Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/329

Rh paper a sum of money and some medicine when lo and behold! before his eyes flashed the point of a naked sword that had pierced the mat from beneath the floor. With great presence of mind he upset upon the blade the lukewarm water from the kettle. In all likelihood the would-be assassin mistook this water for blood and concluded that his thrust had gone home. At any rate, a masked man, drawn sword in hand, broke into the room and slashed at Jirōzayémon. Without losing his presence of mind the samurai engaged him with his fan, and in the midst of the fight Tokuyémon appeared in the room and beheld the struggle with open-mouthed astonishment.

The fight was of short duration. Jirōzayémon disarmed his opponent and scarcely had the young man taken up the fallen sword, when the ruffian's head fell to the mat.

"You are, indeed, a skilful swordsman, sir," the landlord broke out, with an involuntary cry of admiration. But Jirōzayémon coolly ordered him to dispose of the corpse and after the room had been cleaned, said to the old man:

"I have a favour to ask of you. It is that you be so kind as to send again for that blind girl."