Ori's face fleetingly came from his memory and the time they were below, when he was ready to kill him and Ori had thrown, pretended to throw, the golden cross into the depths. Ori was baka to waste his life over that woman. We could use him tomorrow.
He shoved Ori out of his mind.
Now his whole being was committed to the attack.
All reasoning against it had vanished. There was a consensus, Akimoto gleefully in favor, Takeda, and the Sensei. Therefore he was also. The boat was ready. Now he would collect Akimoto and they would go back and finalize the plan. In reality he was glad. He would die in a blaze of glory doing the Emperor's wishes.
What more could a samurai desire from life?
With the suddenness of an ice bath he was shocked from euphoria and disappeared into a doorway. Three Redcoats stood outside the shoya's house, two more were emerging from the nearby hovel he and Akimoto rented. Akimoto was between them, calling out at the top of his voice one of the few English phrases he had learned: "So sorry, no 'unnerstan Nakama!"
"Not-a-knowledge-a-more-a," the Sergeant said slowly and loudly. "Where is he?" Then louder, "Where Nakama?"
"Nakama?" Akimoto's voice itself was loud, clearly trying to warn him if he happened to be within hearing. "Nakama no 'unnerstan so sorry," then in Japanese, "Someone's betrayed someone," then in guttural English again, "Nakama no unner--"
"Shut up!" the Sergeant said angrily, "Corporal, this fool knows nothing. Butcher, you and Swallow stay here until Mister bloody Nakama comes back and ask him--ask him nice like to come along wiv you to see Sir Will'm but make sure you bring the bugger. You," he stabbed a rough, iron-hard finger in Akimoto's chest, "you come along wiv me in case the Guv wants you."
Loudly protesting in Japanese he went with them, then in English, "Nakama, no 'unnerstan," over and over.
When Hiraga had recovered, and it was safe he slipped out of the doorway, jumped a fence and hurried back to No Man's Land. There he ducked down into the doorway, not safe yet to run for the well, too much light, the three scavengers too near, too malevolent. Must keep it secret.
Who has betrayed us?
No time to think about that now. He went deeper into the shadows as one of the scavengers moved nearer, muttering and cursing at the smallness of the pickings, a grubby sack in one hand. All three were skeletal and filthy. One came close to the opening but passed without noticing him. In half an hour light would be gone, nothing to do but to wait.
Suddenly the doorway was blocked.
"Thort I didn't see you eh? Wot'cher doin?" the scavenger rasped, heavy with menace.
Slowly Hiraga straightened. His hand was on the small pistol in his pocket. Then he saw the knife appear in the clawlike fist and the man thrust forward viciously. But Hiraga was faster and caught the hand and chopped at the scavenger's throat. He squealed like a gutted pig and went down. At once the other two looked up and hurried to investigate.
They skidded to a stop. Now Hiraga was in the doorway, the gun in one hand, knife in the other and he stood over the man who writhed, choking in the dirt. Knives came out and the two men attacked. Hiraga did not hesitate and lunged at one man who darted away, leaving him the opening he needed. He was through the slot quickly, running for Drunk Town, not wanting to waste time fighting. In moments he had reached a side street but in his haste his hat had fallen off.
He looked back and saw one of the scavengers had grabbed it up with a shout. In seconds the other had a hand on it too and they began a cursing fight for possession.
Chest heaving, Hiraga left them to it.
Another look at the sky. Be patient. When they've gone you can go to the well. You must not reveal it, it's essential for the attack. Be patient.
Buy a hat or a cap. What's gone wrong?
"Well, where the devil has he gone?"
"Can't be far, Sir William," Pallidar said. "I've men at both gates and on the bridge into the Yoshiwara. He's probably in one of the Inns. A matter of time before he appears. You want him in irons?"
"No, just here, unarmed, under guard."
"What about this fellow?"
Akimoto was sitting, his back to the wall, a soldier nearby. He had already been searched.
"I'll decide that when I've talked to him.
Ah, Andr`e, come in. Settry, no need for you to wait. I'm dining with the Russian Minister, when you've got Nakama come and fetch me."
Pallidar saluted and went out. "Andr`e, sorry to bother you but we can't find Nakama. As Phillip's not here could you interpret for me, ask this fellow where he is?"
He watched while Andr`e began questioning Akimoto, trying to contain his irritation and wishing Phillip Tyrer was here and not with Babcott.
Hope that goes well. Damn it, if Nakama's not caught Yoshi will be irritable indeed, rightly so.
"He says he doesn't know," Andr`e said.
He had not taken off his topcoat. Sir William's office was always freezing even on the coldest day, his coal fire mean. "He seems dim-witted, mumbles Nakama who, Nakama could be anywhere, the Yoshiwara, perhaps Kanagawa."
"Eh?" Sir William was shocked. "He's not supposed to leave the Settlement without my express approval. Ask him... ask him when did Nakama leave?"
"He says he doesn't know, doesn't know Nakama, if he's left or where he is, doesn't know anything."
"Perhaps a night in the brig will refresh his memory. Corporal!" The door opened at once. "Put this man in the brig overnight, or until I give orders to the contrary. He is to be well treated, understand?"
"Yessir."
"He is to be well treated."
"Yessir." The Corporal jerked a thumb at Akimoto who backed out of the room bowing. The brig, used for rowdies, and servicemen subject to military discipline, was down the street, a low brick building with a dozen cells, flogging triangle. After the Club, it had been the second structure built, a normal British custom for most Settlements.
"Merci, Andr`e."
"De rien."
"Have you any idea where he could be?"
"No, Monsieur, other than what the man said. See you at dinner." Andr`e smiled and left and began walking down the High Street, the wind whipping the leaves and papers and debris. Not much light was left in the sky.
Glad we're not responsible for finding him, he thought. Where would he have gone? If he has any sense to Kyoto or Nagasaki, or stowed away on yesterday's merchantman to Shanghai if he knows Yoshi wants him. Surely he must have known--no secrets in the Bakufu, or here. Great meeting, good for us too for we have the edge with Yoshi but damn Phillip, he's getting too good. Surely the patient will be Anjo. He spat irritably. I should have had the chance--after all it was my idea, Raiko and Meikin must have planted the thought somehow. Mon Dieu, they've more power than I imagined.
An icy current went through him. Raiko had asked him to see her urgently tonight. What now?
Had to be trouble.
"Evening, sir," the Struan guard on the front door said.
"I've an appointment with Madame Struan."
"Yes sir. She's expecting you, in the tai-pan's office along the corridor.