a bow, “and all enemies of Somerfield’s.”

Somerfield, hearing his name, came up to them.  The Duchess, too, strolled over to the fire.  The Prime Minister and Bransome returned with Maiyo towards the corner of the room where they had been sitting.

“Prince,” the Prime Minister said, “we have been talking about your speech at the Herrick Club last night.”