Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/389

Rh the Regent. Our enemy Gōsuké will be among his retinue, and the party will take their mid-day meal at Ōiso. I will go there at once, and see what Gōsuké is doing, and I shall soon be back."

"Your news is indeed good, Fudesuké. Go as quickly as you can."

"Farewell, my lord and lady."

When his servant had departed for Ōiso, Katsugorō's spirits rose, and he whispered to his wife: "Our opportunity has come at last. We can now take vengeance on our enemy."

To their astonishment, Angler and Sea-slug suddenly sprang to their feet.

"Iinuma Katsugorō and Hatsuhana!" they cried aloud. "You are our prisoners! If you make any resistance you shall die! Lord Hōjō sent us out as spies."

With these words they sprang at Katsugorō. The latter pleaded: "You are mistaken, sirs. I am not he." But they would not listen to his denial, and seized him on either side. Katsugorō, who was sitting, pinioned their arms, and threw them violently on to the ground.

Suddenly the window of the temple parlour opened, and a man walked on to the verandah.