"Here. To your friend. Where's your friend?"

"Ah so sorry, I doubt he would be there," she said with perfect sincerity and shook her head emphatically. "Probably he was warned and he has run off to Kanagawa or some such place, and so sorry, old friend, but that is not a good question to ask. Your information is very interesting. Is there more?"

Andr`e sighed. He knew she knew. Now she was at his mercy. For a time. "Yoshi samurai come tomorrow for your Hiraga," he said, no longer afraid because one word from him and patrols, Japanese or British, would tear the House of the Three Carp to pieces--after Hinodeh was taken to safety. "If gai-jin not have Hiraga tomorrow, much trouble, Raiko. For gai-jin, Yoshiwara, all." The way he said it sent a tremor through her. "Perhaps gai-jin put Enforcers here, there, all places." He let that hover in the air.

"So?" she asked, a bead of sweat forming on her upper lip, frightened of what was coming, all else forgotten.

"Have idea: if you... so sorry," he said sweetly, "if your friend hide Hiraga few day, secret, safe place.

Then, at right time give gai-jin leader Hiraga ... perhaps get much money, enough you, and Hinodeh, neh?" He was watching her and she tried not to flinch. "Or your people give Hiraga to Yoshi.

Hiraga is shishi--valuable--better than earrings," he said again and saw a shudder take her.

"Shishi valuable, neh?"

When her heart had stopped thundering enough and she could trust her voice, she mustered the best smile she could, for clearly he believed she knew Hiraga was here, and therefore he could, if provoked, put her and the Three Carp in lethal jeopardy. "I will ask my friend if she has seen him, or knows where he is, then we can talk, quickly," she said, voice conciliatory, deciding that it was better to hurry all shishi out of her life as soon as possible. Preferably tonight. "What wonderful information you have discovered, how valuable, how clever to know so much, it will bring some profit no doubt!

Ah Furansu-san," she said as if a sudden thought to further distract him, "we hear that a gai-jin lady has arrived from Hong Kong tonight.

She is the famous mother of the tai-pan?"

"Eh? No." Andr`e said, absently, "No, she, she promise in marriage to trader. Why?"

"Would he be one of my clients, old friend?"

"No, think Inn of Succulent Joy for year, perhaps more, Jamie McFay."

"Jami-san? Jami-san of Stru'n?"

Eeee, she thought like quicksilver, Nemi will need to know quickly. She must prepare to present herself to this lady in the Struan big house, to bow before her and welcome her, and assure her in sharing his bed she had been looking after Jami-san expertly--very important to have good relations between nee-go-san --second lady, a consort--and oku-san, wife--because the wife pays all bills, and then to invite her to a return visit to the Jami house in the gardens of the Succulent Joy.

Eeee, that would be grand, then we could all get a good look at her. "Furansu-sama, there is a rumor the gai-jin put a Japanese in prison tonight."

"What? Don't know about that. Maybe find out later. Not important. Listen, about Hinodeh."

She interrupted brightly, "Hinodeh was asking me earlier if you were honoring her tonight. She will be so pleased you are here--she honors you greatly."

Andr`e's chest felt tight. Now that he had Raiko in his grip he would ask her, no, tell her to make Hinodeh forgo the condition of the light.

Suddenly he was afraid to do so.

"Yes?"

"Nothing," he muttered. "I go Hinodeh."

After he left she drank some brandy to steady her nerves, chewed some fragrant tea leaves to take away the smell then, worriedly, went to the three shishi and told them part of Andr`e's information about Yoshi demanding Hiraga, and that his men would arrive tomorrow to take possession. "So sorry, it would be best, if you left tonight, much safer for you," she said, her voice heavy with dread.

"Katsumata-sama, this client swore Enforcers and gai-jin soldiers were due any moment, coming to search everywhere."

The three men were silent, hearing of Yoshi's secret dealings with the gai-jin, Katsumata was more determined than ever to create trouble between them.

"Thank you, you have been of great service, Raiko-san. We may leave, we may need to stay, either way you will be well rewarded."

"I really believe it would be better to leave an--"

Katsumata's voice rasped, "Either way you will be well rewarded. Meanwhile we will discuss how best to protect you."

She did not want to go but she bowed, thanked him and went out into the night, and when safely away cursed him and them and Andr`e, at the same time deciding who would be the trustworthy messenger to speed Andr`e's intelligence to Meikin.

"Light the lamps," Katsumata said. All had guttered and most extinguished as she had opened and closed the door and the wind had invaded the room.

With the door closed again the few remaining flames settled but for an isolated draft. "Listen," he said, so that no one outside could hear: "Hiraga, I will get more men and return in three days. Hide here, safer than coming with me, use a new disguise and hide in the tunnel.

If you are clever you will be safe."

"Yes, Sensei."

"In three days we gut Yokohama, kill the ship, kill as many gai-jin as possible, and escape. I will bring Bakufu uniforms.

Takeda, help Hiraga with the incendiaries. They must be ready by the time I get back."

Takeda said, "Better if I come with you, Sensei. I can protect your back in case you are seen or intercepted."

"No. Stay with Hiraga." Katsumata did not want to be encumbered, exceedingly uncomfortable inside the Yoshiwara fence. "I'll leave the moment the barricades are open."

"It is the best plan. Sonno-joi,"

Hiraga said.

He was feeling nauseated and light-headed at the same time, aghast at the thought of Yoshi's men arriving tomorrow, or Enforcers, and being caught-- inevitable now that Yoshi, personally, was after him-- knowing, too, the Sensei was right again: the walled Settlement and fenced Yoshiwara were traps.

At the same time he was marvelously relieved. Now that his end was inevitable there was no reason not to hurl himself whole-heartily into the attack.

Three days is a lifetime. With Katsumata gone, who knows what may happen? In any event I won't be taken alive.

"My God, Jamie, look there!" Dmitri said.

Jamie glanced at the doorway. So did the twenty other guests scattered around the reception room in the Russian Legation. Conversation died then picked up. Angelique was coming in on the arm of Sir William. A long-sleeved and simple black dress that showed off the paleness, yet glow of her skin and set off the column of her neck to perfection, the cut perfect, her tiny waist and swell of her breasts presented modestly, perfect for mourning, but no doubting their hidden magic. Hair swept up. No jewelry except a thin gold necklace and wedding ring--Malcolm's signet ring now cut to fit.

"She's twenty-four carat."

"Yes," Jamie said. Then, feeling a new stir, looked around. Across the room Maureen was smiling at him, surrounded by men, Pallidar amongst them. He smiled back, liking what he saw, still dumbfounded by her arrival, and courage making such a formidable journey alone. What the devil am I going to do?

"Incredible about Hong Kong and Malc's funeral, huh?"

"You're right, Dmitri. I'd have bet Tess would never do that." What's she up to, he asked himself again, and what was in her letter to Angelique, no chance to ask yet, no clue from her appearance. His own had been illuminating.

Dear Jamie, Mr. Gornt has told me in detail what a good friend you were to my son.

I thank you with all my heart. But I still cannot forgive you for not complying with my wishes--company policy--for not diverting my son back to his duty and persuade him to give up his attention to that woman or, at the very least, to put her in proportion and to return here; cannot forgive you aiding and abetting him in his foolishness, particularly as I pointed out at length his minority and that while tai-pan in name he did not exercise those powers until formally installed, and that, to my regret, I did, temporarily.