astonished
_karo[u]_. Isuke's further ablutions were left to other hands. The
affair now was cleared up. The removal of the slab, the fresh air
penetrating the cavern, made the removal of the body easy. This was to
be sent to Bankei's care for proper burial and rites. Meanwhile
Shu[u]zen with interest and increasing gravity examined his prize. The
books were all on war. One was in the suspected script of the western
barbarian. From its plates, it was a work on fortification, and the art
of attack and defence. Shu[u]zen did not understand the Dutch words, but
he regarded the find as of importance, at least as adding to his own
merit. So likewise did Abe Bungo no Kami, minister for the month, and
with a great liking for Shu[u]zen. He saw to it that the affair was to
the latter's profit. The _Ometsuke_ inspected the books, inspected the
cave, drank Shu[u]zen's wine, and commended the vigilance and energy of
the _hatamoto_. The report was worth an added hundred _koku_ to his
modest income. Isuke also counted his gains with joy; a means of
continued defiance and pursuit of the foxes of the Nakano pleasure
quarter.

As to Bankei--the funeral rites had been performed, the _sutra_ read,
the body inhumed in the same mound with those of Kakunai and the horse.
Liberal had been the gift of Okumura Shu[u]zen for all these divers
interments, and great the unction of Bankei at the accomplishment and
solution of the mystery of the cave in the Bancho[u]. But one thing
rested uneasily on his mind. What the identity of the evil spirit which
caused these wonders? That night, as the abbot rested in his bed, there
appeared at his pillow a man of some thirty odd years, tall, gaunt,
hairy, ugly, and much dejected. "His eyes were prominent in his head,
his lofty nose showed ability, he had the mouth of a shark." Plainly
very great had been his wickedness. Prostrate the apparition gave
thanks to the saint. All the spice and joy of evil doing had been
exchanged for the insipidity of Paradise. Now he was threatened with
Nirvana through the prayers of the saintly abbot. In life he had been
the wicked So[u]ja Mushuku (lodgeless). A famous thief, he was the
source of the raids on purse and person, on _yashiki_ in particular and
the common people in general, which had caused much fear and distress in
Edo. The cave of the Inari, a lucky discovery, had been his safe haunt
from pursuit. None could betray him, for none of his band knew his lair.
He woul