Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/96

46 Arihira started back, pleaded his innocence, and gave an account of what he had observed whilst concealed in the tree. But the samurai was too excited to listen to his explanation. Fortunately at that moment Sadakagé, Arihira's chief retainer, came and profusely pleaded for his master.

"Your sorrow is natural," he said, "but I wish to save my master from the infamous charge of murder. Please place his life in my hands for three days. Within that time I will surely search for the oflfender, and deliver him to you. Pray grant my request, sir."

After Sadakagé had finished speaking, Komachi's father Yoshizané came, and asserted that Lord Arihira was such a man of refinement that he could not have killed a young maiden. He also persuaded Chikatada to comply with Sadakagé's earnest request. But Chikatada added that if the real offender did not appear within the stipulated period, he would take Arihira's life.