“You are her mother-in-law. You know where she is. I will not release you till you speak.”
“Go to Okido-sama, the Nakoda,” she said sullenly.
“Okido-sama?”
“He knows!” said she.
He let her arm go and she, free, pushed the shoji viciously closed, attempting to crush his hand in the opening.
“Okido-sama!” he repeated thoughtfully, “Okido-sama, the Nakoda!”
CHAPTER XV
Okido-sama, the Nakoda, was squatting comfortably upon his heels eating his warm rice and fish when Richard Verley came to his door. During the absence of the minister, Okido had apparently prospered. His house was new. His servants many and obsequious. The one who hastened to respond to the minister’s knock did not recognize him in the darkened rainy evening. He perceived only a barbarian and, knowing his master’s trade, saw in him a possible customer.