atch in solemn unison. The rain splashed and pattered on the _amado_. A
rustling, swishing sound was heard, close by, in the next room. Now it
was as if a hand was passing along the screen. He sprang up, drawn sword
in hand. His eyes were riveted on the _sho[u]ji_, anticipating an
appearance. Then he laid a violent hand on the interposing obstacle and
threw it back. A tall figure robed in black, with broad flat face and
bulging brow, puffed eyelids in which were sunken little dots in place
of eyes, hair in wild disorder framing the dead white face, stood before
him. "O'Iwa! O'Iwa!" The lamp was knocked over, but not before he dealt
the one fierce upward blow. Madly he sprang on the apparition and
slashed away in the dark. "Kiya!" The cry rang loud. Kondo[u] danced
with joy, calling loudly for lights. "O'Iwa! O'Iwa! Kondo[u] has slain
the O'Bake, the enemy of his child! Rejoice with Kondo[u]! The vendetta
is accomplished!" In the darkness and confusion a groan was heard; then
another, still fainter; then there was silence. Tomobei appeared with a
light. He leaned over the long black robed body; to raise an alarmed
face to his joyful master. "At what does the Danna Sama rejoice? What
has he done? 'Tis Myo[u]zen Sama, the Osho[u] Sama, who lies cut down.
Dreadful has been the mistake of the Danna Sama. This is like to cost
the House dear."--"Namu Myo[u]ho[u] Renge Kyo[u]! Namu Myo[u]ho[u] Renge
Kyo[u]!" The sword had slipped from Kondo[u]'s hand, and in genuine
grief he knelt beside the body of the unfortunate priest, seeking for
some sign of life. Alas! Myo[u]zen had almost been cut in two by the
upward sweep of the sword. From liver to pap was one gaping wound. He
lay in the pool of almost all the blood in his body. Gathered around the
corpse the four people eyed each other with terror.

Don--don--don, don, don, don. They sprang up in a huddled mass. The
sound was at their very shoulders. "Some one knocks at the back door,"
said Tomobei. "Go open it," commanded Kondo[u]. Tomobei flatly refused,
and without respect, nay with insolence. Kondo[u] picked up and weighed
in his hand the bloody sword. Why mingle vile blood with good? Instead
of cutting the man down he went himself and opened the half door at the
top. A woman, dripping with water, her hair in wild disorder, her face
white as chalk, stood outside in the storm. Kondo[u] gave an exclamation
of surprise--"O'Kame of Tamiya! How comes O'Kame here? It was said that
Yoem