"No, your lordship, he was beheaded alive; and up to the moment that his head fell, he never ceased to insult his victor."
"Tosa is a zealous servant," said Hieyas, with a shade of irony.
"He is an infamous wretch," murmured the Prince of Nagato, "and he shall bitterly expiate his crime. I will avenge you, brave Sado!"
"How cold death is!" said Hieyas, his hands growing chill at the touch of that pale flesh; he turned, and gave Sado's head to one of the officers standing near him. "Tosa may ask me what he will," he added, addressing the envoy; "I can refuse him nothing. But there was another messenger; what tidings does he bring?"
The second messenger advanced, and prostrated himself in his turn.
"Yet another piece of good news, master," said he; "your soldiers have taken Fusimi, and are about to begin the attack on Kioto."
At these words Nagato, who still held Raiden's hand, pressed it so violently that the poor fellow almost screamed.
"Attack Kioto! What does that mean?" whispered the Prince, with horror.
"If that is so," said Hieyas, rubbing his hands, "the war will soon be over. The Mikado once in our power, Osaka must fall of its own accord."
"We must be off," said the Prince, in Raiden's ear.