Albert spent the morning inspecting the boxes before Harris tied them up. He used a fancy knot his captain father taught him.
“Hopefully that will slow the curious down.”
Porters with luggage carts lined the station platform. He waved to one. The man came in to remove them.
Albert said to him, “We are to leave on the steamer bound for Japan.”
“It arrived yesterday. Boarding for the return voyage can commence in three days.”
Harris announced as he picked up their personal luggage. “That’s alright. We booked rooms in the Palace Hotel. Please deliver them there for storage.”
Albert cocked his head sideways. “Booked rooms, huh?”
“My benefactor plans ahead.”
They exited the train and walked along the platform. A huge commotion erupted behind them. News reporters shoved each other trying for a better position. A camera light flashed. The Japanese emissary and his enormous staff were being escorted, with pompous ceremony, from the train.
“Dr. Timmons, please wait,” called Izumi.
Loud shouts for attention from the newsmen drowned her out.
They followed the porter pushing the cart full of Albert’s boxes. At the hotel, Harris approached the desk. “I believe we have a reservation under Dr. Albert Timmons.”
“Yes, here it is. A two-room suite paid in advance for a week.”
“Our boxes need to be stored. We leave on the steamer for Japan. Please notify us when we can board.”
“Of course. Oh, Dr. Timmons, I received a telegraph for you.” He handed the folded paper to him.
Albert gave it a quick glance. “It’s from father. I’ll read it later.”
“Boy,” the desk manager called out, “show them to 205a.”
“Your benefactor has extravagant tastes,” Albert commented as he checked out the rooms. He stared out the window and studied the vast city below.
Harris tipped the boy and closed the door. “Favorite hotel of President McKinley when he is in San Francisco. Have a chance to read the telegraph?”
Albert unfolded the paper and frowned. “Doesn’t sound like him.”
“That’s because he didn’t send it. Roosevelt did. The message is in code,” Harris replied.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“Explain it then.”
“Why not go out to a restaurant? Feel solid land under our feet. I’ll decipher the message for you.”
After lunch, they strolled down the sidewalk until coming to a park. Harris indicated an unoccupied bench. Sitting down, he asked, “You’re not limping or using the cane. Foot better?”
“Yes. Noticed that this morning. My foot slid into the shoe, no problem. “I’m glad you talked me into letting Izumi do the last treatments.”
“She did not appreciate me watching, though.”
“Or my autocratic demand she only touches my foot. Any more distracted me. I showed her my preliminary design of the dragon device. She approved of its shape. Said ‘it almost looked alive’. Now, tell me what this means.” Albert pulled out the message and read it aloud:
“Dear Son,
Want to wish you a safe trip
Glad you enjoy the adventure
Telegraph if you need money
Send messages when can
Love,
The Admiral”
Harris nodded and read it his way. “What it actually says is:
Agent,
Understand the danger
Mission is of utmost importance
Help in place
Will contact you
Secrecy important,
Roosevelt”
Albert sat forward, chin resting on the head of his cane.
Harris lowered the paper, “You can call this off anytime. Just tell me.”
“Not that easy. We will probably be kidnapped and carried onto the ship.”
“You, yes. Me, they dump in an alley.”
“We continue at least this way and leave with some dignity. I need to return to the hotel. There is part of the dragon design that is bothering me. I want to put down on paper my revision.”
Entering the hotel lobby, they noticed the desk manager’s frantic wave. “Dr. Timmons, this man demands a key to your room.”
An immense Japanese man confronted him. “Emissary said you are to stay in his suites. I came to move you.”
“I’m sure my valet can handle everything.”
“No. Only you. He stays in your rooms.”
A gleam appeared in Albert’s eyes. Anyone who knew him would recognize it as his stubborn expression. “Then, I stay. We will not be separated. Keys.”
The desk manager handed them to him.
“Tell Emissary Tamako we will meet him on the steamer in three days,” and stalked off to the elevator.
Harris grinned and followed him.
“Just as I thought. The original design will not work. I have to start over.” Albert sat at the table and wadded up another sheet of paper.
Harris was stretched out on the sofa reading a newspaper. “How many does that make? Six?”
“Lost count. Front and back legs need to move in unison. Center control must go down the spine. I have an idea. Harris drop to the floor, crawl toward me on hands and knees.”
He set the paper aside and sat up. “You have got to be joking. Study the cat that sleeps on the balcony. I’ll personally wake him up for you.”
“That probably is a better idea,” was Albert’s serious reply.
Someone tapped on their door.
Harris checked the clock. “Either food or Izumi.”
“Izumi, she’s due for another foot soak.”
Upon entering with the rolling cart, she glared at Harris who had plopped down on the sofa and ordered Albert, “You need to lay down.”
“Can’t spare the time. I have an idea that needs to be drawn. Just soak the foot.”
“The design goes well?” She ignored Harris’s derisive snort.
“Too early. Working out the organized movement of clogs and gears.”
“Tonight, city officials are sponsoring a party for Emissary Tamako. He requests you attend with him.” She waited for his response.
The cat chose that moment to jump from the balcony railing and enter their room. Albert studied the animal’s progress. He pulled out a clean sheet of paper and picked up his pencil. Lost in a design concept, he ignored all around him.
“He’ll be there in suitable attire. What time?” Harris asked.
“Eight.” Unused to being ignored, she stood, put her supplies on the cart, and pushed it to the door without another word.