Free Rashomon Gate by I. J. Parker

to compromise his principles if he were asked to do so as a favor to a high-ranking person.
    But seeing the pure joy on the wrinkled face of his former teacher, he was ashamed and explained that his work rarely allowed him leisure to see his friends.
    Tanabe looked disappointed. "Well," he said, "that is a pity, but here's another Fujiwara for you to meet." He waved over a tall, bearded man in a wrinkled green silk gown held together by an unmatched sash. The bearded giant approached and responded cheerfully to the introductions.
    "The new man, eh?" he boomed. "Heard about you. Helped one of my namesakes out of a very sticky situation in Kazusa province." His eyes twinkled. "Not engaged in a similar mission here, are you?"
    It probably was a joke, but Akitada gaped for a moment, much to Fujiwara's amusement. "My former mentor, Professor Hirata, has asked me to fill in temporarily for his assistant," Akitada said stiffly. He wondered if the big man's lumbering physique masked a very nimble mind. Then he remembered that Fujiwara had been one of the proctors during the spring examination, and, suddenly curious, he asked, "Are you related to Lord Motosuke?"
    "Ho, ho, ho!" roared this Fujiwara. "Related? Me? No more than China and Japan, or winter and summer. Different branches of the family altogether. We are the southern Fujiwaras, mostly small land-holders in the provinces. Wouldn't the Fujiwara ministers, chancellors, counsellors and lords just love me for a cousin? Look at me, man! I'm a disgrace!"
    "Surely not, sir," protested Akitada, embarrassed.
    "Of course I am. I drink, I carouse, and I tell dirty jokes! I associate with disreputable characters and courtesans. My only saving grace is that I know a lot of interesting things about the history of China and about our own past, and the students seem to like to listen to me."
    There was great charm in such honesty and modesty. Putting aside his suspicions, Akitada said warmly, "That is surely what matters most." On an impulse, he added, "Since you have a good rapport with students, perhaps you have some advice for me. I am very concerned about one of my charges, young Minamoto. He is withdrawn and seems troubled, but I don't seem to be able to talk to him."
    Fujiwara became instantly serious. "Ah, yes. Poor boy!" He sighed. "Lost his grandfather recently. Weird story— you heard? Yes, of course." Again the shrewd eyes measured Akitada. "Since his parents and two uncles died during the last smallpox epidemic, his grandfather was raising him and his sister. The boy's too proud to show his hurt, of course. Thinks having imperial blood means being strong. Foolish but quite admirable in its way! Afraid I can't help you, though, Sugawara, having failed myself so far. But good luck!"
    A bobbing and bowing Nishioka interrupted. "Very sorry to break in. Please forgive the intrusion! I had no time to pay my respects earlier, Sugawara. How do you find teaching?"
    "I am beginning to find my way."
    "Did I hear you mention the name Minamoto just now? Yes. I wonder if you found out what the boy is doing here?"
    "He is a student," said Akitada curtly.
    "Ha, ha. Yes. Of course. Everybody knows that. Ah, I see. You are not familiar with his story. You see, he is the grandson of the same Prince Yoakira who vanished into thin air under supernatural circumstances. The family claims it was a miracle, and His Majesty has graciously given them his support. But why is the boy here? His family has left town. Lord Sakanoue, who is said to have married the boy's sister, brought him here the very night after the grandfather's disappearance. A strange thing to do, don't you think?"
    Fujiwara made a rude noise. "As usual," he boomed, "our own news-hound Nishioka has smelled a story. Trust him to sniff around until he gets to the bottom of it."
    Nishioka reddened, but defended himself gamely. "You like to joke, sir, but I make human behavior my special study. All of the sacred writings of Confucius and his