elf."

Thus in short order the straight haired, unshaven, low browed
To[u]kichi stuck his head into the Sanbashi guard house. "Deign to
pardon this To[u]kichi. The honoured benevolence...." The ward officer
eyed him knowingly and quizzically. "Shut up! Magome Dono has questions
to ask about clients. Wait until the questions deal with the doings of
To[u]kichi. That will be well. Then it will be time enough to lie.
Meanwhile, be sure and tell the truth." With this disinterested advice
To[u]kichi was passed to the presence. Once more conscience spoke louder
than caution. "The honoured benevolence, the honoured pity; condescend
the honoured examination into the innocence of To[u]kichi." Yaemon
laughed. "Fortunately it is not a matter of To[u]kichi, but of his
plasters. Who bought these at this year's Sho[u]gwatsu (New Year)? Be
careful in answer. The case is a bad one." To[u]kichi considered. "The
first day of the New Year a man came. His purchase of salve was large.
In the course of the past three months he has been many times to buy.
His visits now are wider spaced, and he praises the goods--as he ought.
No hand ever had a worse poisoned wound. He...."--"Age and appearance?"
interrupted Yaemon, now all attention. He had struck a trail. "Perhaps
fifty years; fair of complexion, tall, and stout. By his lordly manner
he must at least be a _go-kenin_, or a charlatan." Who was this man?
Yaemon felt sure that he was about to learn something of interest. Kuma
was given his instructions. "Go daily to the shop of this man and
receive his report. As to the _samurai_ in question be circumspect.
Evidently he is no ordinary person. A _samurai_ is to be summoned, not
disgraced by arrest--if he is a _samurai_." So Kuma with several aides
established himself in the rear of To[u]kichi's shop. The man not having
put in an appearance for several weeks, the wait, if uncertain, was soon
rewarded. On the 25th day of the 3rd month (May) he presented himself.
Kuma recognized him at once by the description; sooner than To[u]kichi,
who was engaged in filling his little shells with the marvellous salve.
The officer's decision was prompt. At a call To[u]kichi turned from his
drugs. "Ah! the honoured Sir. And the arm, does it honourably
progress?"--"Progress could not be better. This is probably the last
visit." In replying the man eyed To[u]kichi with some astonishment. The
latter made his bows, first to the newcomer, then to the indefinite rear
of