"Most certainly, sir," answered the landlord, his head on one side, "but as Asagao has gone to the town of Shimizu she cannot be here to-night."
"How unfortunate! And I must be on the road to-morrow morning not later than four o'clock. What an unlucky creature I am! Well, landlord, I must leave in your care these three things for Asagao, as her fee for our entertainment. Please give them to her when she next comes here."
Tokuyémon received and carefully scrutinized the articles. "This, sir, is a very large sum of money. And a beautiful fan and a packet of medicine into the bargain!"
"The medicine," said Jirōzayémon, "is for the eyes. It is a sovereign remedy, imported from China. Let this preparation be administered, mixed with the blood of a man born in the year of the Rat and any eye-disease will be cured on the instant. It is indeed miraculous in its power."
"It is in truth a precious gift, sir," said Tokuyémon with a respectful reverence. "How grateful Asagao will be to you! In her name I thank you most heartily, sir."
At that moment the clock struck four, and Takita, arrayed in travelling gear and waited on
