I stared in bewilderment. “Now? But Satsuma is your friend. He will stand between—”
“He cannot save us. Even he dare not venture to oppose the Shogunate in such a matter.”
“But—”
“Our only chance for life is that the Shogun will take action. The sentence of the court must be confirmed by the seal of the Council of Elders.”
“Midzuano has that ready, up his sleeve,” I interrupted, with forced flippancy. “So we are to forestall him by the personal application of ball and blade?”
“Not now, brother,—not until the last extremity. The Shogun may interpose even after we have been led out to the execution ground.”
“But they will search and bind us—we will be unable to avoid the torture and shame!” I exclaimed.
“I must risk all, for the chance of sealing my memorial with my blood. For you there is the hope of dying in company with your Princess.”
“Of living and wedding her!” I cried. “Yet the risk of waiting till the last!—They will surely search and bind us!”
“Wait,” he replied, and he sat for some moments in profound thought. At the end he clapped his hands, and called to the attendant who appeared: “The presence of Yuki the ronin is desired.”