Within an inner chamber, crouching in seeming fear, Toro found a figure dressed in the garments his knowledge told him were Imperial. He knew that the central, palace was the Mikado’s residence. To the crouching figure Toro made respectful obeisance.
“Oh, Son of Heaven, yield thyself to me. I shall care reverently for thy person,” he said.
The figure raised a pallid face, while trembling lips murmured:
“Wouldst thou lay profane hands upon the sacred person of thy Emperor?”
“It is he!” cried Toro, delighted. “Seize him, my men, and carry him off.” He modified his command to add: “Touch him with respect, I command you.”
To Oguri they bore the still trembling man. The lieutenant ordered him placed in a norimon, where his sacred person might be shielded from the scrutiny of his men.
“Is it indeed he?” Oguri questioned Toro.
“No doubt of it,” returned Toro. “He himself admitted it.”
Oguri and Toro now consulted together as to their next course. Mori was still insensible, despite their efforts to arouse him. In the reduced condition of their force, Oguri did not deem it wise to remain longer, lest returning bakufu hosts should spoil all. He could not spare the men to carry an additional norimon. He spoke thoughtfully:
“His highness, our beloved Prince of Mori, is of royal lineage and blood himself, as thou knowest, my Lord of Catzu. It will, therefore, be meet that we place him within the same norimon with the Son of Heaven.”