“Thy honorable grandson, mistress,” he corrected.
She stared at him, aghast.
“Baby-san!” She was upon her feet now, with the strength and savagery of a mother at bay. “He is here in the shiro!”
The gateman looked at her mutely.
“He has been stolen—by the maiden Omi. It is said she was in the service of the first Lady Saito Gonji.”
For a moment Lady Saito stared at the man with unbelieving eyes. Suddenly she clapped her hands loudly, but no smiling-faced, sharp-tongued Omi came running fleetly to her service. Only the swollen-eyed wife of the cook crept into the room.
“Thou knowest where—” She could not continue. Her words choked her.
“Nay, I do not know,” burst out Ochika. “She was an imp of the lowest Hades. Maledictions upon her! May Futen tear her flesh!”
“Hush!” cried Lady Saito, with a sudden violence; and almost aloud she shouted the words:
“It is the rod of the gods! From the decree of Heaven there is no escape!”