But
the two harlots again affirmed that they at least had received them
during the visit of the bonzes.
"The matter is quite clear," the Governor cried at length. "Put all of
these adulterers in chains!"
The bonzes had some thought of resisting; but they had no weapons and
were outnumbered. The only ones left free were an old man who kindled
the incense, and the two little novices still in childhood.
The gate of the monastery was closed and guarded. On his return to the
yamen, the Governor took his seat in the Hall of Justice, and had his
prisoners questioned in the usual ways. Fear of pain loosened their
tongues, and they were condemned to death. They were cast into prison
to await the ratification of their sentence.
As the Governor of the prison went his rounds to inspect their bonds,
the Superior whispered to him:
"We have brought nothing, neither clothes, nor blankets, nor food. If
you will allow me to return for a moment to the monastery with three
or four of my monks, I will willingly give you a hundred ounces of
silver."
The prison governor knew the wealth of the monastery. He smiled:
"My price is a hundred ounces for myself, and two hundred for my men."
The Superior made a grimace, but was compelled to promise this larger
sum. The warders consulted with each other, and finally, when night
came, led the Superior and three of his bonzes back to the monastery.
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