“First let my defamer give proof of the charge against me,” I retorted.
“You do not deny having taken the ronin into your service,” said the Shogun.
“In the midst of my trial before the High Court, Your Highness, the Daimio of Satsuma interposed to save Yuki from further torture, and honored him with a priceless gift. Does Midzuano charge the Daimio with affronting Your Highness?”
“The Lord of Satsuma did not take the ronin into his service.”
“For the reason, Your Highness, that I spoke first. Ask the Daimio if he does not regret his delay. Yet any thought of aspersion upon the justice of Your Highness was as far from my mind as from the Daimio’s. And in justice to a most loyal subject, I must declare that among all the hatamotos there is none truer than Yuki. In the hour of humiliation the brave man bowed to the justice of his lord without a murmur. So devoted was his loyalty that he endured torture rather than testify against those who had saved the daughter of Your Highness from ronin capture.”
The Shogun bent towards me with sudden deepening of his frown. “Insolent barbarian! do you dare speak of your artifice?”
“My artifice, Your Highness?”
“Can you deny that the attack of the ronins was a prearranged plot by which you and Yoritomo profited?” demanded Midzuano.
The subtle intriguer was actually charging us with the villainy of his own party. The sudden springing of the snare caused me to hesitate.
“Answer!” cried the Shogun. “You and your accomplices knew beforehand of the plot.”