ed through his mind with lightning rapidity. But
now, the plotters had resumed their talk. This time, it was Togi who
spoke.

"I would that the time were set for to-night," he said. "The present is
in our hands. The future is uncertain. Fortune is fickle. Fate has its
whims, its bitter jests. All is ready. One pressure on that button, and
before ten seconds have passed, the work is done. Is it wise to wait,
Namoto?"

Bert scarcely dared to breathe, while he waited for the answer. It was
long in coming. Namoto seemed wavering. Togi had spoken truly. The
present moment was his. The future was on the "lap of the gods."
Perhaps, in obedience to the mysterious laws of mind, the very presence,
though unknown, of Bert, just outside the window, made him sense dimly
some crouching danger. But the moment of indecision passed, and he
answered, slowly:

"It cannot be, Togi. We must wait. We have waited nearly three years.
Surely the gods of Japan will not desert us in the next two days. There
are many reasons for waiting, but here are two:

"The shock must come at just the right moment. It will be tenfold more
paralyzing, more panic-breeding. When bells are ringing, when crowds are
cheering, when America is exulting, when the world is watching--at just
that instant the blow must fall. The power of the unexpected is
irresistible. The enemy's fall will be more crushing, and Japan will
loom up, a sinister image of dread, that will fill the whole horizon.

"Then, too, with every hour that passes, our fleet is drawing nearer.
From all quarters of the compass they are converging. Of course, they
will not form a compact squadron, until the news is flashed to them that
the Gate has been destroyed. Then they will unite for the last great
rush upon the Coast."

"I should think," ventured Ofirio, "that so many Japanese warships in one
part of the Pacific would be noted by merchant ships and reported to
their governments. Do you not fear that suspicion may be aroused before
you are ready?"

"Not so," answered Namoto. "Our Naval Department has shown the utmost
care and caution. For a year past the vessels have been sent to various
ports along the coast of Japan. In every harbor they have lurked, one
here, another there, at Nakodate, Miyako, Nagasaki, Noshiro, Ohama, and
others. Some have been reported in the naval bulletins as drydocked.
Others have been sent, in ones and twos, on missions of courtesy or
d