The Pawns Count

Excerpt: ... face turned towards the east-and a little shower of rose leaves, which could scarcely have fallen there by accident, at the foot of the pedestal. Lutchester inclined his head gravely, as he looked towards it, a gesture entirely reverential, almost an obeisance. Nikasti's eyes were clouded with curiosity. He slipped down to the ground. "I have travelled in your country," Lutchester said gravely, as though in explanation. "I have visited your temples. I may say that I have prayed there." "And now?" Nikasti asked. "I am for my country what you are for yours," Lutchester proceeded. "You see, I know when it is best to speak the truth. I am in New York because you are in New York, and if you leave on Saturday for Japan it may happen-of this I am not sure-but I say that it may happen that I shall accompany you." "I shall be much honoured," Nikasti murmured. "You came here," Lutchester continued, "to meet an emissary from Berlin. Your country, which could listen to no official word from any one of her official enemies, can yet, through you, learn what is in their minds. You have seen to-day Fischer and the Baron von Schwerin. Fischer has probably presented to you the letter which he has brought from Berlin. Von Schwerin has expounded further the proposition and the price which form part of his offer." Nikasti's face was imperturbable, but there was trouble in his eyes. "You have found your way to much knowledge, " he muttered. "I must find my way to more. I must know what Germany offers you. I must know what is at the back of your mind when you repeat this offer in Tokio." "You can make, then, the unwilling speak?" Nikasti demanded. "Even that is amongst the possibilities," Lutchester affirmed. "Strange things have been done for the cause which such as you and I revere." Nikasti showed his white teeth for a moment in a smile meant to be contemptuous. "It is a great riddle, this, which we toss from one to the other," he observed. "I am the simple valet...