While the litany droned on, Sano gasped and spewed and fought to maintain his grip. Twisting his neck, he saw that they were nearing the outer shore of Deshima, where two other watchboats floated outside the signposts. The men in them sat facing the harbor. Before Sano came within their range of vision, he let go and ducked underwater. When the boat passed over him, he grabbed the stern, letting it tow him.

The boat glided to a stop near the island’s northwest corner. Cautiously Sano poked his head above the water and saw the crew sitting with their gazes turned seaward. Sano swam underwater toward Deshima, hoping the Dutch ship would hold their attention and the sound of waves and war drums mask any noises he made. Breathless and exhausted, he reached the island’s rocky, vertical foundation. The fence rose high above him. Hurriedly he untied the rope around his waist, watching the sentries not twenty paces away. How much time before someone got bored and chanced to look behind him?

Half in, half out of the water, Sano leaned against the foundation and put his ear to the fence. He heard marching footsteps approach, pass, and recede: a guard, patrolling the perimeter. With no time to lose before the next inspection, Sano tossed the iron hook at the top of the fence. It struck with a loud thump, then clattered noisily onto the rocks, bringing the rope with it. Sano cursed under his breath; panic thrummed along his nerves as he glanced at the boat sentries …

… who remained immobile, facing out to sea. Praying for luck, Sano threw the hook again. This time it caught the fence and held securely. Bracing his feet against the island’s foundation, he pulled his dripping self clear of the water, looking over his shoulder at the watch-boats. Hand over hand he climbed up the fence. His feet scraped against the planks; he expected to hear an alarm rise from within the compound. When his head cleared the fence, he looked down into the narrow passage between the outer and inner fences.

It was empty, but Sano heard nearby voices. Briefly he contemplated the dire consequences of being caught trespassing on Deshima: instant death. But he’d already breached island security, and the boat sentries would shoot if they saw him. He scrambled onto the top of the fence, wincing as the spikes jabbed him. Pulling the hook free, he dropped into the passage.

His feet hit the gravel with a loud crunch. Hastily he crammed the rope and hook inside his drenched kimono, then sped to the gate he remembered from his first visit. He cautiously opened it and looked inside.