The 47 Ronin Story by John Allyn Page A

he had heard enough, Kataoka stood to jump from the balcony when he happened to notice the printed design on the haori hanging on the rail. He drew a quick breath of surprise, then recovered himself and vaulted lightly to the ground.
    "It was the crest of Uesugi," he announced in a rush of words as Oishi let him in the rear entrance. "Uesugi of Yonezawa—you know the clan, they're famous for their expert archers!"
    Oishi frowned. "Uesugi . . . yes. And our enemy Kira's grandson was adopted into the house of Uesugi not so long ago . . . Horibe mentioned it in one of his reports. The chief councilor of that house, Chisa-ka, is very shrewd, I hear . . . that wasn't the name of the man you saw tonight, was it?"
    "No, the others addressed him as Fujii."
    "He must be a professional spy. Chisaka would employ nothing but the best."
    "But why should Chisaka be so concerned with Kira's affairs just because his son is in the family now. Do we have to figure on taking on the bowmen of Uesugi, too?"
    • Pi.

    Oishi was thoughtful. "It could be. It's my guess, however, that Chisaka is trying to avoid any kind of conflict. He probably considers that if Kira were attacked and killed it would reflect on his own master, Lord Uesugi, and he is therefore taking every precaution to see that such a thing doesn't happen."

Kataoka nodded. This made perfect sense; the expense of the spies was worth it if it kept the mind of Chisaka's master at rest, "But what about our meetings? Will we have to avoid contact with our own men from now on?"
    "We can't aff^ord that," Oishi said firmly. "We can only hope that our gatherings become accepted as routine rituals commemorating our late master. To cut ourselves off" from the men of Ako now would destroy any chance we might have for unified action later."
    Kataoka accepted this but still had an uncomfortable look. Oishi noticed it and asked him what was still troubling him.
    "It was the third man in the room," he said. "I'm afraid it's someone we thought we could trust."
    Oishi had sickening thoughts of one of his own men going over to the enemy, but Kataoka quickly realized the impression he had given and hastened to correct it. "No, no, I didn't mean one of us. But it is someone from your household—the cook who was recommended to you by your cousin Shindo!"
    "A bird flies up near one's feet," came to Oishi's lips, and he frowned to think that even his own household was not safe.
    "I know you think highly of his work; it'll be too bad to have to terminate his services."
    Kataoka concluded by caressing his sword hilt in an obvious gesture, but Oishi raised his hand. "No,
    .94*

    Chapter Six
    no, you're as bad as Hara. You want to rush into action that can only get us into more trouble. What surer sign could our enemies have that we are plotting against them than if we kill their spies? No, we will keep this man on and use him for our own purposes. If the time comes that we wish false information to be circulated, we'll know exactly where to leak it to."
    "Excellent," said Kataoka admiringly. "But we must warn everyone to be on his guard. Your wife and children must know what kind of thing we are concealing in the kitchen."
    Oishi thought for a moment. "No, I think not. I trust them not to say anything they shouldn't, even now. If they start behaving strangely in front of the cook, he'll suspect that we suspect him and he will be of little use to us. He must believe that we know nothing. Don't you agree that that's best?"
    Kataoka reluctantly nodded but still looked downcast.
    "What's the matter now?" Oishi asked.
    "I wish / didn't know about him."
    "And why is that?"
    "Because now my appetite will be spoiled thinking about who cooked the meal."
    Oishi laughed. "Then maybe you won't eat so much and will stop getting so fat."
    Kataoka made a wry face but inwardly he was smiling. He had made Oishi laugh for the first time since they had left Ako and he felt this was accomplishing a great deal under the