othing. Life is a jewel, to be kept at any cost. Densuke is far too
insignificant to deserve the anger of Takahashi Sama." He grovelled in
the abject terror of his petition.

Takahashi Daihachiro[u] hesitated. An idea seemed to occur to him, at
sight of the man's fear-struck state. He smiled grimly. "Densuke saw the
head?"--"'Tis so," admitted Densuke. "But to see a head means nothing."
Daihachiro[u] dragged him over to the raincoat basket. Holding him down,
he grasped the head by the cue and lifted it out. "Look!" Densuke gave a
cry of surprise at sight of the features of a once neighbour. "It is the
head of Iseya Jusuke, the money lender of Hacho[u]bori; a hard man.
Surely the Danna...."--"Just so," replied Daihachiro[u], carelessly
throwing the mortuary relic back into the basket. "Borrowing five
_ryo[u]_, in six months with the interest the sum now due is twenty-five
_ryo[u]_. Pleading illness Daihachiro[u] remained in Edo, to try and
soften the usurer. He threatened a report to my lord; grew insolent
beyond measure. The sword drawn, he was killed forthwith.... Here
Densuke finds his use and saves his life. This body is an awkward
impediment. Densuke must take and cast it away. Otherwise, a second head
is added to this first. With one already to dispose of a second gives no
difficulty. Decide: is it agreed? Moreover there will be payment." He
took out a money belt (_do[u]maki_), that of Jusuke. Densuke recognized
it. Daihachiro[u] had robbed Jusuke, after killing him. Lovingly he ran
the golden _ryo[u]_ through his fingers. Seventy of them Densuke
counted. Daihachiro[u] picked out three _ryo[u]_. "Here is payment. Life
is spared, and it is agreed to cast away the body." Stammered
Densuke--"On the rubbish heap?" Daihachiro[u] looked at him--"You fool!
Why not proclaim that Densuke murdered Jusuke? Once the gate is
passed--and this Daihachiro[u] goes in company so far--it is Densuke who
is the murderer of Jusuke. Remain in this place until night. Then off
with the body; pitch it into the ditch of Kuroda Ke, or that of Saio[u]
Dono. Daihachiro[u] now takes his meal. There is nothing wrong with it?"
He looked meaningly at Densuke. The latter, with eyes on the shining
sword, at once denied all defilement. He now plumed himself on the care
taken of the Danna's interests. Daihachiro[u] descended; to feed at ease
and keep watch over the unwilling Densuke.

In the 5th month (June) the days are long. Densuke was a coward; and