“Warden!” Sano shouted. The man opened the door so fast that Sano guessed he’d been eavesdropping outside. “Take this garbage away and bring something better.”

The warden frowned. “He’s supposed to be treated the same as the other prisoners—he eats what they eat; no special privileges of any kind. Governor Nagai’s orders.”

How quickly and completely the governor had withdrawn favor from his former protégé, Sano thought. Did he really believe in Kiyoshi’s guilt, or want to distance himself from an accomplice turned scapegoat?

“Bring hot soup, fresh rice, and sake,” Sano told the warden. “I’ll take the responsibility.”

“Suit yourself.” Shrugging, the warden took the tray and left.

When the new provisions came, Sano set them in front of Kiyoshi, but the youth made no move to eat. Sano held a spoonful of soup to Kiyoshi’s mouth.

“Drink this,” he coaxed. “You’ll feel better.”

The soup trickled down Kiyoshi’s immobile lips and onto his kimono, as did the liquor Sano offered next. Sano wiped the young man’s face with his own sleeve, then spoke in a calm, quiet tone, feeling his way.

“From what I can tell, you’re a dutiful, hardworking samurai. And you must be intelligent to learn Dutch.”

Sano paused, waiting for a response, but Kiyoshi didn’t even blink. Sano continued, “I don’t believe you would ever want to break the law, or intentionally hurt anyone. Isn’t that why you’re suffering now? Because even though you didn’t commit the crime you confessed to, you’ve hurt so many people. Not just me, but the people to whom you owe your highest loyalty: your father, Governor Nagai, Interpreter Iishino … and Junko.”

Though the young samurai’s face retained its icy pallor and stillness, Sano detected a faint reaction to Junko’s name: The atmosphere around Kiyoshi vibrated like a taut samisen string when touched too lightly to make a sound.

“Junko must love you very much, to disobey her father by meeting you secretly,” Sano said. “She would be heartbroken if you should die—especially for something you didn’t do.”

Seeing Kiyoshi’s throat contract, Sano continued, “I’m sure Junko must be desperate to know how you could sacrifice your honor and betray her love this way.” Sano hated exploiting the boy’s weakness, but his own life and honor, as well as Hirata’s, might depend on what he learned from Kiyoshi. “If you tell me what happened last night, I’ll deliver a message to Junko so she’ll know you’re innocent, and that you still love her.”

The blank surface of Kiyoshi’s gaze rippled like water during an earth tremor, but he kept his silence. Had he lost the ability to speak?