“Why did you tell those lies about me?” Contempt roughened Sano’s tone. He flung Iishino up against a tree. “I never asked the Dutch captain for weapons, or conspired with Dr. Huygens to overthrow the government, and you know it.” When Iishino cringed and trembled, Sano shouted, “Speak up! I want an answer, now. Why did you lie?”

Surprisingly, the interpreter’s toothy grin reappeared. “I didn’t lie, sōsakan-sama, I didn’t lie,” he said. “I only told my version of the truth, which is different from yours. The tribunal will decide which version to believe.”

Of all the incredible nerve! “There’s no one here but you and me, so you might as well drop the act,” Sano said, locking a hand over Iishino’s throat and pinning him to the tree. “You’re going to explain why you lied. Then we’re going to Governor Nagai so you can retract your statement.”

Iishino kicked, thrashed, and managed to choke out, “My statement has already been entered into the official record. I couldn’t retract it even if I wanted to. And if you kill me, it will only convince the tribunal of your guilt.”

Much as Sano hated to admit it, the interpreter was probably right on the first point as well as the second: If Governor Nagai and Chamberlain Yanagisawa intended to destroy him, they wouldn’t let Iishino change his statement. Reluctantly Sano released the interpreter, who collapsed to the ground with a moan of relief.

“Where were you the night Jan Spaen disappeared?” Sano demanded.

Clambering to his feet, Iishino made an exaggerated show of wiping mud from his garments, avoiding Sano’s gaze. “I went to the governor’s mansion in the afternoon to translate some Dutch documents. By the time I finished, it was so late that the city gates were closed, and I couldn’t go home. I slept in the office, and didn’t know the barbarian was missing until I reported for work on Deshima.”

Sano thought that Iishino must be confident that the governor’s staff would confirm his story, either because he really had been there, or because they had orders to protect him. “What about the night before last?” Sano asked, curious to see what alibi Iishino would present for Peony’s murder and the attack on himself.

“I was at home with my wife.” Iishino beamed. “She is Governor Nagai’s niece.”

And the unimpeachable source of another unbreakable alibi. “And last night? Were you on Deshima?”

Iishino sidled up the road. “I should go back to the funeral,” he said. “My services might be needed. Of course I was not on Deshima last night. The junior interpreters cover the late shift. I was at home until the governor’s messenger summoned me to your hearing.”

“I’m not through with you yet,” Sano said, blocking Iishino’s path. “What was your relationship with Jan Spaen?”