Read Online The Way of the Traitor: A Samurai Mystery by Laura Joh Rowland - Free Book Online
Authors: Laura Joh Rowland
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he walked out the door, the two guards followed. oGovernors orders, the paunchy one said.
Hirata realized they meant to spy on him, the last thing he wanted. If Trade Director Spaen had thus far managed to evade capture, someone might be harboring him "perhaps a professional criminal. From his police experience, Hirata knew that the best way to find such a man was by unobtrusive means, which he couldn't use with two soldiers in tow.
Reversing his steps, Hirata said to the guards, oI've decided to stay home.
They eyed him skeptically, then stationed themselves beside the gate. Inside the house, Hirata reconsidered his clothes "silk surcoat and kimono printed with the Tokugawa crest, flowing silk trousers, and high clogs "the uniform of an Edo official, and not exactly one to inspire trust in the townspeople. Hurrying to the bedchamber, Hirata found two maids unpacking his baggage.
oGive me those, he said, grabbing a short cotton kimono, sash, leggings, old wicker hat, and straw sandals. Hastily he changed into the ensemble and rehung his swords at his waist. Feeling younger and freer, as if he'd stepped back in time to his police days, he ran out the back door to the stables for a horse. Then the back gate opened, and the paunchy guard appeared. Hirata dashed back into the house. Hearing voices in the corridor, he skidded to a stop.
oWhere is your master? the tall guard demanded.
oHe changed clothes, then left, a maid replied.
Running footsteps came from the direction of the back door. Hirata swerved down another corridor as the paunchy guard called, oI saw him, he went that way.
Hirata bolted through the bustling kitchen and into a courtyard, where he came upon two men. Their furtive manner alerted his police instincts. A familiar warning buzz went off in his head, arresting his flight.
oOne hundred zeni for a barrel of prawns, ten quail eggs, a jar of candied plums, and steamed rice buns? The speaker was a shabbily dressed peasant. oThat's robbery!
The other man, who wore a neat blue kimono, stood beside the basket of provisions. oBut these are the finest quality foods, bought especially for the shogun's envoys. About fifty years of age, he had a long face with protuberant eyes and pursed lips. Wispy gray hair straggled around his bald pate. oWhy should I sell them for less, when they'll fetch twice that from the customers at your food stall?
Forgetting his pursuers, Hirata seized the bald man's arm, demanding, oHow dare you steal from my master? You're under arrest!
The peasant scuttled over the wall, but the captive thief bowed and smiled. oAllow me to introduce myself, master, he said. oOld Carp, kitchen provisioner, at your service. Perhaps you're hungry? He plucked a round bamboo box from the basket and offered it to Hirata.
Hirata laughed in spite of himself. With his bulging eyes and puckered mouth, the man really did resemble a fish. And how quick he was to bribe his way out of trouble "with stolen goods, yet! Then Hirata saw the two guards in the kitchen, coming straight toward him. Releasing Old Carp, he said, oI'll punish you later, and turned to flee.
The wily servant acted quickly. oHave this, master, with my compliments, he said, thrusting the box into Hirata's hands. Then he picked up the basket, ran toward the kitchen door "and collided with the guards as they ran out.
The basket crashed to the ground, spilling its contents. Amid streaming water and broken eggs, live prawns squirmed. The guards cursed as their feet slipped in the mess.
oA thousand apologies, masters! Old Carp bleated.
oGet out of the way!
Old Carp motioned for Hirata to run. The paunchy guard skidded on the eggs and fell flat on his back. The tall man dodged Old Carp, only to trip and sprawl facedown beside his comrade.
Hirata raced across the courtyard to the wall. He would have discarded the box Old Carp had given him, but for the delicious smell emanating from it. Tossing the box over the wall, he
Hirata realized they meant to spy on him, the last thing he wanted. If Trade Director Spaen had thus far managed to evade capture, someone might be harboring him "perhaps a professional criminal. From his police experience, Hirata knew that the best way to find such a man was by unobtrusive means, which he couldn't use with two soldiers in tow.
Reversing his steps, Hirata said to the guards, oI've decided to stay home.
They eyed him skeptically, then stationed themselves beside the gate. Inside the house, Hirata reconsidered his clothes "silk surcoat and kimono printed with the Tokugawa crest, flowing silk trousers, and high clogs "the uniform of an Edo official, and not exactly one to inspire trust in the townspeople. Hurrying to the bedchamber, Hirata found two maids unpacking his baggage.
oGive me those, he said, grabbing a short cotton kimono, sash, leggings, old wicker hat, and straw sandals. Hastily he changed into the ensemble and rehung his swords at his waist. Feeling younger and freer, as if he'd stepped back in time to his police days, he ran out the back door to the stables for a horse. Then the back gate opened, and the paunchy guard appeared. Hirata dashed back into the house. Hearing voices in the corridor, he skidded to a stop.
oWhere is your master? the tall guard demanded.
oHe changed clothes, then left, a maid replied.
Running footsteps came from the direction of the back door. Hirata swerved down another corridor as the paunchy guard called, oI saw him, he went that way.
Hirata bolted through the bustling kitchen and into a courtyard, where he came upon two men. Their furtive manner alerted his police instincts. A familiar warning buzz went off in his head, arresting his flight.
oOne hundred zeni for a barrel of prawns, ten quail eggs, a jar of candied plums, and steamed rice buns? The speaker was a shabbily dressed peasant. oThat's robbery!
The other man, who wore a neat blue kimono, stood beside the basket of provisions. oBut these are the finest quality foods, bought especially for the shogun's envoys. About fifty years of age, he had a long face with protuberant eyes and pursed lips. Wispy gray hair straggled around his bald pate. oWhy should I sell them for less, when they'll fetch twice that from the customers at your food stall?
Forgetting his pursuers, Hirata seized the bald man's arm, demanding, oHow dare you steal from my master? You're under arrest!
The peasant scuttled over the wall, but the captive thief bowed and smiled. oAllow me to introduce myself, master, he said. oOld Carp, kitchen provisioner, at your service. Perhaps you're hungry? He plucked a round bamboo box from the basket and offered it to Hirata.
Hirata laughed in spite of himself. With his bulging eyes and puckered mouth, the man really did resemble a fish. And how quick he was to bribe his way out of trouble "with stolen goods, yet! Then Hirata saw the two guards in the kitchen, coming straight toward him. Releasing Old Carp, he said, oI'll punish you later, and turned to flee.
The wily servant acted quickly. oHave this, master, with my compliments, he said, thrusting the box into Hirata's hands. Then he picked up the basket, ran toward the kitchen door "and collided with the guards as they ran out.
The basket crashed to the ground, spilling its contents. Amid streaming water and broken eggs, live prawns squirmed. The guards cursed as their feet slipped in the mess.
oA thousand apologies, masters! Old Carp bleated.
oGet out of the way!
Old Carp motioned for Hirata to run. The paunchy guard skidded on the eggs and fell flat on his back. The tall man dodged Old Carp, only to trip and sprawl facedown beside his comrade.
Hirata raced across the courtyard to the wall. He would have discarded the box Old Carp had given him, but for the delicious smell emanating from it. Tossing the box over the wall, he
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