"It was of a plot I wished to speak to you."
"Against your life?"
"Precisely. It was revealed to me in a strange fashion, and I can scarcely credit it; yet I cannot resist a certain feeling of uneasiness. To-morrow, at the feast of the God of the Sea, a bridge will give way beneath me."
"Horrible!" cried Nagato. "Do not go to the feast."
"If I stay away," said Fide-Yori, "I shall never know the truth, for the plot will not be carried out. But if I go to the feast," he added with a smile, "if the conspiracy really exist, the truth would be somewhat difficult of proof."
"To be sure," said Nagato. "Still, our doubts must be set at rest; some means must be found. Is your route fixed?"
"Hieyas has arranged it."
Fide-Yori took a roll of paper from a low table and read:—
"Yedogava Quay, Fishmarket Square, Sycamore Street, seashore. Return by Bamboo Hill and Swallow bridge.
"The wretches!" cried Iwakura; "that is the bridge swung across the valley!"