Hakuōdō Yusai, the fortune-teller, went to view the corpse at the
prayer of the faithless Tomozō. The old man was terrified and
astonished at the spectacle, but looked about him with a keen eye. He
soon perceived that the _o-fuda_ had been taken from the little window
at the back of the house; and on searching the body of Shinzaburō, he
discovered that the golden _mamori_ had been taken from its wrapping,
and a copper image of Fudō put in place of it. He suspected Tomozō of
the theft; but the whole occurrence was so very extraordinary that he
thought it prudent to consult with the priest Ryōseki before taking
further action. Therefore, after having made a careful examination of
the premises, he betook himself to the temple Shin-Banzui-In, as
quickly as his aged limbs could bear him.
Ryōseki, without waiting to hear the purpose of the old man’s visit, at
once invited him into a private apartment.
“You know that you are always welcome here,” said Ryōseki. “Please seat
yourself at ease…. Well, I am sorry to tell you that Hagiwara Sama is
dead.”
Yusai wonderingly exclaimed:—“Yes, he is dead;—but how did you learn of
it?”