Women had no business to travel alone. It was all very well when they
toured in parties of eight or ten; but for a charming young woman like
Elsa, attended by a spinster companion who doubtless dared not offer
advice, it was decidedly wrong. And thereupon he determined that her
trip to Yokohama should find her well guarded.

"I beg your pardon," said a pleasant voice.

The consul-general had been so deeply occupied by his worry that he had
not noticed the entrance of the speaker. He turned impatiently. He
saw a tall blond man, bearded and tanned, with fine clear blue eyes
that met his with the equanimity of the fearless.

XIII

AFTER TEN YEARS

The consul-general had, figuratively, a complete assortment of masks,
such as any thorough play-actor might have, in more or less constant
demand, running the gamut from comedy to tragedy. Some of these masks
grew dusty between ships, but could quickly be made presentable.
Sometimes, when large touring parties came into port, he confused his
masks, being by habit rather an absent-minded man. But he possessed a
great fund of humor, and these mistakes gave him laughable
recollections for days.

He saw before him an exquisite, as the ancient phrase goes, backed by
no indifferent breed of manhood. Thus, he believed that here was a
brief respite (as between acts) in which the little plastic hypocrisies
could be laid aside. The pleasant smile on his high-bred face was all
his own.

"And what may I do for you, sir?" He expected to be presented with
letters of introduction, and to while away a half-hour in the agreeable
discussion of mutual acquaintance.

"I should like a few minutes' private talk with you," began the
well-dressed stranger. "May I close the door?" The consul-general,
with a sense of disappointment, nodded. The blond man returned and sat
down. "I don't know how to begin, but I want you to copy this
cablegram and send it under your own name. Here it is; read it."

So singular a request filled the consul-general with astonishment.
Rather mechanically he accepted the slip of paper, adjusted his
glasses, and read--

"The Andes Construction Company, New York: A former employee of yours
wishes to make a restitution of eight thousand dollars, with interest
to date. He dares not give his name to me, but he wishes to learn if
this belated restitution will lift the ban against his returning to
America and resuming his citizenship. Reply collect