d tugged at his weapon. As often the case with those men, it was
of wood. Shu[u]zen laughed. Then he gave his own scabbard to the
_chu[u]gen_. Off the fellow crawled, with gait and speed of a maimed
insect.

Meanwhile what was to be done. Shu[u]zen put his hand into the bosom of
the lady, and rummaged. Women were always dosing and fainting. Doubtless
she was provided for such contingency. Surely a perfume reached his
nostrils. Ah! Here it was. He drew out the fragrant package. Medicine
without doubt. The drug savoured strongly of musk. At last the fellow
was on hand with the liquid. Shu[u]zen made a pellet from the drug.
"Raise up your mistress. Take her in your arms." But the man drew away
in horror. He prostrated himself flat on the ground. "Deign forbearance.
To touch with a finger one of the ladies of the palace is not to be
ventured."--"Ah! Is that so?" grunted Shu[u]zen. "Circumstances of
course don't alter cases. He who will not touch a woman is usually a
most lecherous rascal." With this comment he roughly shoved aside the
awkward efforts of this meticulous attendant. Taking the operation upon
himself, he gently pressed the back of the lady's neck, forcing her to
open her mouth. Inserting the drug he poured in water from the scabbard.
A sudden slap on the back and down went the bolus. The lady opened and
shut her eyes. Then they remained open. "Be firm," commented Aoyama
Sensei. "Thanks," replied the dame. "Ah! What fright! With hand on
dagger was this Bancho[u] entered on. So near, how suspect misfortune at
hand? Truly honoured sir, great your trouble and inconvenience."

Aoyama accepted the thanks, to satisfy curiosity. "But so late abroad
... and doubtless of the honoured San Ke...." Replied the lady--"The
mission was of Kishu[u] Ke, said to be of grave import. Hence the late
hour of the night. This insignificant person is lady in waiting at the
San no Ma of the palace; Takigawa by name. The _yashiki_ of Okumura
Shu[u]zen, my father, lies close at hand. Great the cowardice shown by
this Taki." Shu[u]zen grasped the whole affair. Between Kishu[u] Ke and
the parent House the feeling in those days was none too good. Grave
suspicion on the part of one, angry resentment on that of the other. He
would see more of the matter. It was his duty as _hatamoto_. "To go
abroad with _chu[u]gen_ is no safe thing. At this hour and place
_samurai_ could well have been taken as company. As for courage--of that
kind it is not e