concerned he might as well have thrust it into the straw matting
(_tatami_) at his feet. Isuke withdrew the needle and carefully pressed
the arm. A brownish liquor oozed out; not blood. "The Danna has a
nose--as yet." Kwaiba hastily applied his arm to that member. He turned
his face to one side in disgust and horror--"Is this Kwaiba already dead
and rotten? In such condition all is lost. Duty no longer can be
performed. Service and income cease together. Isuke, there remains
naught but to get out the mats. Kwaiba will cut belly."

Isuke examined him carefully and quizzically. Satisfied with his
inspection, he said--"Deign to have confidence in Isuke. In former days
he was not Isuke the _chu[u]gen_. Son of a doctor of the Dutch practice
at Nagasaki; gambling, wine, women have reduced Isuke to the state of a
servant. Family and friends long since have discarded and cast him out.
The severance of relations between parent and child was formal. Isuke
owes naught of service or duty to any but his master Kwaiba. Here is his
refuge. Deign to give Isuke three silver _ryo[u]_. The disease is
curable. Trust the matter to Isuke. _Soppin_ (mercury) duly applied will
remove the poison, and with it all the disastrous symptoms. The two
hundred and thirty _tawara_ of income are enjoyed by the Wakadono.
Service can be performed; and Isuke preserves such a good master."
Flattered and frightened Kwaiba at once handed over the money. Isuke
disappeared to secure the drug necessary to the "Dutch practice." Baths
and potions, potions and baths, followed in due course. The promises of
Isuke were fulfilled. The fearful symptoms gradually were alleviated. In
the course of six months Kwaiba was himself again; his position was
assured to him. He heaved double sighs--of relief from the nightmare
which had pursued him; of anxiety at the nightmare substituted for it.

Kwaiba was a rake and a gambler. So was Isuke. The two hundred and
thirty _tawara_ of income was saved to Kwaiba--and Isuke. Not long after
the cure was thus assured Isuke disappeared. Kwaiba sighed gently, with
relief at the departure of one who knew too much of his affairs, and
with a scared feeling on losing the only "doctor" in whom he had
confidence. "These fellows come and go, like leaves on a tree. Isuke has
grown tired, and deserted. Some day he may return. This Kwaiba is a good
master." Isuke did return--in the form of a note from the Yoshiwara.
Twenty _ryo[u]_ were needed to p