There was a moment's silence while Mishiko overcame her reluctance.

When she spoke, it was with a small, timid voice. 'These painted spies are a male and female long-dog. They claim to work for an organisation called AMEXICO. They say this organisation has worked hand-in-glove for many years with a network of secret agents controlled by you. They say they are able to speak j.a.panese because you have sent teachers into their underground domain and, in return, AMEXICO have supplied your agents with..."

'Go on. Let us hear the whole of this sorry tale."

'... with devices animated by the Dark Light.

Devices with can capture voices and can send reports and commands undetected through the air from one end of the country to the other."

Ieyasu's air of disdainful superiority had vanished but his voice still had a sarcastic edge. 'I see. But apart from the box found in their possession, would I be correct in thinking they had nothing to offer in the way of proof that their story was anything other than sheer fantasy? Ha! The Yama-s.h.i.ta must be in desperate straits if they hoped anyone would believe such a tissue of lies!" 'I agree, mi'lord.

You can see now why I hesitated. If that were all Kiyo Min-Orota had to tell me I would not have bothered to make this journey." Mishiko saw her great-uncle's eyes harden.

'There is more?"

'Yes. The long-dogs claim to have. had dealings with your secretary, ichiwara. They say they delivered several "black boxes" to him, and these were installed in a secret chamber inside the Summer Palace '

'Enough!" shouted ieyasu. 'That is absolutely outrageous!" Mishiko bowed. 'Those were my exact words to Lord Min-Orota. I knew you would be angry. Do you wish me to remain silent, or will you allow me to repeat their most dangerous charge against you?"

'Very well! Go on, if you must!" Mishiko moistened her lips. She had been waiting for this moment. 'The long-dogs claim to know where this chamber is. Kiyo says they have drawn a plan which is now in the possession of the Yama-s.h.i.ta. A plan which puqorts to show its location."

Ieyasu's lined face turned to stone. 'I see... And did he describe this plan to you?"

'No, mi'lord. But he saw it with his own eyes, and urged me to make you aware of its existence."

Ieyasu nodded thoughtfully, the slowness of the gesture in marked contrast to the speed at which his mind was working. 'You have done well to bring these matters to my attention, my child. I have underestimated the cunning and determination of our enemies."

'Yes,' said Mishiko. 'It is obvious they planned to play upon my brother's hatred of the Dark Light in all its forms and his determination to uphold our most sacred traditions. By linking you to the long-dogs and their infernal devices, they hoped to destroy the trust that exists between you. Or - if I may venture to say so make him feel he had been utterly betrayed."

'Exactly! cried Ieyasu. 'There you have seized upon the nub of the matter! And with admirable shrewdness and economy! As your Highness knows, I have never subscribed to the belief that women are the weaker and inferior s.e.x, even though the laws of Ne-Issan have always denied them positions of real power.

'Were it otherwise, you would make a worthy candidate to occupy the throne! Strength of character, n.o.bility, intelligence, insight and above all - discretion! A quality never more needed than now. This conversation must remain a secret - between us."

'Of course."

'Not a word to anyone - especially your brother."

'No, great-uncle .... ' 'We have journeyed here to conduct great affairs of state - delicate negotiations away from prying eyes and the little-tattle of idle tongues that is the bane of court life!"

'Alas!

I know them only too well."

'Exactly! Exactly! That is why this malicious tale must not be allowed to reach 'your brother's ears. His concentration on the matter in hand must not be diverted.

He is, I regret to say, not as strong as you. His confidence in me is absolute. It is like a rock- but it is a rock fractured by self-doubt.

'The wrong word at the wrong time would be like a steel wedge hammered into a fault line by a quarryman. One well-aimed blow and the rock splits asunder! You and I must see that never happens. He needs our love and support."

'He has them, mi'lord. And you have my vow of silence."

Ieyasu, scenting things were once more going his way said: 'Then what reason will you give for following us here?"

Mishiko had her reply already prepared, but she paused to make it seem as if it came from the heart. 'I shall tell him that I had a premonition he was in mortal danger and rushed to be at his side to do what I could to prevent his death - or share it."

She gazed directly into Ieyasu's eyes. 'For were he to die, I would not wish to live a moment longer. And that part is true, I swear it."

Ieyasu rose to his feet and offered Mishiko his hand.

'I wish there was someone who held my life in such high esteem."

'Oh, come, mi'lord! Does not my brother love and respect you? It is you who has been his father in all but name."

'True, true. And you have not hesitated to confide in me. That is reward enough. Go, my child. My secretary Watanabe will conduct you back to your quarters. And there I must urge you to remain for the moment for I fear our enemies may be plotting more mischief."

Mishiko frowned. 'I do not understand .... '

'Your brother and I journeyed here in secret, my child.

To disguise our presence we are not protected by our usual number of guards. My worry is that this tale of black boxes and painted long-dogs may have been a cunning ruse to fill you with alarm."

'You mean they...?"

'Yes! You may, unwittingly, have led them to us at a time when we lack the means to defend ourselves."

'May the G.o.ds forgive me!" cried Mishiko. 'If that were true I would kill myself!" 'Tush, my child. I doubt that will be necessary. Your actions were inspired by a desire to protect the House of Toh-Yota.

And I shall be forever in your debt." He struck the floor three times with the point of his gold-topped staff.

Watanabe and Ichiwara entered and bowed as Ieyasu walked Lady Mishiko towards them.

'Watanabe. Convey her highness to her quarters. I have made her aware of certain dangers. Make sure she is guarded well."

'Yes, sire." Watanabe ushered Mishiko into the carriage-box that stood in the corridor immediately outside.

Ieyasu signalled Ichiwara to close the door and strode back into his private office. The benign expression which had concealed his true feelings as he bade goodbye to Mishiko had vanished. When he turned to face his secretary, all pretence had gone. This was no longer the kindly great-uncle: this was a vicious, cornered animal with a voice like cold steel.

'For the time being, it is no longer safe to operate the radio network.

Get the operator to send a signal to the other base units warning them we are going off the air. The communications equipment is to be removed from the box-room, destroyed by fire and the remains broken and buried in more than one place. All traces that might point to the room having been occupied are to be eliminated, and it is to be filled with rubble and completely sealed. I don't want it hidden. I want it to vanish - you understand?"

'Yes, sire."

'Good. Attend to it immediately! That order also applies to the equipment that came with the road convoy.

Everything must go. Our lives depend on it!" Ichiwara left and strode hurriedly along the side corridor and up the flights leading to the Records Office.

When the full court was in residence, a small army of scribes sat at the lines of desks, but now the long room was deserted.