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 as O-Matsu the Devil or Ohyaku the Dakki.”

“Does the Madonna belong to that ring?”

“That Madonna-san, you know, was engaged to Professor Koga,–who brought you here,–yes, was promised to him.”

“Ha, how strange! I never knew our friend Hubbard Squash was a fellow of such gallantry. We can’t judge a man by his appearance. I’ll be a bit more careful.”

“The father of Professor Koga died last year,–up to that time they had money and shares in a bank and were well off,–but since then things have grown worse, I don’t know why. Professor Koga was too good-natured, in short, and was cheated, I presume. The wedding was delayed by one thing or another and there appeared the head teacher who fell in love with the Madonna head over heels and wanted to many her.”

“Red Shirt? He ought be hanged. I thought that shirt was not an ordinary kind of shirt. Well?”