And now it only remains to tell what became of the head.



A day or two after leaving Suwa, Kwairyo met with a robber, who stopped
him in a lonesome place, and bade him strip. Kwairyo at once removed his
koromo, and offered it to the robber, who then first perceived what was
hanging to the sleeve. Though brave, the highwayman was startled: he
dropped the garment, and sprang back. Then he cried out:-- "You! -- what
kind of a priest are you? Why, you are a worse man than I am! It is true
that I have killed people; but I never walked about with anybody's head
fastened to my sleeve... Well, Sir priest, I suppose we are of the same
calling; and I must say that I admire you!... Now that head would be of use
to me: I could frighten people with it. Will you sell it? You can have my
robe in exchange for your koromo; and I will give you five ryo for the
head."


Kwairyo answered:--


"I shall let you have the head and the robe if you insist; but I must tell
you that this is not the head of a man. It is a goblin's head. So, if you
buy it, and have any trouble in consequence, please to remember that you
were not deceived by me."