society ladies, while in the background stand some forty or fifty police. About a dozen workers, come to welcome their leader, only to be shoved back by the police for their pains.
“Now stand back there, you, stand back!”
Akai, radiant and charming, shakes hands with everybody, beginning with the governor and chief of police and ending with the lesser lights. Then, accompanied by the first two, he rides in the official automobile and amidst scenes of rejoicing arrives at the district office.
A dark-skinned man comes and bows before the impressive figure of Akai, now settled comfortably in the governor’s secretariat. The governor introduces him.
“This is the head of the political police of this district, Kurozo Kuroi.”
“I’m glad to meet you.”
“Mr. Akai has come to study the conditions of the miners in this district. I hope you will help him.”
“I shall you my best, your lordship.”
He makes a grave bow.
IV
Three figures enter the pit-head and go as far as the entrance to the shaft. The first and the last wear straw sandals. These are detectives attached to the mining area. Akai, in the middle, is betrayed by his girth. As if descending a well the detective in front catches hold of the ladder and begins to go down. Next, slowly and fearfully, Akai follows.
