Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa [509]
Back in his room, Matahachi stared at the ceiling. He seemed to hear Daizō’s voice whispering certain words over and over and recalled how his own lips had trembled when he’d said, “Yes, I’ll do it.” His skin covered with goose pimples, he jumped to his feet. “This is awful! I’m going over there right now and tell him I don’t want any part of it.”
Then he remembered something else Daizō had said: “Now that I’ve told you all this, you’re committed. I’d hate to see anything happen to you, but if you try to back out, my friends will have your head within—oh, three days at the outside.” Daizō’s piercing stare as he had said this flashed before Matahachi’s eyes.
Matahachi walked the short distance down Nishikubo Lane to the corner of the Takanawa highroad, where the pawnshop stood. The bay, cloaked in darkness, was at the end of a side street. He entered the alley alongside the familiar storehouse, went to the inconspicuous back door of the shop and knocked softly.
“It’s not locked,” came the immediate response.
“Daizō?”
“Yes. Glad you came. Let’s go into the storehouse.”
A rain shutter had been left open. Matahachi went into the outer corridor and followed the pawnbroker.
“Sit down,” said Daizō, placing a candle on a long wooden clothes chest. Sitting down himself and crossing his arms, he asked, “Did you see Umpei?” “Yes.”
“When will he take you to the castle?”
“The day after tomorrow, when he has to bring ten new laborers. He said he’d include me.”
“Then everything’s set?”
“Well, we still have to get the district headman and the five-man neighborhood association to put their seals on the documents.”
“No problem. It so happens I’m a member of the association.”
“Really? You?”
“What’s so surprising about that? I’m one of the more influential businessmen in the neighborhood. Last spring, the headman insisted I join.”
“Oh, I wasn’t surprised. I … I just didn’t know, that’s all.”
“Ha, ha. I know exactly what you thought. You thought it was scandalous for a man like me to be on the committee that looks after neighborhood affairs. Well, let me tell you, if you have money, everybody’ll say you’re a fine man. You can’t avoid becoming a local leader even if you try. Think, Matahachi. Before long you’re going to have lots of money too.”
“Y-y-yes,” stammered Matahachi, unable to suppress a shiver. “W-w-will you give me the advance now?”
“Wait a minute.”
Picking up the candle, he went to the rear of the storehouse. From a casket on the shelf, he counted out thirty pieces of gold. He came back and said, “Do you have anything to wrap them in?”
“No.”
“Use this.” He snatched a cotton rag from the floor and threw it to Matahachi. “You’d better put it in your stomach wrapper and make sure it’s done up tight.”
“Should I give you a receipt?”
“Receipt?” echoed Daizō with an involuntary laugh. “My, aren’t you the honest one! But no, I don’t need one. If you make a mistake, I’ll confiscate your head.”
Matahachi blinked and said, “I suppose I’d better be going now.”
“Not so fast. Some obligations go with that money. Do you remember everything I told you this morning?”
“Yes. Well, there is one thing. You said the musket would be under the locust tree. Who’s going to put it there?” Considering how difficult it was for ordinary workers to enter the castle grounds, he wondered how anyone could possibly manage to sneak in a musket and ammunition. And how could anyone without supernatural powers bury them so they’d be ready and waiting half a month from now?
“That doesn’t concern you. You just do what you’ve agreed to do. You’re nervous now because you’re not used to the idea. After you’ve been there a couple of weeks, you’ll be all right.”
“I hope so.”
“First you have to make up your mind you’re going through with it. Then you have to be on the lookout for the right moment.”
“I understand.”
“Now, I don’t want any slipups. Hide that money where no one can find