As they left the beer-house a small round Japanese man bobbed up from the crowd, raised his hat, bowed and smiled. It was Tanaka. Geoffrey had left him behind on purpose, that his servants, at least, might not know where he was going.
"I think--I meet Ladyship here," said the little man, "but for long time I do not spy her. I am very sorry."
"Is anything wrong? Why did you come?" asked Geoffrey.
"Good _samurai_ never leave Lordship's side. Of course, I come," was the reply.
"Well, hurry up and get back," said his master, "or we shall be home before you."
"We can never get rid of Tanaka," she said, "can we? He follows us like a detective."
"Sometimes I think he is deliberately spying on us," said her husband.
"Cheer up," said Reggie, "they all do that."
The party dispersed at the Imperial Hotel. Asako was laughing and happy. She had enjoyed herself immensely as usual; and her innocence had realized little or nothing of the grim significance of what she had seen.
But Geoffrey was gloomy and distrait. He had taken it much to heart. That night he had a horrible dream. The procession of the _oiran_ was passing once more before his eyes; but he could not see the face of the gorgeous doll whom all these crowds had come out to admire. He felt strangely apprehensive, however. Then at a corner of the street the figure turned and faced him. It was Asako, his wife. He struggled to reach her and save her. But the crowds of Japanese closed in upon him; he struggled in vain.
_Inishi toshi Ne-kojite uyeshi Waga yodo no Wakaki no ume wa Hana saki ni keri_.
The young plum tree Of my house Which in bygone years I dug up by the roots and transplanted Has at last bloomed with flowers.
Next morning Geoffrey rose earlier than was his wont; and arrayed in one of his many kimonos, entered his sitting-room. There he found Tanaka, wrapped in contemplation of a letter. He was scrutinizing it with an attention which seemed to pierce the envelope.
"Who is it from, Tanaka?" asked Geoffrey; he had become mildly ironical in his dealings with the inquisitive guide.
"I think perhaps invitation to pleasure party from Ladyship's noble relatives," Tanaka replied, unabashed.
Geoffrey took the note to his wife, and she read aloud: