KANAGAWA Friday, 2nd January

KANAGAWA Friday, 2nd January: As Yoshi rode up to the Kanagawa Legation gateway leading the small procession, Settry Pallidar, officer commanding the honor guard, bellowed, "Present aaarrmms!" and saluted with his sword. The soldiers brought their rifles off their shoulders presented arms and stayed motionless: thirty Guardsmen, thirty kilted Highlanders, his mounted troop of Dragoons, equally smart.

Yoshi returned the salute with his riding crop and hid his anxiety seeing so many enemy soldiers with so many spotless rifles. Never in his life had he been so unprotected. Only Abeh and two guards, also mounted, in attendance. Following were a groom on foot and a dozen sweating, nervous porters carrying heavy bundles on poles swung between them. His other guards were waiting at the barricade.

He was dressed all in black: bamboo armor, light helmet, wide-shouldered tunic, two swords--even his stallion pony was jet.

But the tasseled trappings and reins and blanket were deliberately scarlet, enhancing the black.

As he passed Pallidar, turning through the gates, he noticed the cold blue eyes reminding him of dead fish.

On the steps above the beaten earth courtyard he saw Sir William, flanked by Seratard and Andr`e Poncin on one side, the Admiral, Dr. Babcott and Tyrer on the other--just as he had asked. All were dressed in their best, with top hats and warm wool coats against the damp morning, the sky overcast. His gaze flicked over them, paused a moment on Babcott, staggered by his great height, then he reined in and saluted with his crop. They bowed as casually, the Admiral saluted.

At once Sir William, with Tyrer close behind, came down to greet him, smiling-- both covering their surprise at the smallness of his guard. The groom rushed to hold the head of his pony. Yoshi dismounted on the right side as was customary in China and therefore here.

"Welcome, Lord Yoshi, on behalf of Her Britannic Majesty," Sir William said.

Tyrer translated at once, carefully.

"Thank you. I hope I am not putting you to any trouble," Yoshi said, beginning his share of the ritual.

"No, Sire, our honor. You give us rare, great pleasure." Yoshi noted an improvement in Tyrer's accent and vocabulary and was even more determined to neutralize the traitor Hiraga whom, Inejin had found out, went under the pseudonym of Nakama. "Please, Lord Yoshi will you take tea?"

Both men had already closed their ears to the meaningless phrases, concentrating on the other man, seeking clues that might help them. "Ah, Serata-dono," Yoshi said pleasantly, though he was irritated to be standing, having to look up at them, their height--usually more than a head taller--making him feel inferior, though amongst Japanese, he would look down on most.

"I'm please to see you again so soon. Thank you." He nodded to Andr`e, then Seratard who bowed formally, Andr`e interpreting.

"My Master Seratar' greet you, Sire, on behalf of his friend, Emperor of Furansu, High King Napoleon III. Honored to be of service."

The moment Yoshi had left Tairo Anjo, he had sent Misamoto with a letter to Seratard asking him if he would arrange an urgent, formal though very private meeting with Seratard, Sir William, the Chief Officer of the Fleet, the doctor of Kanagawa, and interpreters Andr`e and Tyrer only--no one else. He would arrive informally, with minimal escort, and asked that ceremony be minimal.

"What do you make of it, Henri?"' Sir William had asked when Seratard had hurried to see him the moment Andr`e had translated the letter.

"I don't know. He's an impressive man. He was aboard over four hours so we had the opportunity of studying him carefully--perhaps you'd like a copy of my report."

"Thank you," Sir William said knowing it would be revamped with all interesting information excised --no more than he would do. He had a slight cold and sneezed. "Excuse me."

"As Guardian of the Heir, one of the Elders, of an ancient Japanese royal family--even connected to the Mikado, the Emperor, whose function you may not know is religious--this man is extremely well connected and important in the Shogunate. Why don't we see him?"' "I will," Sir William had said dryly, well ahead of Seratard's information having spent many hours grilling Nakama for details of important rulers and their families, Toranaga Yoshi particularly. "We'll do as he asks. Interesting that he wants Ketterer there, eh? That's smelly. We'll go by boat and take some crack troops, dress them up as an honor guard and have H.m.s. Pearl cruising offshore."

"Mon Dieu, you suspect a trap?"' "It might be a cunning way to risk a knight to sweep our command structure off the board. Easy to sneak in samurai--Pallidar says they're holed down both sides of the Tokaido from here to Hodoyama and beyond. I don't smell a trap but just in case we'll put a round in the chamber. No French troops, old man. Sorry, no. No, Henri! But why should he want Babcott?"' "On behalf of France I proposed we set up a hospital for them, to cement ties.

He was delighted... never mind, William, you can't think of everything. We discussed Babcott who has a modest reputation. Perhaps Yoshi wants to consult him." Seratard had seen no reason to divulge the intelligence Andr`e had uncovered about the tairo's ill health.

Japanese tea was served in the big audience room. They seated themselves as protocol dictated and prepared for the interminable politenesses that would go on for an hour. One sip of tea and they were flabbergasted to hear Yoshi say, "The reason I called this private meeting, with the help of Serata-dono... naturally on behalf of the tairo and Council of Elders... is because it is time to make progress in our good relations."

He stopped and said curtly to Tyrer, "Please translate that first and then I will continue."

Tyrer obeyed.

"First, the Doctor-sama, the rest of our meeting does not concern him." Yoshi had intentionally waited the three days to seek the doctor. No need to hurry, he had thought cynically: Anjo said he did not need me to arrange it, let him ache!

Abruptly a crick soared from his own stomach at the thought of the unnecessary risks he had taken, putting himself at the mercy of Anjo, who every day became more dangerous. Stupid to agree to lead the attack and plan it--that part done, too easy--for he would have to do it unless he could finesse the barbarians into doing his will today: "Would the doctor please return to Yedo with me to examine an important patient who may not be named. I guarantee him safe passage."

Sir William said, "An important person such as Doctor-sama could surely not go about without an escort."

"I understand that, but in this instance, so sorry, it is not possible," Yoshi said, and now, sitting as he was on eye level with them all, except Babcott, he was more at ease. "I guarantee him safe passage."

Sir William pretended a frown.

"George? What about it?"

They had already discussed this possibility.

"I'd agree to go alone, Sir William.

One of my assistants told me the tairo is rumored to be sick. It could be him."

"My God, if you could cure that bugger--or poison him--I don't know which is best. Joking of course."

"It's no risk, not to me. I'm only valuable alive and no use as a hostage.

To cure a V.i.p. would be terrific for us."

"I agree. We'll play it by nose.

Talking of that, I heard Angelique consulted you yesterday."

"Ha! The whole Settlement seems to have heard, you're the eighth who has sidled into that one!

She had a cold, in this weather everyone has a cold, you have a cold, and even if she had consulted me for any other reason, it is and always would be private, so give over."

Sir William smiled to himself remembering how he had sniffed and protested he was not enquiring about private matters, like her possible pregnancy.