“Tell them I forbid it. And have a doctor sent for.”

They repositioned Takagi and covered his back again. The peasant submitted passively, staring around the room with a vacant expression.

Akitada leaned forward. “Takagi, look at me. Where did you get the gold you had?”

“Three pieces of gold.” Takagi nodded proudly, holding up three fingers. “The soldiers took the gold. I got to have it back. It belongs to the village.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s for the bowls and the oxen. My father said, ‘Takagi, go sell our bowls in the markets of Shinano province where they have much gold, and sell the oxen, too. Then we don’t have to feed them in the winter when they are no good to us.’ And so I go and I bring home three gold pieces.” He held up the three fingers again.

Akitada nodded. “A good plan. How many oxen did you take?”

“Two. To carry the bowls.”

“So you were on your way home. Why did you stop at the inn so early in the day?”

“Tired. I walk and walk, and then I rest and walk again. Sometimes I rest at night, sometimes in the day.”

“So you went to sleep at the inn as soon as you got there? Did you sleep all day?”

Takagi looked puzzled. “I wake up hungry. I ask for food, but no food. The girl is with the mistress. So I go to the market and buy noodles. For a copper. The coppers are mine to keep. The gold belongs to the village. Will you give it back? I have to go home.”

“What time was it when you saw the mistress?”

He leaned his head back and studied the ceiling. His plain face contorted with the effort, but he finally said, “Don’t know.”

“Where was her husband?”

The face became blank. “Husband?”

“How did you get the knife?”

He began to frown deeply again, then smiled. “I know. The knife was from the kitchen.”

“How do you know?”

Takagi frowned again and scratched his head. “A nice big one.” He held his hands apart about a foot. “The girl is cutting a big radish with a little bit of a knife for our dinner. The big knife is better for big radish.”

“So!” Akitada slammed his fist on his writing table, “Confess! You liked the big knife so well you stole it. And that night you started looking for something else to steal and found the innkeeper ill in his room. You killed him, took his money, sharing it with the other two so they would keep quiet, and the three of you made your escape. And you kept the nice large knife for a souvenir.” He straightened up and added coldly, “Confess now, and the law will be merciful.”

Takagi looked dully at him, shaking his head from side to side. “Stealing is wrong. Demons bite off your hands.” He held out his big, work-scarred paws. “See? I didn’t steal.”

“Then how did the knife get in your bundle?”

Takagi looked blank again.

“What did you do with your bundle at the inn?”

“The girl said to put it in the kitchen. When I walk, I carry it on a stick over my shoulder.”

“Did you take it to the market with you?”

“No. The maid said to leave it behind the rice basket.”

“Weren’t you afraid someone might take your gold pieces?”

Takagi laughed out loud. “No gold in bundle. Oh no. Father said, ‘Put gold inside scarf and tie it around your waist.’“ He patted his middle and remembered his loss. “Three pieces of gold. Will you give them back?”

Akitada stared hard at the farmer and then waved to Hitomaro to take him away. “I wonder,” he muttered to Tora. “Someone must have seen these three in the market. They’re memorable enough.”

“And how! I don’t know about the other two, but it looks bad for Takagi. He’s not too bright. The fool admitted that he saw the knife and liked it.”

“True, that was not very bright, but it gives his story a certain convincing ring. And remember, of the three he is the only one who did not confess. You were right. Not one of the three is the criminal type. Umehara seems just what he claims to be, a middle-aged traveling salesman. Any number of locals may be able to testify to his character. Perhaps the magistrate will make an effort to verify his story, and that of the others, but I’m beginning to have my doubts. The actor Okano is afraid of his own shadow, and the peasant is slow-witted enough to believe that demons punish people for crimes. I cannot imagine who accepted that ridiculous tale that they are members of a gang.” He sighed. “I am convinced. We must check into the case.” Giving Tora a quizzical look, he added, “I expect you are just the man to talk to the maid at the inn.”

Tora jumped up eagerly.

“Not so fast. You haven’t shown much diplomacy so far, and I am very reluctant to interfere with a properly appointed judge in the execution of his duty. Only the thought of having this kind of abuse going on makes me intervene. Be very careful about what you say or do.”

Before Tora could depart, Hitomaro came in to announce a visitor. The new arrival was a warrior in full armor bearing the Uesugi crest. He had a strip of white cotton tied about his helmet.

“A messenger from Takata, sir,” Hitomaro said unnecessarily.

Akitada looked at the white cotton band and sat up. “Speak,” he told the man.

The warrior knelt and bowed snappily. “This humble person announces the death of the great Lord of Takata, Uesugi Maro, High Constable of Echigo, Barbarian-Subduing General, and head of his clan. May the Buddha guide his soul to paradise.”

The news was not unexpected, and Akitada made a suitably pious response, adding, “Tell his son, the new lord, that I shall express my condolences formally and in person.”

When the messenger had left, Akitada looked at his lieutenants. “This changes everything. We must not lose any more time. I want both of you to go out immediately. You, Tora, will ask questions in the market and go to the inn to talk to the maid. I have decided to investigate the handling of criminal cases. The official reason will be suspicion of negligence by the court. Judge Hisamatsu will have to explain the abuse of suspects among other things.

“Hitomaro, it is time to contact Genba again. After that I want you to check on the outcasts. The younger Uesugi has an irrational hatred for them. I want to know why. You must both be quick and discreet and report back as soon as possible.”

They left, and Akitada went in search of his wife. While he would never admit such a thing to her, he found great comfort in her good sense and loving care.