The Ends of the Earth (16 page)

‘I know. So does Fujisaki. Thanks to his intervention, the assassination charge has been dropped. Morahan, Ward and Djabsu have been handed over to the regular police. They’re being held in Sugamo prison. It’s not exactly the Ritz, but it’s vastly preferable to being in the hands of the Kempeitai, let me assure you.’

‘That’s something, I suppose. But did Fujisaki intervene just to oblige you? I had no—’

‘He was already involved when I spoke to him, Max. A senior official at the Home Ministry he declined to name asked him to help your friends as best he could. Which he was happy to do once he realized Tomura was mixed up in what had happened.’

‘And what exactly
had
happened?’

‘It seems someone called Lewis Everett, who was working with Morahan, betrayed him to the Kempeitai. The police were called to a shop here in Ginza last night. They found Farngold shot dead in an upper room with Morahan and Everett engaged in a struggle. A third person – Twentyman – escaped at that point. Morahan was arrested. Ward and Djabsu were arrested at their hotel in Yokohama soon afterwards. Miss Hollander was to have been arrested as well, but couldn’t be found. So, it was just the three of them who were handed over to the Kempeitai – and not for long, fortunately.’

‘We need to know who this senior official at the Home Ministry is, Cyril.’

‘Fujisaki wouldn’t be drawn on the point. And he knew I was protecting someone’s identity as well, of course.’

‘Mine, you mean?’

‘I couldn’t account for knowing anything about the affair without admitting I was acting on behalf of someone else. I assured him of your bona fides and he accepted my assurance. He hazarded a guess that you were a friend of the men detained and the two fugitives. I could hardly deny it. But nor, in the circumstances, could I press him for further details of who he was cooperating with at the Home Ministry, or what more he was doing for him.’

‘He is doing more, then, you think?’

‘That’s the impression he gave me. Fujisaki started out working under Kuroda, remember. He knows more about Tomura than most and probably believes he was responsible for Kuroda’s death – the death of a man Fujisaki respected immensely. He won’t shy away from tackling Tomura if he can. But as far as I can tell he has nothing he can actually tackle him
with
.’

‘Maybe I can supply something.’

‘I’m glad to hear you say that. Because Fujisaki wants to meet you.’

‘But he doesn’t even know who I am.’

‘“Tell your anonymous friend to wait by the statue of Saigo Takamori in Ueno Park at four o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Perhaps we can help each other.” That’s what he said.’

‘Saigo Takamori?’

‘You’ve heard of him?’

‘You mentioned him in your report to the Foreign Office, Cyril. The one I’ve read.’

Hodgson looked bemused by his own forgetfulness. ‘Of course. So I did.’

‘The defeat of his rebellion … in 1881 … led to the foundation of Dark Ocean.’

‘Actually, it was Dark Ocean that was founded in 1881 – reportedly. Saigo Takamori’s rebellion was put down in 1877. Dark Ocean adopted him as a posthumous hero. Of course, dead heroes are the most convenient kind. They can’t object to the values and opinions attributed to them.’

‘If he was a rebel, why has a statue been erected in his memory?’

‘After his defeat, he took his own life in an honourable fashion. The Emperor decided to rehabilitate him. Shortly after the attempt on the Tsarevich’s life, as I recall. He may have hoped to detach Saigo’s name from Dark Ocean’s cause. Unlike him, they’re certainly not trying to turn the clock back to the days of the Samurai. Still, Fujisaki’s choice of rendezvous does seem oddly symbolic for a man who I’d have thought had no time for symbolism. I take it you will meet him?’

Max nodded. ‘Of course.’

‘I told him I was sure you would. His proposal surprised me, though. It’s out of keeping with his cautious nature. As you say, he doesn’t know who you are. So, meeting you is something of a risk.’

‘One he won’t regret taking.’

‘I hope not. Just as I hope I won’t regret keeping all this to myself a little longer.’

‘You won’t.’ Max smiled encouragingly. ‘You have my word.’

WEDNESDAY WAS STIFLINGLY
hot. Max kept mostly to his room at the hotel, bar one excursion to the main post office in Nihombashi, where he rented a box in the name of Greaves. Time dragged slowly by. At three o’clock, with enormous relief, he set off for Ueno.

The taxi set him down at Ueno station, next to the park, within sight of Saigo Takamori’s statue. The old samurai was cast in bronze atop a high pedestal, clad in a
yukata
, pet dog by his side and a sword at his waist. Some children were sitting on the railings around the pedestal, engaged in a game that involved snapping and tossing twigs. There was no sign of anyone looking like a senior police officer.

But Max was early for his appointment, so he was not surprised. He walked on past the statue to the tree-shaded bank of Shinobazu Pond, lit a cigarette and wandered along its perimeter, donning a pair of sunglasses he had bought in Shanghai to shield his eyes from the bright pink glare of the lotus flowers covering much of the water. After a while he turned back.

Walking towards him was a middle-aged Japanese man in a worn grey suit and fedora. He was taller and broader than the average Japanese, with a grizzled beard and separate moustache. He looked directly at Max and nodded.

Max did not know how to react, but was spared the need to ponder the point when the man stepped directly into his path. He flicked a card out of his pocket and showed it to Max. It bore an insignia of some kind and a quantity of Japanese script.

‘I am Fujisaki,’ the man said. ‘You will have to believe me that this is my police warrant-card.’

‘I believe you,’ said Max evenly.

‘I saw you pass the statue and I thought: he is right; it will be better to talk while walking by the pond.’ Fujisaki bowed slightly. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you, Maxted-san.’

Max was taken aback. Hodgson had assured him he had withheld his name. ‘You know who I am?’

‘Commissioner Kuroda wrote to you from Marseilles. He wrote to me also. He predicted you would come to Japan. When Hodgson told me of a young man trying to help his friends, I knew it must be you. Even though your friends believe you are dead.’

How they had been given Dombreux’s account of his demise Max could only guess, but, though he regretted the distress they must have been caused by it, he took some consolation from this confirmation that his survival was not yet suspected. ‘How do you know what they believe?’

‘I have had confidential discussions with Yamanaka Fumiko of the Home Ministry. He is the elder brother of Yamanaka Eisaku, who gave assistance to Mr Morahan and Mr Twentyman in Paris. He is sheltering Mr Twentyman and Miss Hollander. We have done as much as we can for Mr Morahan. As for Mr Twentyman and Miss Hollander, arrangements have been made for them to leave Japan tonight. I cannot protect them from arrest otherwise. And I cannot protect you, if Count Tomura learns you are alive.’

‘Where are Sam and Malory? I need to speak to them.’

‘They are in a place of safety. And by tomorrow they will be out of the country. Mr Morahan and the two other men arrested will be freed eventually, I think, though it may take many months. My advice to you is to leave Japan as quietly as you entered it. There is nothing you can do here.’

‘How much do you know about Count Tomura, Commissioner?’

‘Enough. He has formed an alliance with Fritz Lemmer. I know of what they intend.’

‘Their plans will damage your country.’

Fujisaki nodded solemnly. ‘So Kuroda believed. So I believe.’

‘I mean to stop them.’

‘It is foolish to attempt what you cannot achieve.’

‘Where are Sam and Malory?’

Fujisaki sighed. ‘Let us walk.’

They headed on round the pond at a measured pace. Fujisaki lit a cigarette and took several thoughtful draws on it.

‘If you speak to Mr Twentyman and Miss Hollander before they leave, they will not leave after all, will they? They will stay and try to help you finish what Mr Morahan started.’

‘I’ll urge them to go. I can do this alone. I just need to find out how they got into so much trouble.’

‘I am sorry, Maxted-san, but I do not agree. They will stay. Then all three of you will need my help. And in helping you I will become known to Count Tomura – and to Lemmer – as an enemy.’

‘You’re afraid you’ll end up like Kuroda?’

‘Of course. But I would be prepared to risk that if I was convinced you really could stop them.’

‘I really can.’

‘How?’

‘I can’t tell you, Commissioner. The fewer who know my plans the better.’

‘Mmm. I see.’ Fujisaki glanced out across the pond. ‘You like lotuses?’

‘Very pretty.’

‘Some say they have heard the flowers pop when they open. Others say they make no sound. It is not easy to believe they do … unless you have heard it.’

‘Have you?’

‘Not yet. Policemen are too busy to linger by lotus ponds. You must convince me, Maxted-san. Otherwise I will not put your friends’ lives – and mine – in danger by telling you all I know of Count Tomura and his German friend. You must convince me you have a weapon to use against them. And I must hear what it is. The letter I received from Kuroda included a message from Marquess Saionji.’

‘From
Saionji
?’

‘Yes. In Meiji ten – 1877, as you would have it – at the time of Saigo Takamori’s rebellion, Saionji was a junior advisor at the Japanese legation in Paris. Saigo tried to buy arms and ammunition for his rebel army from European dealers. Saionji suggested the best way to prevent this was for the legation to outbid Saigo. As a result, his supply was cut off and his army defeated. It is an interesting story. It shows how, even as a young man, Saionji could combat an enemy from a great distance without appearing to do anything.’

‘Is he combating Tomura and Lemmer from a great distance?’

‘He is trying to. He was born in Kyoto, when it was still the capital. He has a house there, Seifu-so. He told Commissioner Kuroda that you and anyone you vouched for could have sanctuary at Seifu-so if you needed it.’

‘Kind of him, I’m sure, but we’re a long way from Kyoto.’

‘Yet he seems to think you may find yourself there in the future.’

‘Why would he think that?’

Fujisaki stopped and looked at Max intently. ‘I am listening for the pop of the lotus, Maxted-san. If I do not hear it, I will say no more.’

So Max took the plunge and told him, about the secret son Lemmer had lodged at a Swiss boarding school and how, at word from Max, the boy would be abducted and held until Lemmer had given up the names of his spies and the ‘great secret’ that would bring down Tomura. And Fujisaki listened, attentively and silently, to every word. And then they walked on.

‘How old is the boy?’ came Fujisaki’s first question.

‘Fifteen.’

‘You will threaten to kill him?’

‘Yes.’

‘But you will not, of course, whatever Lemmer does.’

‘No. But Lemmer must believe we are willing to kill him.’

‘Kuroda was certain Lemmer possessed a letter sent by Prime Minister Terauchi to German Foreign Minister Zimmermann early in 1917 agreeing terms for Japan to change sides in the war.’

‘He will be required to surrender it.’

‘To save the life of his son.’

‘His
only
son.’

‘Have you any children, Maxted-san?’

‘No. You?’

‘Yes.’ Fujisaki nodded. ‘There is nothing else I could imagine that would be effective against a man such as Lemmer. But this …’ He nodded again, more decisively. ‘I will help you as far as I can.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Thank me when it is over, if we are both still alive. We are putting our heads in the mouth of a tiger. You understand?’

‘I do.’

‘Very well. Some of the information I will give you I obtained personally, some I obtained from Yamanaka Fumiko. Lemmer entered the country June twentieth. He is staying at the Imperial Hotel under the name of Frederik Boel. He is using a Danish passport. He has been introduced by Count Tomura to several senior government members. Also to the head of the Kempeitai. Two days ago, he visited the Imperial Navy base at Yokosuka. He is accompanied by his secretary, also Danish, according to her passport – Anna Staun.’

‘Real name Anna Schmidt.’

‘
Arigato gozaimasu
. Anna Schmidt. Count Tomura arrived with them, accompanied by his son and manservant and two other people now staying at his house here in Tokyo: a Russian woman called Natasha Kisleva and a Frenchman called Patrice Brasseur.’

So, Nadia was using the same alias she had in Scotland. As for a Frenchman called Brasseur, there was only one person he could be. Dombreux’s failure to meet Max in Lausanne was now explained, though as yet it was unclear whether he had travelled to Japan by choice or by diktat of Lemmer. ‘Their real names are Nadia Bukayeva and Pierre Dombreux.’

‘
Mata arigato gozaimasu.
Nadia Bukayeva; Pierre Dombreux. Hodgson will have told you that Lewis Everett is the witness who accused Morahan of the murder of Jack Farngold. He and two other men, Albert Duffy and Howard Monteith, have made statements to the police accusing Morahan of killing Farngold as part of a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Hara. I will try to arrange for the investigation of their accusations to proceed very slowly. So far, the only formal charge against Morahan, Djabsu and Ward is murder. Everett, Duffy and Monteith are at the Metropole Hotel in Tsukiji. Count Tomura’s house is in Akasaka. I will tell you exactly where presently. It is well guarded. It seems he believes there are people who may wish to harm him or his guests.’

‘From what I hear, Tomura’s done enough over the years to collect quite a few enemies.’

‘Perhaps over the centuries. The Tomuras were feudal lords even before the Tokugawa Shogunate, but it was as allies of the Tokugawas that they grew powerful. Their castle still stands north of Kyoto. Tomura’s second wife lives there.’