Part 16 (2/2)
The Privy Councillor bowed.
”Therefore, you will see, we are obliged to make a proposal which may seem to you unusual--perhaps unreasonable.”
”And this proposal is?” I asked, with undisguised curiosity.
”That you should become a j.a.panese.”
I threw myself back in my chair, amazed.
”Your Excellency, I am an American citizen.”
”So I have understood.”
”An American citizen is on a level with royalty.”
”That is admitted.”
”Even the Dowager Empress of China, when engaging me in her service, though she raised my ancestors to the rank of marquises, did not ask me to forego my citizens.h.i.+p of the United States.”
”That is not necessary,” the Privy Councillor protested.
”Explain yourself, if you will be so good.”
”A man may be an American citizen, although by birth he is a Frenchman, a German, or even a negro. You yourself are a Pole, I believe.”
I could only bow.
”Now I do not propose that you should relinquish your political allegiance, but only that you should exchange your Polish nationality for a j.a.panese one.”
”But how, sir?”
”It is very simple. By being adopted into a j.a.panese family.”
I sat and stared at the j.a.panese statesman, with his mask-like face and impenetrable eyes. I seemed to be in some strange dream.
Who shall judge the ways of the Asiatic! This daring organizer, a match for the most astute minds of the West, believed that he could only make sure of fidelity by persuading me to go through what seemed the comedy of a mock adoption, a ceremony like the blood brotherhood of an African tribe.
”And suppose I consent, into what family do you purpose to introduce me?”
The Privy Councillor's look became positively affectionate as he responded:
”If you would honor me by becoming my kinsman?”
I rose to my feet, shaking my head slowly.
”I appreciate the compliment your Excellency pays me. But, as we have just now agreed, an American citizen has no equals except royalty.
Let us return to the German Emperor and his designs. If I cannot serve you directly I may be able to do so indirectly.”
<script>