“You are a guest at Shiota, are you? That was what I thought. To tell you the truth I came here looking for help from the old gentleman of Shiota. I used to know him, located near him as I was, while he lived in Tokyo. He is a fine old man, knowing what is what. He lost his wife last year, and he now passes most of his time in toying with his curios and things. He is said to have great things, which would bring in a good little fortune if sold.”
“Has he not got a pretty daughter?”
“Look out, there!”
“What for?”
“Why? You may not know it, but she is a divorcee.”
“So, eh?”
“You don’t seem to make much of it, Danna; but it was an affair. It was not at all necessary that she should take a divorce.... The bank busted and she left her husband, because she could no longer go in for a high living. She may be all right, as long as the old man is there; but if anything should happen to him, she would be lost in the sea.”
“You think so?”
“Of course I do, and she and her elder brother, who is now the head of the family are no friends at all.”
“The head of the family?”