Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan, volume 2.pdf/163

Rh seemed horror-stickenstricken [sic], and at last said, ‘Whatever made me commit such a fault?’ He then knelt down and prayed for some time.”

“Didn’t he seem to be in a panic?”

“Yes, your honour, a little.”

“All right. If it is necessary I shall summon you again.”

The judge dismissed the assistant juggler, and asked for Fan to be brought before him. The latter was rather a clever-looking man, with a strong and well-shaped mouth. As soon as the judge’s eyes rested upon him, he saw that the man was suffering from nervous strain.

“We have questioned your manager and the assistant,” said the judge, “and will now question you.”

Fan nodded.

“Up to the present, have you never loved your wife?”

“I have loved my wife with all my heart from the day of our marriage until her death, sir.”

“How was it then that you both disagreed?”

“It was, sir, because I knew that her baby was not mine.”

“Do you know the man?”

“I can guess, sir. He is her cousin.”

“Are you acquainted with him?”

“Yes, sir. He is one of my bosom friends. It was he who first suggested our marriage. He persuaded me into it, sir.”

“Was your relationship with your wife begun