“I see,” said Sano. He’d just been warned that if he attacked the governor, his mother, aunts, uncles, and cousins would suffer at the hands of Nagai’s minions. Also, the governor, like General Noriyama, had covered himself in the event that the frame-up should fail and the bakufu ever challenge his handling of Sano’s case. If the tribunal should find Sano innocent, Nagai could blame his subordinates, and thereby escape punishment.

“I find it difficult to understand why you take such an active interest in the problems of the nation,” Governor Nagai said, “since your own days upon this earth are numbered.”

Of all his enemies, the one Sano hated most was Nagai, symbol of everything wrong in the bakufu’s upper echelon. He got a firm grip on his temper, knowing he could exploit Nagai’s weaknesses to his own advantage, but only if he kept his main goal in sight. “I wouldn’t be too sure of that if I were you, Honorable Governor.” As the warship breasted the gray, choppy waves, Sano matched Nagai’s bland tone. “I’ve spoken with Kiyoshi, Interpreter Iishino, and Chief Ohira today. The more closely one examines your case against me, the weaker it seems. After all, none of the witnesses are totally unbiased, credible, or beyond impeachment. The tribunal can’t fail to notice.”

“Oh?” Nagai’s expression remained impassive.

“Take Kiyoshi, for example,” Sano said. “His testimony links me to the smuggling, but he’s gone mad. The magistrates will doubt anything he says. And it’s not hard to draw the conclusion that he lied to protect someone with whom he has strong professional or personal ties.”

Like you, Governor, Sano let his tone imply. “Then there’s Iishino. He was the only interpreter present when I spoke with the barbarians. His statement about what happened between them and me can’t be confirmed. And because Iishino speaks Dutch fluently, he’s the person most able to conspire with the barbarians, and engage in conflicts strong enough to provoke violence.”

“Yes. Well.” Governor Nagai’s warrior costume lent a menacing edge to his familiar geniality. “Interpreter Iishino and Chief Ohira are witnesses of great fortitude. They also have excellent records.”

This meant that they would stand firm by their statements, thereby upsetting any claim of bias or perjury Sano made against them. Furthermore, their credentials weighed in their favor, while Sano, the accused, must battle the presumption of guilt, from which neither his rank nor accomplishments could shield him.