"What are you going to do about him?"

"What I told Yoshi."

They had all been shocked at Yoshi's revelations--Sir William almost as much as Tyrer--particularly that Nakama was wanted for the murder of Utani, one of the Elders, amongst other killings. At once he had said, "Phillip, tell Lord Yoshi as soon I get back to Yokohama I will begin a formal enquiry, and if the facts are as he says I will return him at once to the authorities.

Phillip!"

But Tyrer, speechless with disbelief, was staring blankly at Yoshi. Andr`e recovered quickly and translated for him, jerked as Yoshi snapped at him.

"He, er, Lord Yoshi says, You question my words?"' "Say, Not at all, Lord Yoshi." Sir William had kept his voice level for he had seen the eyes narrow. "But as you have your laws or customs, for instance your not being able to order this daimyo Sanjiro to obey you, I also have to comply with our laws which the Treaty specifies clearly is Yokohama's dominating law."

"He says, Sir William, Ah yes, the Treaties. In this new spirit of friendship he agrees to, to allow you the duty of giving up the ... the assassin. He'll send men to take custody tomorrow. About the Treaty, sir, he says, he said exactly, some changes are necessary, we can discuss them in twenty days."

Tyrer said quietly, "Excuse me, Sir William, about Nakama, may I suggest that--"' "No, Phillip, you may not. Andr`e, say to him exactly: We would be honored to discuss matters that affect our mutual interests at any time." He had chosen the words very carefully and breathed a sigh of relief when the reply came back, "Lord Yoshi thanks you and says, We meet in twenty days if not before and now will return to Yedo with Dr. Babcott."

When the politenesses and bows were done and Yoshi had left the room, Seratard said, "William, I think you slid out of that trap cleverly. He's cunning that one.

Congratulations."

"About the navy," the Admiral began hotly.

Sir William said, "First let me get Babcott and Tyrer on their way. Come along, Phillip!" and when he had got him outside he hissed, "What the devil's the matter with you?"' "Nothing sir."

"Then why is your face around your ankles?

Why do you forget your job is just to interpret and not make suggestions?"' "Sorry, sir, but about Nakama, sir--"' "I know it's about him for God's sake, you practically shat all over the conference table! Do you think our wily host didn't notice? Your bloody job is to translate what's said and be impassive and that's all. This is the second bloody time I've had to caution you!"

"Sorry sir, it's just that Nakama's important and--"' "You mean Hiraga, or whatever other name he's using at the moment? Jesus Christ, he's accused of murder. I agree he's been a fund of information but God Almighty, a renegade outlaw? We're lucky he didn't kill us in our beds when you think he's had the run of the Legation and your quarters."

"What do you plan to do, sir?"' "Damn it, what I've already said: investigate and if it's true as I suspect it is, we are honor bound to turn him over."

"Couldn't you consider him a political refugee?"' "Oh for goodness' sake! Have you taken leave of your senses? We demand reparations and the murderers for the murder of our nationals, so how the devil can we refuse to return to them one of theirs who's accused and probably guilty of murder of one of their rulers? Yoshi promised him a fair trial."

"He's a dead man, that's all the trial he'll get."

"If he's guilty that's all he deserves." He had held on to his temper for Tyrer had done a good job today and he had noticed the growing friendship between the two of them that had worked to his advantage: "Phillip I know he's been tremendously valuable but he has to be turned over to them--after I've seen him. I warned him in the beginning that he would have to go if they asked for him. Now forget Nakama and make sure you learn all you can about Babcott's patient. With any luck it'll be the tairo."

He led the way to the forecourt where Yoshi was mounting. Babcott waited beside a horse Pallidar had lent him, another for Tyrer. The honor guard was on alert surrounding them. At Yoshi's order the porters stood away from their poles with the bundles attached, then he beckoned Tyrer who listened, bowed and came back.

"He said you can, er, count the money at your leisure, Sir William, please give him a receipt tomorrow. That man," Tyrer pointed at Abeh, "will come for Nakama tomorrow."

"Thank him and say it will be done as he wishes."

Tyrer obeyed. Yoshi waved Abeh forward.

"Ikimasho!" They trotted off, the porters and groom trailing.

"You all set, George?"' "Yes, thanks, Sir William."

"Off you go then. Phillip, you did well today, a few more conferences like this and I will recommend you be upgraded to full interpreter."

"Thank you, sir. May I be present when you see Nakama?"' He had almost lost his temper. "How the devil can that happen when you're going to Yedo with George. Use your brains! George, give him an emetic, the poor lad's witless!"

Babcott said, "I don't really need Phillip. I thought it might be important for him to meet this "unnamed person."

"You were quite right, this meeting could be very important--Nakama, or Hiraga, whatever his name, isn't. Phillip, has that got through to you yet?"' "Yes sir, sorry sir."

Babcott leaned closer. "It might be a good idea not to hand over Nakama until we get back, just in case."

Sir William had looked up at him, this thought jumping the medical consultation to a possible new level. "You mean they might try to keep you? As a hostage? Both of you?"' Babcott shrugged. "Nakama's important to him. No harm in being wise, eh?"' Sir William frowned. "I'll expect you back tomorrow." He had waited until they were out of sight and then went back to the conference room.

At once the Admiral exploded, "Never heard so much poppycock in my life! Build them a navy? Have you taken leave of your senses?"' "That's not up to us, my dear Admiral," he had said calmly, "that would be up to Parliament."

"Or much more likely Emperor Napoleon," Seratard interrupted sharply.

"I doubt that, my dear sir," Ketterer said, his face and neck puce. "Foreign naval matters are the prime concern of the Royal Navy and any French interference in areas of British influence will be dealt with right smartly."

"Quite right," Sir William said loudly, overriding both of them as Seratard's face matched the Admiral's and he volubly began to disagree. "In any event it would be a political decision. For London and Paris."

"Political be damned," the Admiral said, jowls shaking with rage. "A dozen of our best warships in the hands of those scallywags when you see what they can do with a couple of swords? I'm totally opposed!"

"So am I," Sir William said smoothly, "totally, and will so recommend."

"What?"' "I totally agree with you. Such a major decision is entirely up to the Admiralty, assisted by the Foreign Office. Paris likewise. Not a thing we can do but report to our superiors. You should do likewise. Thank God Japanese authorities at long last approve our right to proceed against guilty parties ourselves. Don't you agree, Admiral?"' "If you're talking about your proposed, ill-advised punitive strike, here, there or anywhere, it's not yet approved by the Admiralty so it's not approved by me. I suggest we go back aboard Pearl before the rain starts..."

Sir William sighed and looked out of a wardroom porthole. The rain had stopped temporarily, the sea was still leaden but his spirit wasn't. He had the indemnity money, there was no immediate need now to flatten Yedo and through this Yoshi we'll help modernize Japan, he thought.

We'll make a happy place for it in the family of nations, happy for them as well as us.