"Did you not find him?" Bob started up anxiously. "He was with us. He was wounded. Surely you helped him to escape?"
"I am very sorry, sir. I heard that a wounded Chinaman belonging to your party was missing--presumably captured by the Manchus. I had no idea that he was a Japanese disguised, still less that he was Kobo San."
"Nothing. They were exhausted with hard riding, and much agitated. They mentioned no name but your own."
Bob lay back in mute hopelessness. Kobo had fallen into the hands of his enemy! Something must be done to save him. Bob dared not think of the nameless tortures he might suffer at the cruel hands of Chang-Wo.
"How long ago did this happen?" he asked.
"Can't you do something to help him? You know him--how valuable he is to your country. Surely something can be done."
"I regret more than I can say. I would do anything possible for Kobo San, but I must obey orders. I should have pursued the fleeing Manchus had I not been instructed not to advance beyond a certain line. Kobo San will know how to die for Japan."
Bob could say no more. At that moment he almost wished that he could exchange places with Kobo. He knew that Kobo himself would meet his fate with the serenity that characterized his every thought and action; but the knowledge that so brave and heroic a man, when safety was in sight, should have fallen at the eleventh hour into the clutches of his vindictive and merciless enemy, was a bitter disappointment.
The two companies of Japanese infantry who had rescued Bob and his party occupied a small adjacent village that night. Herr Schwab had to submit to the further indignity of being kept under guard. In the morning Bob, who had recovered somewhat from his blow and subsequent fall, asked to be taken to see the implacable correspondent. He found Herr Schwab busily writing.
"No, it is not var gorresbondence," said the German, without looking up, "it is business; so you, Mr. Japanese, vill besokind as leave me in beace."
"And how _is_ business, Mr. Schwab?" asked Bob.
"Vat!" said Schwab, turning with a start; "do I see Mr. Fawcett? It is vonderful, it is incredible! I am glad indeed to meet vat I may viz bermission call a friend. My heart is fery heafy. It is years since I make a so disastrous journey. Vat hafe I done? Nozink. My egsbenses--vere are zey? I do not bay vun shilling in ze bound. My embloyers--zey regard me as colossal humbug. I write letters--yes, dree golumns ze day: 'Imbressions of Japan', 'Views in Korea', 'A Gairman at ze Front'; and zey vire me, four shillings ze vord, 'Gife us var news'. Var news!"