“He’ll come,” Sano said with more conviction than he felt. Nervously he eyed Supreme Judge Takeda’s four retainers, who surrounded the clearing. They were here to either help arrest the smugglers, or to take Sano and Hirata to jail if the plan failed. “Maybe he’s having trouble getting out of town. But he’ll be here soon.”

When summoned to the courtroom—on the pretext of verifying his testimony—Chief Ohira had revealed where the smugglers planned to meet and agreed to take the tribunal there, but his manner had disturbed Sano. Kneeling before the dais, he’d seemed a shadow that might drift away at any moment. His eyes looked straight through everyone, betraying no recognition or emotion. Yet Sano had no choice but to trust Ohira. His life and Hirata’s depended on catching the smugglers, to whom Ohira was the only link. To avoid arousing the suspicion of corrupt authorities, Chief Ohira had left the courtroom to go about his usual business until night came. He’d promised to send a servant who would lead them along a secret route to a hidden shelter from which he would take them to the smugglers’ meeting place.

For the rest of the day, Sano, Hirata, and the tribunal had remained sequestered in the mansion, under the pretense of conducting a lengthy trial. For secrecy’s sake, no one was allowed in or out. Upstairs, Takeda’s retainers had guarded Sano and Hirata in case they tried to escape. Servants had bathed them and supplied food, clean clothes, and bedding. Hirata had slept, but Sano had been too tense to rest. He could hear Judges Segawa and Dazai arguing with Takeda. At the front gate, Governor Nagai’s envoys frequently inquired about the progress of the trial. Sano watched through the window as Takeda’s retainers sent them away with the message that the tribunal had not yet reached a decision. Time dragged; the day waned. Sano asked for news of the Dutch ship, and was unhappy to learn that it remained in the harbor, ready to attack. The long wait filled him with worry. Would his enemies guess the plan? Would Ohira renege on his promise?

Then, long after nightfall, Takeda’s manservant entered, bearing two plain, dark cloaks and two sets of swords. “Master says to put these on. It’s time.”

Sano woke Hirata. They donned the garments and weapons. Takeda’s retainers escorted them to the back door, where they found all three judges and Chief Ohira’s elderly manservant.

“This is foolish,” Judge Segawa said. He and Dazai glared at Sano. “Takeda-san, these criminals mean to kill us and escape.”

Supreme Judge Takeda’s eyes shone with a youthful adventurousness that had probably affected his decision. “My men will make sure they behave. Come.”