Trying to contain the shaking that mixed nauseatingly with his distress, Tyrer related about Yoshi and Abeh and the murder of Utani and how they all thought Hiraga had fled elsewhere. "We've got to turn you over to Yoshi, to guards at the gate-- Captain Abeh went back to Yedo, Nakama, and... what should I call you, Nakama or Hiraga?"

"As you wishes, Taira-sama."

"Hiraga then, that's your real name isn't it?"

"I am caw'red that. But Japanese have many names, one at birth, another when age seven, another at manhood, and take another if want. I am Nakama, or Hiraga, your friend."

"Friend?" Tyrer said bitterly, forgetting his fear. "Why didn't you tell me you were an assassin. You killed Utani, you killed him, didn't you?"

"Yes, he a target, very bad man. Yoshi another. This not Ing'rand, Taira-sama, not Ing'rand. These bad men, the Bakufu, they thief power from the Emperor, they tyrants."

Solemnly, Hiraga explained as best he could about the shishi and their struggle to eliminate the despotic government--his sincerity obvious-- explaining the greed of Utani and his rapacious taxes, how the Toranaga clans and daimyos possessed all the wealth of the land, the Toranagas most of all, about the corrupt Bakufu, and that the people were starved and powerless. "We want give Nippon back to Emperor, make govern fair for a'wre people."

By "all people" Hiraga meant all samurai though Tyrer took it to mean all Japanese. And as he questioned Hiraga, fascinated with this unique window into the inner workings of Nippon--and Japanese mentality--he was more and more convinced there was merit on Hiraga's side.

He had only to consider English history and the people's struggle to cast off the "divine right of Kings" and the rule of tyrants, to become more and more sympathetic. Not hard to recall the huge cost in lives to create Parliament and the rule of the people for the people: a king's head, others humbled, revolution, riots, deaths before the British Raj and Pax Britannica had blossomed.

Remembering also the debt he owed this man, he said gloomily, "Even so, I don't see any hope for you. The moment you're seen you'll be captured, by your people or mine. There's nothing I can do to prevent that."

Hiraga took a deep breath and launched himself into the void: "One thing, yes, you can do to he'rp me. He'rp me on to ship, ship for Ing'rand."

Tyrer gaped at him. "Eh? You're mad!"

"P'rease, keep soft, many enemy here,"

Hiraga said quietly, passionately excited with this stunning, radical idea that had swooped out of the air at him, as if down from the Sun Goddess herself. "P'rease 'risten. Many times you say me 'rearn about gai-jin, your country best, neh? I go there with my cousin. We 'rearn best way to make govern, your Par'iment.

We 'rearn your way. Yoshi right about navy and army, but I think more best to 'rearn banking and business and trading. We need knowing best way, neh? Your way, Ing'rish way, neh?"

Eloquently Hiraga continued to spin his web, his anxiety lending him extra words and soft cadences. This was his final plan, his only possible escape from Yoshi's trap. He was certain that a year or two spent with gai-jin, with the right introductions and help would be of enormous value to sonno-joi.

It is the perfect answer to inevitable death if I stay, he had reasoned exuberantly. In a year or two we will return, perfect Ing'rish speakers, bursting with their secrets about produk'shun and stoku markit, rifles, cannon, tactics, strategy, the methods they used to conqueror the outside world, even to humble China!

This is the Land of the Gods! China should be ours, not the gai-jin's. Before I leave I'll tell our Choshu shishi leaders of my plan, and somehow keep in touch through letters. "It's simp're, Taira-sama. You speak to Captain, we sneak aboard no prob'rem. No one need know."

"Sir William would never agree."

"Perhaps no need speak him." Hiraga leaned closer, giving him the option, unsure of himself.

"Or if speak, I speak too, think he agree, neh? Very important for Ing'rish have Japan friend. I good friend. Jami-sama, he he'rp too if ask."

"Who?"

"Jami, big beard man, bigger as you.

Jami."

"Jamie? Jamie McFay?"

"Yes, Jami Mukfey."

Now that the idea had sunk into him, Tyrer's mind began working better. There were tremendous long-term possibilities in doing what Hiraga suggested. It had ever been British policy to educate--re-educate--selected foreign students, the more important or princely the better. Many were radicals, or revolutionaries in their own country, India notably. Hiraga was very intelligent and if an enemy of Yoshi, important. Judge a man by his enemies, his father had said.

And while he chewed over Hiraga's suggestion he also wondered how his father and mother were, and his friends, sad that he could not see them or be in London soon--no home leave for two years. At the same time he was proud to be part of the Diplomatic Service and a cog, albeit very small, in the vastness of British Empire building.

Hiraga's idea is good. It would work. But how to get him out and how to get Sir William to assist--Willie's the key.

The more he thought about it, the more his hopes sank, the more he had to admit he was stupid to even consider it, becoming more and more certain that Sir William would not, could not countenance such a ploy--not with this man, an admitted killer, not Hiraga who was a pawn in the far greater contest for Yoshi. There was no quid pro quo for Sir William--no compensation, no reason to risk Yoshi's enmity, the power of the future, whatever Hiraga claimed.

"I'll try," he said, purporting to be confident, not forgetting he was still Hiraga's prisoner, the sword too near. "Can't guarantee anything but I'll try. Where will you be?"

Hiraga was satisfied, his gamble immense though with room left to maneuver. He had convinced Taira, now again on his side. The gai-jin leader would be an ally. "You keep sekret?"

"Of course."

"Send word to Raiko. I can meet in vi'rage or here. You say where, Taira-sama.

Think sooner is better, for ship, neh?"

"Yes. I'll send you a message tomorrow, or come myself." Cautiously Tyrer began to stand.

Hiraga beamed. "You go Fujiko?"

Gloom descended instantly. "There's no Fujiko anymore."

"What? What you mean p'rease?"

Tyrer told him and he saw Hiraga's face flush.

"But you have promise, Taira-sama. Me, I t'awk, arrange with Raiko, neh?"

"Yes, but now the contract's off. Raiko says..." Tyrer stopped, frightened by the look on Hiraga's face.

"Wait, p'rease!" Hiraga stormed out.

Tyrer peered out of a side window. No one in sight, only waving branches and the smell of sea salt in the air--run while you've the chance, he told himself but then, suddenly, desperately, he wanted to urinate. He used the bucket in the bathroom and felt better. Now he was hungry. And thirsty. He looked around.

No teapot, no water jug. His hunger and thirst were grinding--like Hiraga's idea was grinding. No way to satisfy either. Without Sir William's benevolence Hiraga would be a child in the wilderness. Even Jamie couldn't help much, now that he was out of Struan's. Why should he or anyone help? There was no quid pro quo. Again he peered out of the little window.

Get out while you can, he thought and went for the door. Then he heard footsteps. He rushed back to his cushion. The shoji was flung open.

Raiko was shoved on her knees in front of him, Hiraga towering menacingly in the doorway.

"Oh so sorry, Taira-sama," Raiko said, stumbling over the words in abject haste to apologize and placate him, "oh so sorry, I made a terrible mistake...."

Her words were a fountain. Tyrer understood little of them though he got their message clearly.

"Enough," he said firmly. "Bring contract now.