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time. They are, of course, theoretically against the rules, but performers and entertainers from the pleasure quarter are eager to learn Sato's technique and the special arrangements he is famous for, and he needs the money. His salary seems to run through his fingers like water and he is always in debt. You must make allowance for the artistic temperament."
    "His behavior certainly makes him a target for our blackmailer."
    Hirata stopped smiling. "He could never pay such a sum. At least, I would not think so. I hope it isn't Sato. He is a genius and has a large family to support."
    "That makes it worse. Anyway, so far he is the only one of your colleagues who is clearly involved in an illegality or immorality. There is another point which has occurred to me. What did your robe look like? Was there another one very similar to yours?"
    "Of course! I should have thought of that. It was green silk, with a small white pattern of cherry blossoms. But I don't believe anyone else could have had the same design."
    "In the dark a very small pattern might not have shown up. Did anyone else wear green?"
    "Tanabe, Fujiwara and Takahashi."
    Akitada looked startled. "So many?"
    "We are all the same rank. Green is our rank color."
    "But not Oe's?"
    "Oh no! The head of the Chinese literature department outranks us all by one degree. Oe always wears blue."
    "I see. And the others all hold lesser ranks?"
    "Yes. Well, it is shameful to admit it, but of my three colleagues in green, I should prefer it to be Takahashi. It would serve him right."
    They were interrupted by the clatter of many steps on the wooden stairs and boards of the veranda. Young voices were shouting and laughing.
    "Here come your pupils," remarked Hirata with a smile.
    "Mine?" Akitada felt a sudden panic. "I thought you were preparing for your own class."
    "Oh, no. But don't worry! They are only raw youngsters who need to learn the workings of our government, department by department, before they can study the laws which govern each and by which each governs. You used to know this so well you could have recited it in your sleep."
    The door burst open and groups of fresh-faced boys, ranging in age from twelve to eighteen, bowed their way in, found their seats, and knelt, ramrod straight in their neat dark cotton robes. To Akitada's surprise, the last person to enter was easily in his fifties. He too wore a student's robe, bowed, and found his seat. Akitada looked at Hirata.
    "That is Mr. Ushimatsu," Hirata whispered. "He has taken a long time to get admitted and will take even longer to pass the first of our examinations, but he tries so very hard that I have become quite fond of him. "Taking Akitada by the arm, Hirata stepped forward and bowed to the class. Akitada quickly followed suit, and the students solemnly bowed back.
    "This is your new instructor, Master Sugawara," Hirata announced. "He comes to us from the Ministry of Justice and has recently served as kageyushi . You may ask him anything." Having made this generous promise, Hirata bowed to Akitada and the class and left the room.
    Silence fell. Akitada sat down behind his desk and looked at his students, who stared back at him without blinking. They seemed ordinary enough youngsters— all but Mr. Ushimatsu, who was regarding him with open-mouthed expectancy. One boy, younger and frailer than the rest, sat apart a little. He was a handsome lad but had dark rings under his eyes and delicate features. He alone was completely detached, as if he cared nothing about the class or the new teacher. Akitada gave him an encouraging smile which was not returned. The boy merely looked away.
    "Excuse me, sir!" It was Mr. Ushimatsu who had spoken up. "What's a kageyushi do, sir?" he asked.
    One of the other boys snorted. "Stupid! A kageyushi's an investigator of outgoing officials."
    Far from being offended, Mr. Ushimatsu bowed to the boy and said humbly, "Thank you. It is kind of you to instruct me."
    Embarrassed Akitada told the