upon it. It was bought by a girl of about the same age as the
dead lady. She wore it only one day. Then she fell sick, and
began to act strangely,--crying out that she was haunted by the
vision of a beautiful young man, and that for love of him she was
going to die. And within a little while she died; and the long-
sleeved robe was a second time presented to the temple.

Again the priest sold it; and again it became the property of a
young girl, who wore it only once. Then she also sickened, and
talked of a beautiful shadow, and died, and was buried. And the
robe was given a third time to the temple; and the priest
wondered and doubted.

Nevertheless he ventured to sell the luckless garment once more.
Once more it was purchased by a girl and once more worn; and the
wearer pined and died. And the robe was given a fourth time to
the temple.

Then the priest felt sure that there was some evil influence at
work; and he told his acolytes to make a fire in the temple-
court, and to burn the robe.

So they made a fire, into which the robe was thrown. But as the
silk began to burn, there suddenly appeared upon it dazzling
characters of flame,--the characters of the invocation, Namu myo
ho renge kyo;--and these, one by one, leaped like great sparks to
the temple roof; and the temple took fire.

Embers from the burning temple presently dropped upon
neighbouring roofs; and the whole street was soon ablaze. Then a