here for a little chat," said Ichi.
"And before we commence, I beg please to inform you I am your very dear
friend, and I think of you no ill. So--will you not be seated?"

Martin seated himself gingerly upon the edge of a chair. It was an
uncomfortable position, and his arms ached keenly from being
constrained in the unnatural position the handcuffs demanded, but he
dare not slip out a hand and relieve himself.

"Ah, let us trust none of the violence of epithet which marked my
discourse with the worthy boatswain Henry will mar our conversation,
Mr. Blake," went on Ichi. Martin perceived his conceit still smarted
under the boatswain's curses. "You are an American gentleman, the
honorable Carew is an English gentleman, I am a Japanese gentleman.
So, our discussion need not be intruded upon by those exclamations of
great explosiveness with which your wonderful English language is so
enriched. We gentlemen have civility."

"Never mind talking manners, doctor!" broke in Carew impatiently. "It
would please me if you would permit me to forget your gentility for an
hour. Come to the point! State our proposition to this fellow, and
let him make his choice."

"The point. Ah, yes," said Ichi. "You know, my captain, you people of
the West are brutal with your directness. But I shall to the point.
Ah, Mr. Blake, I am not mistaken in assuming you would with relishness
accept refreshment? You would talk with more easiness?"

"Water--coffee," said Martin briefly.

He was agreeably surprised by the question. He was again very, very
dry, and his sore throat pained him and made speaking difficult. He
was hungry, too, his supper the night before having been his last meal.
He had been looking longingly at the food and drink the Chinaman was
rapidly and silently removing from the table, which perhaps inspired
Ichi's question.

"I will offer you drink," said Ichi.

Carew snorted disgustedly but did not offer an objection.

"You will pardon us for not offering food," went on Ichi, "but you
would be unable to eat in your present condition of bondagement, and we
regret muchly our disinclination to free your hands at this juncture.
With arms free, you have impressed us most unfortunately."

He glanced toward Carew's plastered head. Carew disclosed some white,
even teeth, with a half snarl, and Martin saw beneath the concealing
mustache, as he had seen that night in San Francisco, the cruel mouth
that gave the lie to Wi