"We have been told that a gentleman who for reasons of his own prefers to use the name of Victor McCalloway, had formerly a title more widely known."
This time McCalloway's voice was sharply edged.
"However that may be, I have now only one name, Victor McCalloway."
"That we entirely understand. Some few years back my government, in an effort to encourage Europeanizing the Chinese army, attempted to enlist your honourable services. Is that not true?"
McCalloway nodded but, as he did so, anger blazed hotly in his eyes.
"To know more about a gentleman, in private life, than he cares to state, constitutes a grave discourtesy, sirs. Whatever activities my soldiering has included, I have never been a mercenary. I have fought only under my own flag and my sword is not for hire!"
The Orientals rose and again they bowed, but this time the voice of the Count Oku dropped away its soft sheath of diplomatic suavity and, though it remained low of pitch, it carried now a ring of purpose and positiveness.
"The officer who fights for a cause is not a soldier of fortune, Excellency. The flag of the Rising Sun has a cause."
"Japan is at peace with the world. Military service can be for a cause only when it is active."
"Yes, Japan is at peace with the world--now!" The voice came sharply, almost sibilantly, with the aspirates of the race. "I am authorized to state to you that service with our high command will none the less be active--and before many months have passed. I am further authorized to state to you that the foe will be a traditional enemy of Great Britain: that our interests will run parallel with those of the British Empire--If you take service under the Sun flag, Excellency, it will be against foes of the Cross of St. George."
The two Japanese stood very erect, their beady eyes keenly agleam. Slowly, and subconsciously, Victor McCalloway too drew his shoulders back, as though he were reviewing a division. He was hearing the Russo-Japanese War forecast weeks before it burst like shrapnel on an astonished world.
"Gentlemen," he said gravely, "you must grant me leisure for thought. This is a most serious matter."
A half hour later, with cigars glowing, the guests from Japan and the guests from Louisville sat about the hearth, but on none of the faces was there any trace of the unusual or of a knowledge of great secrets.