fully fulfilled Yoshitstmé's instructions to secretly save Atsumori.
Naozané's pathetic story overwhelmed all his listeners. When he had finished Kagétaka, who had brought in the stone-mason some time before, suddenly appeared on the scene.
"I have overheard," he cried, "that both Lord Yoshitstmé and Naozané have traitorously saved Atsumori, a general of the enemy. His Excellency Lord Yoritomo shall at once be informed of this." He began to turn his steps outward. Suddenly a dart came flashing through the air, and lodged in his throat. He fell dead on the spot. The next moment the old stone-mason appeared.
"It is I who have caused the death of this rascally nuisance," he said. "I did it in order to set you all at ease. Farewell, I will see you again." With these words he prepared to depart. Yoshitsuné bade him stop.
"Old man," he said, "before you go, I have something to present you with. Here it is, you must take great care of it."
He pointed to a large armour-chest placed in the alcove.
