The Bunch of Violets | Page 4

Hulse has left, Kato
can easily slip out and change coats then."
Darragh was already on his restless way towards the door. Apparently
he did not think it worth while to reply to either of the speakers, but his
expression, especially when his eyes turned to Violet, was one of active
contempt. As the door closed after him, Kato sprang to his feet and his
impassive look gave place to one almost of menace. His hands
clenched unconsciously and with slow footsteps he seemed to be drawn
on in pursuit. A little laugh, mirthless and bitter, from the couch, where
Violet had seated herself, recalled him.
"Is it true, Katie," she asked idly, "that you are really the greatest
ju-jitsuist outside Japan?"
"Polite other people say so," replied the, Japanese, his voice at once
gentle and deprecating.

"And yet you cannot keep down even your little temper! Ò
Kato thought this over for a moment; then he crossed to the couch and
stood regarding the girl with his usual impenetrable gravity.
"On contrary, I can keep down my temper very well," he said seriously.
"I can keep it so admirably that I, whose ancestors were Samurai and
very high nobles, have been able to become thief and swindler and"-his
moving hand seemed to beat the air for a phrase-'land lowdown dog
and still to live. What does anything it matter that is connected with me
alone? But there are three things that do matter-three that I do not allow
myself to be insulted and still to live, my emperor, my country,
and-you. And so," concluded Kato Kuromi, in a somewhat lighter vein,
now and then, as you say, my temper gets the better of me slightly."
"Poor Katie," said Violet, by no means disconcerted at this delicate
avowal. "I really think that I am sorrier for you than I am for Hugh, or
even for myself. But it's no good becoming romantic at this time of day,
my dear man." The lines of her still quite young and attractive face
hardened in keeping with her thoughts. "I suppose I've had my chance.
We're all of a pattern and I'm as crooked as any of you now."
"No, no," protested Kato loyally; "not you of yourself. It is we bad
fellows round you. Darragh ought never to have brought you into these
things, and then to despise you for your troubles-that is why my temper
now and then ju-jitsues me. This time it is the worst of all-the young
man Hulse, for whose, benefit you pass yourself as the, sister of your
husband. How any mortal man possessing you-"
"Another cigarette, Katie, please," interrupted Violet, for the
monotonous voice had become slightly more penetrating than was
prudent. "That's all in the way of business, my friend. We aren't a firm
of family solicitors. Jack Hulse had to be fascinated and I-well, if there
is any hitch I don't think that it can be called my fault," and she
demonstrated for his benefit the bewitching smile that had so
effectually enslaved the ardent Beringer.
"Fascinated!" retorted Kato, fixing on the word jealously, and refusing

to be pacified by the bribery of the smile. "Yes, so infatuated has
become this very susceptible young man that you lead him about like
pet lamb at the end of blue ribbon. Business? Perhaps. But how have
you been able to do this, Violet? And you husband-Darragh-to him
simply business, very good business-and he forces you to do this full of
shame thing and mocks at you for reward."
"Kato, Kato-" urged Violet, breaking through his scornful laughter.
"I am what your people call yellow man," continued Kato relentlessly,
"and you are the one white woman of my dreams-dreams that I would
not lift finger to spoil by trying to make real. But if I should have been
Darragh not ten thousand times the ten thousand pounds that Hulse
carries would tempt me to lend you to another man's arms."
"Oh, Katie, how horrid you can be!"
"Horrid for me to say, but 'business' for you to do! How have you
discovered so much, Violet-what Hulse carries, where he carries it, the
size and shape the packet makes, even the way he so securely keeps it?
'Business' eh? Your husband cares not so long as we succeed. But I,
Kato Kuromi, care." He went nearer so that his mere attitude was
menacing as he stood over her, and his usually smooth voice changed
to a tone she had never heard there before. "How have you learned all
this? How, unless you and Hulse-"
"Sssh!" she exclaimed in sharp dismay as her ear caught a sound
beyond.
"---oh yes," continued Kato easily, his voice instantly as soft and
unconcerned as ever, it will be there, you mean. The views in