The Bunch of Violets | Page 4

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! ��
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 the valley of Kedu are considered very fine and the river itself-"
It was Darragh whom Violet had heard approaching, and he entered the room in a much better temper than he had left it. At the door he paused a moment to encourage someone forward-a seedy, diffident man of more than middle age, who carried a brown-paper parcel.
"Come on, Sim; hurry up, man!" urged Darragh impatiently, but without the