Sano thought of what he might have done to avoid this catastrophe. He should have ended the investigation after Peony’s confession and ignored the mysterious lights. He shouldn’t have boarded the Dutch ship, or sought acquaintance with Dr. Huygens and Abbot Liu Yun. He should never have taken the job in the first place! Now he rued the inner compulsions that had inspired his rash actions. Yet there seemed nothing to be done except continue as he’d begun.

He grabbed the wooden pass that would admit him to Deshima. Fortunately he hadn’t been carrying it at the time of his arrest. He hated to risk more treason charges by associating with the barbarians, but he saw only one way to exonerate himself and Hirata: He must defeat the enemies who had framed them. He must prove to the tribunal that his motives were proper and his investigation was legitimate by exposing the smugglers—the real traitors—and Director Spaen’s killer. Only then would he regain his freedom and honor. Also, Sano felt responsible for averting the threat of war. Now he must reinterrogate the Deshima barbarians, who were once again murder suspects and surely involved in the smuggling.

“Master, master!” Old Carp rushed into the room. “Is it true that you and Hirata-san are accused of treason?”

“Falsely accused,” Sano corrected. Tucking the pass inside his cloak, he said, “If Hirata contacts you, tell him …” To give himself up, and face execution? Resist arrest and die? Or run away to live as a fugitive outlaw? “Tell him to hide and pray.”

Sano hurried to the kitchen for a quick meal of rice cakes and dried fish, washed down with water, to fill his empty stomach. Then he rode out the gate, hoping to evade any secret pursuers.

The sun’s hazy scarlet disk rose over the city like a battle standard, pouring a sullen, ruddy glow over buildings, streets, and morning crowds. A warm, damp wind blew. The sea was opaque, colorless, and edged with whitecaps. Huge, dark storm clouds smudged the sky. At the Deshima guardhouse Sano presented his pass.

“This is no longer valid,” the guard said.

“On whose orders?” Sano demanded.

“Governor Nagai’s.”

He should have expected the governor to revoke his access to the island, Sano thought bitterly. Nagai didn’t want him to gather evidence against his accusers, or clear his name. Then an alternative plan occurred to Sano.

“When is Director Spaen’s funeral?” he asked.

“This morning. At the hour of the snake.”

According to custom, the Dutchmen would leave Deshima and accompany their dead comrade’s body to the burial ground, offering Sano a chance to find out what Assistant Director deGraeff and Dr. Huygens knew about the smuggling. For now, perhaps a talk with Chief Ohira would reveal the criminals’ identities, enabling Sano to appease the Dutch captain before tomorrow’s deadline, and prevent a war.