The Convict's Sword by I. J. Parker Page A

floor impatiently. He said, “Sorry, Sakae, but there was a great deal of work. How did you manage?”
    Sakae pointed to a stack of documents. “All finished, sir. And here’s the report for the minister. We’ve already signed.”
    This was so unlike the Sakae he knew that Akitada looked quickly through the papers. Not only did they seem in order, but Sakae’s handwriting had improved materially. Light dawned belatedly. “I see you called on one of the scribes to assist you.”
    Sakae drew himself up. “Under the circumstances I thought it proper, sir.”
    “Yes. Quite. Very good.” Akitada signed the report. “I shall see you tomorrow then?”
    Sakae bowed and departed. Akitada was still looking after him, wondering what had come over his clerk, when Nakatoshi joined him.
    “Sakae is a changed man,” Nakatoshi said, making a face.
    “I wonder why.”
    “Isn’t it obvious, sir? Sakae wants your place when you’re gone.”
    Akitada turned, aghast. “My place?” Then he remembered that he had offered Soga his resignation and that it had been accepted. He felt the crushing weight of worry about the future. Then shame returned. How had the clerks found out?
    Nakatoshi looked embarrassed. “Before you came, the minister was speaking rather rashly about changes he intended to make. He also complimented Sakae on his fine work reorganizing the filing system. I’m afraid Sakae took this to mean . . .”
    “I see.”
    So that was why everyone had been all ears when he had arrived this morning. The humiliation of having been dismissed in such a public, and no doubt insulting, fashion made his face burn. He turned away abruptly, saying, “Until tomorrow then,” and walked out.

CHAPTER SIX
    KOBE

     
     
     
    At the door, Akitada met a familiar figure just coming in: a tall, middle-aged official who had a neatly trimmed beard and wore a formal silk robe and court hat.
    “Sugawara,” he cried, his face breaking into a big smile. “Here I am. Don’t look so glum! All will be well.”
    “Kobe,” said Akitada weakly, coming to a stop. Little did the man know that nothing was well, or would be in the end. Still, he was touched that Kobe had come in person and seemed in a friendly mood. Becoming aware that his greeting was lacking in welcome, he bowed quickly and returned the smile. “I was coming to see you. I hope you didn’t take my request amiss?”
    “Of course not! What are friends for?”
    Akitada regarded him uncertainly. “That is very good of you. I didn’t want to trouble you, but since you know both Tora and me, I thought you might be willing to help. It’s a cursed affair, and Tora was flogged before I could get to him. I was afraid using my influence would do nothing but make matters worse.”
    Kobe laughed—a nice, relaxed laughter. “Come, come! Why act the stranger when I expected to see an old friend? Of course I know Tora couldn’t have done such a thing. It’s all a mistake, though I expect Tora was meddling again. Sorry to hear about the flogging, but he was cheerful enough when I talked to him.”
    “You have been to see him? That was very kind of you.”
    “Not at all. Prisoners come to me, not I to them. I ordered his transfer. It took a while. Confounded paperwork. But you know how it is.”
    “Yes. I’ve been tied up all day myself. Thank you.”
    “If you’re free now, shall we pay him a visit?”
    Akitada hesitated. Kobe’s open support might give his enemies an opportunity to charge him with favoritism. He said, “I don’t like to impose further on your goodness.”
    “You’re not. I like Tora. Come, you can tell me what you think about the case on the way.”
    Akitada still hung back. “What if . . . certain people use this kindness to make trouble for you?”
    Kobe raised a brow. “Ah, so you’ve heard the rumors. Never mind that. And you, of all people, warning me about getting into trouble?”
    That made Akitada smile. “Who better?”
    “Nonsense. If you