go. Rokuzo
detained him. He spoke with timidity, but under spur of the greater
retribution. He admitted his fault. "But...."--"But what?" impatiently
interjected Naito[u]. "Is not the food furnished by his lordship ample
supply for the belly? Does a _chu[u]gen_ question his lord's generosity?
What banquet tempted this rascal...?"--"Indeed it was a banquet." Rokuzo
went into details. Kyu[u]saburo[u]'s rage increased. "You are lying. Or
does illness follow food partaken in a dream? Perhaps the rascal Sukebei
has not been paid. Is Rokuzo a thief?" Rokuzo groaned in pain and
discomfiture. He would make a clean breast of it; confess to more than
mere food. And he did. "Nor is Rokuzo the only victim. Isuke,
_chu[u]gen_ of Okumura Sama of the Bancho[u], nearly lost his life.
Others have been trapped; and others knew enough to refuse service and
run away. Truly this Rokuzo is a fool. Condescend the honoured
intercession. Ah, that banquet!" He shuddered at the thoughts aroused.
At sight of the receipt of Sukebei perforce Naito[u] Kyu[u]saburo[u]
believed. He pitied Rokuzo, administered the stoutest purges in his
pharmacy, and left him somewhat relieved in mind and body. The tale was
soon known all over the _yashiki_--to the profit of all and the
amusement of most. With gleeful malice Rokuzo would be asked to describe
his meal, the superlative flavour of the wine, for past fact and present
fancy became strangely mixed in his recital. Thus, through the report of
the _kyu[u]nin_, Naito[u] Kyu[u]saburo[u], the experience of his
_chu[u]gen_ Rokuzo came to the ears of Endo[u] Saburo[u]zaemon,
_hatamoto_ of the land, of four hundred _koku_ income, and officer in
charge of the Hiban or fire-ward at the Ushigome gate.[3]

CHAPTER II

THE _Bakemono Yashiki_

Endo[u] Saburo[u]zaemon heard the report of his officer. A slight frown
puckered his brow, and he contemplated the big toe of his immaculately
white _tabi_ (sock). "A vexatious matter! _Hatamoto_ of the land,
official duty gives occupation enough. Yet for such things to take
place, and so close to the person of the suzerain, this is not to be
permitted. Beyond his love for wine Rokuzo has shown himself
trustworthy. He is not lying?" Kyu[u]saburo[u] bowed low--"As your
lordship says. Of his illness there is no question; and that not merely
from a drunken debauch. Rokuzo is not one to be tempted by women; and to
those beyond his station he dares not raise his eyes. It was the