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understand Kataoka's polite question. As to what had happened to Lord Asano he had no clear idea himself except that he had been taken away by Lord Tamura. Then he realized that Kataoka knew nothing of the attack on Kira, and tried to think of some diplomatic way of-telling him and in effect breaking the news to all of Lord Asano's followers and family.
    "Your master is at Lord Tamura's. I suggest you go there immediately."
    "Is something wrong?" asked Kataoka in sudden alarm.
    "There was an accident . . . Lord Kira and your master were involved ..."
    There was a short silence while Kataoka digested what he had been told. When he understood all the impHcations he felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and his mouth grew dry.
    "Then there is no need for the palanquin to wait?" he stammered.
    Lord Date shook his head, then paused for a moment to see that Kataoka was capable of taking some positive action before he moved on. After all, it was the least he could do for a fellow daimyo.
    With a quick bow of thanks Kataoka moved away. He did not dare to break the prohibition against running within the castle grounds but he reached Lord Asano's palanquin within the least possible time. Although his brain was whirling he composed a brief message for the bearers to take back to Hara. The men were from Ako and could be trusted, but still they were of lowly rank and did not have to know all
    •42 •

    Chapter Two
    the facts. He told their leader only that Lord Asano had decided to visit Lord Tamura and had gone to his mansion by other means. They were to return to their own quarters and give Hara the message that he was to join Kataoka at Tamura's immediately. Then he walked briskly beside them out of the castle grounds, back over the bridge across the moat and into the city streets. Now he could set his own pace and he ran as though devils were pursuing him in spite of the crush of the crowd. How could such a thing happen, his mind kept screaming, how could such a thing happen to his beloved master? . . .
    At Tamura's mansion, Lord Asano was treated with politeness and even allowed to borrow a simple robe from his captor to replace his ludicrously out-of-place ceremonial trousers and kamishimo. Those present did not attempt to talk to him, being understandably unsure of his status, and he was put in a small, white-walled anteroom and allowed paper and brush to write a note to his wife. With an effort he managed to collect his thoughts and had begun a brief account of what had happened, stressing the inevitability of his showdown with Kira, when he was interrupted by the sounds of the arrival of one of the censors of Edo and two assistants. As official instruments of the Shogun's Council they had brought its sentence and Lord Asano heard them whisper it to Lord Tamura in the next room. He knew by Lord Tamura's shocked reaction that the sentence was a harsh one and that could mean only one thing-death! The rest of their whispers meant little to him: "... councilors opposed . . . Tsunayoshi adamant ... his own chief councilor was struck down in similar fashion some years ago ... an example must be made ..."

    Lord Tamura then came respectfully into the room and bowed low. "Our merciful Shogun has decreed that your execution should be swift and you should therefore be grateful to him. You have also been granted the privilege of dying in an honorable manner because of your rank," he said. Lord Asano remained silent and Tamura regarded his stoical acceptance of the verdict with approval. Then he added the final part of the sentence: "All property held in your name will be confiscated and placed under the protection of the Shogun's government until further notice."
    In his mind Lord Asano heard the howling of the dogs again and felt the helpless sinking he had known in his dream, but he only stared at the blank white wall in front of him until Lord Tamura bowed and withdrew. After a moment Lord Asano bent forward to continue his