From time to time, as in the other meeting, he saw the man he had dubbed "Shifty Eyes" whisper to the young Elder, the spokesman--only to him.
Why? Tyrer asked himself. And why does Shifty Eyes take no part in any of their discussions, seemingly dismissed by them, keeping his eyes constantly on the Ministers and not the interpreters.
Abruptly Sir William motioned at the empty chair: "If the Shogun was not expected at this meeting, and there are five Elders in the roju, why is there an empty chair?"
Back and forth, forth and back and then: "He says the President of their Council, Lord Anjo, has just been taken ill and cannot be here, but that does not matter, they have his authority to proceed. Please proceed."
Von Heimrich, said in perfect French as a put-down to Seratard, "Doesn't this invalidate the meeting, didn't they keep harping on the "unanimous" nature of this Council?
Five men. This could be another deceitful ploy to be used in future to negate the whole proceedings." Again an argument began.
Only Sir William was silent. He was keeping his fury, and anxiety, off his face.
Clearly we've been duped again. What to do?
Then heard himself say in a firm voice: "Very well, we will accept this authority as bona fide from your Shogun, for this meeting only. We will inform our governments that prior agreement was not adhered to and we will proceed to Kyoto as soon as possible to present credentials properly to your Shogun--and Emperor Komei--with a more than suitable escort."
As Johann began to translate into Dutch, Count Zergeyev murmured, "Bravo--that's the only way to deal with the matyeryebitz!" Von Heimrich and van de Tromp, the Dutchman, quietly agreed, to the objections of Seratard, Adamson the American and Erlicher.
The Japanese interpreter gaped and said loudly he was sure that he had misunderstood.
Johann told him there was no misunderstanding.
During this lengthy back and forth, Sir William closed his ears to them, watching the faces of the roju intently as they listened to the interpreter.
In varying degrees all of them became unsettled. Good, he thought.
"With the usual palaver, Sir William, but with a heavy load of polite apologies this time, he says it won't be possible to see the Shogun in Kyoto, the weather is very inclement at this time of the year, but they will make sure the moment he's back, etc., etc."
Sir William smiled mirthlessly. "Say to them: Inclement or not, we will visit the Emperor in the very near future, stress that Johann. On that basis only we will proceed."
The roju received that in stony silence.
In turn, Sir William first, then the others, got up and bowed, spoke his name and rank and the country he represented, and offered his credentials. These were accepted with dignity. Each time the roju bowed back, respectfully.
"Now," Sir William said, his chin jutting.
"To proceed with the second business of the meeting: Her Majesty's Government reaffirms that on Friday the 12th September, this Year of Our Lord, 1862, an English gentleman was foully murdered in daylight by samurai of the Satsuma contingent under the command of their king Sanjiro. Two others were wounded. Her Majesty's Government demands the murderers be handed over or dealt with publicly according to Japanese law, that a reparation of one hundred thousand pounds sterling in gold be paid forthwith, an apology published and a public guarantee promulgated that this will not happen again.
Next: the second and final payment of five thousand pounds sterling in gold as reparation for the murders of Sergeant Gunn and Corporal Roper in our Legation last year, weeks overdue, be paid in gold in three days or the amount is doubled every day thereafter..."
Sir William allowed time for Johann to translate word for word but allowing no discussion until he had finished the list, Adamson had demanded reparations for the murder of the American official, and last, the Russian Minister.
Count Zergeyev, his multitude of medals and decorations clinking on his gold-braided uniform said, "A Russian officer and one soldier off our man-of-war, Gudenev, were hacked to death in Yokohama on 16th of February, last year," then added to the consternation of the others, "For reparations, Tsar Alexander II of all the Russias, demands the Kurile Islands."
During the translations, Sir William leaned over and whispered pleasantly in Russian: "A nice jest, Count Alexi, forof course Her Majesty's Government could never agree to such an intrusion into our sphere of influence."
"Perhaps, perhaps not. War is coming in Europe again. Soon we'll have to see who are our friends, and who enemies."
Sir William chuckled. "That's always a problem for certain countries. The United Kingdom has no permanent enemies, only permanent interests."
"True, dear friend, but you forgot to add "no permanent friends." Also now, with Vladivostok, we're a Pacific power."
"Power from sea to sea? The dream of the Tsars, eh?"
"Why not? Better us than some," Count Alexi said pointedly, then shrugged. "The Kuriles? If not them some other islands--merely to protect Vladivostok."
"We must discuss your "curious" Pacific presence under more perfect conditions. My Government is most interested."
Seratard, not understanding Russian and furious that he had not been party to this exchange, said coldly in French, "I trust, Sir William, you are well aware of French interests."
"As always, Monsieur, the interests of gallant allies are forefront in the mind of Her Majesty's Foreign Office."
"Sir William," Johann said wearily, "the Elder says... he's only repeating their previous position that they've no jurisdiction over Satsuma, don't know who the murderers are, and think any reparation should be claimed from Satsuma itself, through correct channels of course."
"What correct channels?"
Back and forth: "He says through them, that they'll pass on your request to Satsuma again."
"It's not a request, by God. We will try one final time, stress that Johann, a different tack," Sir William said. "Say, Do they punish murderers, and tell the interpreter I require a yes or no. Only."
Back and forth: "He says, Sir William, that under some circum--"
"Murder for Christ's sake. Yes or no!
Phillip, say it in Japanese!"
Tyrer's stomach twisted. He had been watching the swarthy Elder whispering again but bravely he jumped to his feet. "Honored Lords, please excuse my poor Japanese but my Master ask, please if when murder, you kill murder man, yes or no please."
Silence. The Elders looked at Yoshi who stared at Tyrer, hands playing with his fan. The man alongside whispered to him and he nodded.
"The penalty for murder is death."
"He says yes, sir. For murder, the penalty is death," Tyrer said, having learned those key words from Nakama who had also explained the Japanese penal code and its severity.
"Tell him thank you."
"My Master say thank you, Lord."
"Now ask him, Is it correct to demand a reparation for such a crime, Yes or no?"
"Lord, please excuse me but is... is ... I..." Tyrer stopped, his mind a sudden blank, "sorry Sir William I don't know the word for "reparations."
At once Andr`e Poncin leapt in with, "The word's bakkin, Sir William, and little known, may I try please?"
"Go ahead."