Yuki gazed at us for several moments without betraying a sign of recognition.
“The truth has been spoken,” he said, facing the judges. “When the cortege in my charge was attacked by the ronins, two swordsmen in monks’ robes slew many of the evil band and put the survivors to shameful flight. There is no more to be said by me.”
Instantly two of the torturers seized the heroic victim and began lashing him to the post. The sight was more than I could endure. I sprang forward, and cried out to the merciless judges: “Hold! Question me first! If your wish is to prove the second charge against me, I admit that I used a firearm—”
“The prisoner confesses to the second charge,” commented the eldest judge.
“In defence of your Shogun’s daughter,” I added. “Write that also.”
“Do not write,” commanded the judge.
“I call upon the Daimio of Satsuma to bear witness,” I cried. “The crime charged was committed in defence of the Shogun’s daughter against the attack of evil traitors, yet the Shogun’s magistrates refuse to make note of the truth.”
“Let the claim of the prisoner be noted,” ordered the judge.
I turned eagerly to the loyal martyr at the post. “Speak, Yuki!” I urged. “The truth is now known. Your testimony will work no further harm.”
“There is no more to be said by me,” he replied. “I saw no crime committed by the defenders of the Shogun’s daughter.”