Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/100

50 sacred meeting, your Excellency," answered Sadakagé, bowing to the Minister, "but I think we have indisputable evidence. To tell the truth, this crime was committed from motives of jealousy in love. Lord Kuronushi secretly killed Chikatada's sister, intending to lay his crime on his rival Lord Arihira, my master, in order to attain his base wishes. When we examined the unfortunate maiden's garments, we found among them a poem written on a piece of beautiful paper, which was evidently prepared for today's meeting. I have it here, your Excellency. We concluded that the writer of this poem must be the murderer, and therefore expected to find him at this meeting. The poem by Lord Kuronushi which was read just now was exactly the same as the one we found in U-noha's clothes, and I have therefore judged him to be the culprit. I hope that your Excellency will agree with the truth of my judgment."

The Minister compared the two poems, and on examining them both carefully, found that they were word for word the same, not only in construction, but also the handwriting was identical in every detail. He was greatly astonished, and