alarm. O'Mino sank back
in a pool of blood. She had died in the midst of her curse. Said one
present--"This To[u]kichi would not be the honoured Sakuji Sama; nay,
not for the full seven existences in human form." The others felt as he
did. Even the _kenshi_ drew up his shoulders a little at the frightful
mask of the dead woman's face. He could learn but little. Kyu[u]bei,
soon at hand, petitioned for the dead body of O'Mino and the custody of
the infant. The neighbours corroborated the story of O'Mino; but Densuke
had disappeared. Daihachiro[u] never had confidence in his agent. His
preparations for flight had been made before Densuke's discovery, and
almost together with Densuke he had passed out the gate of Geishu[u]
Sama, with the seventy _ryo[u]_ provided by Jusuke. Report being made to
the Machibugyo[u] a "grass dividing" search was made, without result. No
trace of either man was found. As for the child born under these
auspicious conditions, Kyu[u]bei went at once to Tamiya Matazaemon and
made report. With bowed head the old man awaited the decision. Said
Matazaemon--"The name giving is to take place on the seventh night.
Kyu[u]bei will not fail to be present." He did not speak further. Thus
the offence of the parents was pardoned in O'Iwa the infant; the
grandchild of a man and woman passing the period of middle age.[10]

CHAPTER V

THE AFFAIR OF THE SHIBA KIRIDO[U]SHI[11]

It was Genroku 8th year (1695). O'Iwa, a girl of twelve years, could
understand what came to her ears. In dealing with each other the
Nipponese are very exact and exacting. The New Year must start with a
clean balance sheet for the tradesman--all bills paid and collected. The
last night of the dying year, and its last few hours; this time is the
busiest and most anxious. Zensuke, the _banto[u]_ (clerk) of the Shimaya
dry goods shop, accompanied by one Jugoro[u], was passing the Shiba
Kirido[u]shi. It was the hour of the tiger (3 A.M.). Of the two,
Jugoro[u] was the fighting man. Juro[u]zaemon of the Shimaya had
provided him with a short sword and sent him as guard to Zensuke, who
would have more than three hundred _ryo[u]_ in gold. Said
Jugoro[u]--"Banto[u] San, whither now? The hour is late."--"It is never
late on the _o[u]misoka_ (31st of the 12th month)," replied Zensuke
tersely. "However, there remains but one account to collect; at
Nishikubo. We will hasten."--"Go on ahead," said Jugoro[u]. "A moment
here for a necessity." Thu