“He might,” returned Echizen, dubiously, “but such is the temper of the man that, while bidding us make war upon the shogunate, he would also warn us that if the shogunate prevailed he could do nothing for us—he would leave us to die.”
With knotted brows, Mori considered long. Then:
“You think Aidzu is endeavoring at this moment to discredit me with the Emperor by laying responsibility for Hasuda at my door?”
“Yes, this very instant.”
Mori leaned out from the norimon and signed to the runners. They halted.
“One question more,” he said to Echizen. “Have you convenient access to the Emperor?”
“At any hour,” Echizen answered. Mori bent towards the runners.
“Full speed,” he cried, “to the Emperor’s palace.”
The norimon started ahead.
“To the Emperor’s palace?” repeated Echizen. “What are you going to do?”