Year of the Boar, Thirteenth Month, Day 17. Postscript.

 I realised belatedly that I had been terribly stupid. It hit me like a bolt of lightning while I was sitting by the lake taking some fresh air earlier. Sasanuma is the reason Kaede knows about my network. It can only be him. He makes a living finding things out and engaging in spycraft. If he does not have some sort of network himself, I should be staggered. The only real question is, how does he know? Has he turned one or more of my people or did he read my pages while I ailed? Neither is an option I am pleased with. I hate the thought of him leafing through my private thoughts. Hate it. The idea that he could have shared them with Kaede makes me feel sick. I also do not like the idea that any of my people are now in danger. I suppose he could have intercepted one of the birds. That is the more likely explanation but that presents other problems. If he has taken my birds, Kaede knows. How can it be then, that she expects me to find out what she wants to know? Unless... unless that conversation really was her idea of putting me on notice...

What then, shall I do when she asks for the information she requested I find out?