third person who might have been known to Tai Min, and conceivably might have met him when the cashier came back from the palace. These points, however, were immaterial. For no matter who met Tai Min, the cashier had not handed over the necklace. For if he had, he would have mentioned that third person when tortured by Lang’s men. He had held out because he did have the necklace, and was hoping against hope to be able to survive and retrieve it.
Judge Dee lifted the calabash and looked at it intently. He remembered what Master Gourd had said about the importance of being empty. In order to discover where Tai Min had hidden the necklace, he would have to empty himself, and put himself in the cashier’s place. Become the cashier of the Kingfisher, and live his life. The judge closed his eyes.
He imagined himself on the high stool behind the counter in the hall downstairs. Badly paid by his miserly employer, he was sitting there every day from morning till night, his only distraction an occasional fishing trip on the river-a distraction to be indulged in only when business at the inn was slack. But there was a daily diversion, namely the sight of the adored Mrs Wei. The innkeeper’s wife must have been about in the hall a lot, for according to the owner of the Nine Clouds she took an active part in the running of the inn. The cashier would have snatched every opportunity to start a conversation with her. Not too often, for his employer would see to it that the youngster did not neglect his duties at the counter for long. Sorting out various bills and accounts, adding amounts with the aid of his abacus, and noting the total down in red ink on … Red ink!
Judge Dee opened his eyes. Here was a point worth noting. Tai Min had marked the route to Ten Miles Village in red ink. The map would be in one of the counter’s drawers, for it must be kept near at hand, for the convenience of the guests. And up in his attic Tai Min wouldn’t have had a cake of red ink, nor the special ink-slab for rubbing it. That meant he must have marked the map while sitting at the counter. By heaven, was that the answer? He sat up, put the calabash down on the bed, and pensively rubbed his neck. He decided to have a look for himself.
The judge went out in the corridor, carefully avoiding the creaking floorboard. The hall was dimly lit by a single lantern above the counter. The clerk had tidied up, leaving only the large ink-slab, a cake of black ink, and a tubular holder with a few writing-brushes. The judge found that the counter had two drawers to the right of the cashier’s high stool. He pulled the upper one out. It contained the inn’s register, a jar of the thick brown gum cashiers use for sticking bills together, a wooden stamp reading ‘payment received’ and the red seal-pad belonging to it, and a package of blank sheets and envelopes. He quickly opened the second drawer. Yes, next to the abacus lay a red ink-slab, and a small cake of red ink. Beside it were a water-container for moistening the slab and a red brush. Also a flat cash-box, empty of course-Mr Wei would never forget to empty it before retiring at night. But during the day the box might contain a fair amount of money. He went round the lattice screen. The large clothes-box he had seen Wei rummage about in was still standing on the floor, closed. He lifted the lid. It was completely empty. No robes. And no red jacket.
Judge Dee sat down in the armchair behind the innkeeper’s desk. Wei had placed it in a strategic position, for sitting there he could watch the hall through the open-work lattice screen, keep an eye on the counter and all who went in and out of his hostel. Yes, the problem of the marked map had now been solved.
There remained the final problem, namely where the necklace actually was now. He was convinced that the solution to this problem must be sought here in the Kingfisher, and within the small circle of the cashier’s dreary, everyday life. Again he imagined he was Tai Min, sitting on his high stool behind the counter, doing his work there under the watchful eye of Wei. He would offer the register to new guests for signing, and departing guests would ask him for their bill. Tai Min would then collect the various accounts relating to the room rent and other expenses incurred, add up the amounts due on his abacus, and write the total in red ink on the bill (which would eventually be stuck with brown gum to the day’s previous bills). After the guest had paid, the cashier would put the money in the cash-box in the second drawer, then stamp the bill ‘Payment received’, and… . Suddenly Judge Dee sat up straight. Gripping the armrests of the chair, he quickly went over all the facts in his mind. Yes, that was the solution, of course! He leaned back and smote his forehead. By heaven, he had made the most serious mistake a criminal investigator can ever make. He had overlooked the obvious!
Chapter 18
The crowing of the cock in the cook’s chicken-run woke the judge. He got up slowly, for every movement made his stiff muscles ache. Wincing, he went through a few of the exercises boxers use for regulating the blood circulation. Then he put on the long black robe of the preceding night, and placed the small skull-cap on his head. The folded yellow document he put in his sleeve.
As he came down the stairs he saw to his surprise about a dozen guardsmen loitering in the hall. Siew’s tall lieutenant was leaning against the counter, leisurely drinking a cup of tea with the innkeeper. Liu came to meet the judge, saluted and said with a faint smile:
‘I saw in this morning’s report of the night watch that you were called away in the deep of night, Doctor. It was a boy, I hope?’ When Judge Dee nodded he went on, ‘I am glad to hear that, for the parents. I remember how glad I was when my first turned out to be a boy.’ He scratched his nose, a habit copied from his captain. ‘Well, the captain told me you planned to visit him first thing this morning, and ordered me to fetch you. Then we saw four gentlemen in the square-in black, this time, not in grey. All kinds of riff-raff are roaming the streets nowadays, so the captain thought we’d better provide an escort, sir. The captain wouldn’t like you to have an accident, you see.’
‘Thanks very much. Let’s be on our way. I have urgent business with the captain.’
Stepping out on the portico, he saw four men dressed in black robes in front of the Nine Clouds, talking to the portly host, who was looking even more dyspeptic than before. When they saw the judge appear they started to cross the street. But then Liu and his men came marching out of the door and they quickly went back.
The judge and Liu found Captain Siew eating a large bowl of
noodles with gusto. He laid down his chopsticks and made to get up, but Judge Dee said quickly:
‘Stay where you are! I am in a great hurry. First, many thanks for the timely escort. Second, I want you to have the yellow Imperial standard hoisted here in front of your office.’ He took the yellow paper from his sleeve and smoothed it out on the desk.
The captain took in the contents at a glance. He nearly overturned his chair in his hurry to get up. ‘This, sir … I mean, Excellency, I …’
‘Give the necessary orders at once, Captain. Let the incomparable Liu here bring me a flat-iron and a piece of the best yellow silk!’
Captain Siew and his assistant rushed outside. The hoisting of the yellow standard meant that a high official with personal orders from the Emperor was present. It implied that that section of the town would be cordoned off by guardsmen, and that the inhabitants must put up the shutters and stay inside.
The lieutenant came back first. Judge Dee took the flat-bottomed brass pan heaped with glowing coals by its long handle, and ironed the Imperial edict. When he had rolled the paper up in the yellow silk, Captain Siew came inside and reported that the standard had been hoisted and all prescribed measures taken.
‘Good. You will ride at once to the palace, Siew, show the Imperial Words to your colonel, and go together with him to the Superintendent. Tell them that the Imperial Inquisitor orders both of them to repair to this office at once, and with the minimum retinue, to be received in audience in the court hall downstairs. I would like to summon the Chief Eunuch too, but the palace rules forbid him to leave his post under any circumstances. Tell them that I order the utmost secrecy, and you will see to it personally that neither the colonel nor the Su
perintendent destroy, or order to be destroyed, any papers or notes in their respective offices. You shall add that the Inquisitor is concerned about the illness of the Lady Hydrangea, and that he trusts that the palace doctors have effected a complete cure. Return my identity paper to me!’
After the captain had unlocked his drawer and handed the document to the judge with a bow, the latter resumed: ‘We’d better do everything in the proper way. You’ll order the Superintendent to supply you with a Censor’s cap, and the yellow stole. I’ll dispense with the robes. Bring cap and stole in to me before you admit my visitors to the court hall. Hurry up, we have a busy morning before us!’
Captain Siew was so perplexed by all these unexpected happenings that he couldn’t formulate even one of all the questions that came to his lips. Making a bubbling noise, he accepted the yellow roll respectfully in both hands and rushed out. Judge Dee told the lieutenant who was standing stiffly at attention:
‘First of all I want you to get me a bowl of those nice noodles, Liu!’
After the judge had enjoyed a leisurely breakfast seated at the captain’s desk, he told Liu to take him to the court hall downstairs.
The court was not as large as an ordinary civilian tribunal, but on the platform at the back stood the usual high bench covered with a scarlet cloth, and beside it a small desk for the military scribe. Against the wall behind the bench was a high table, bearing a bronze incense-burner. The stone-flagged floor was bare.
‘Take away the low desk, Liu, and place an armchair on the right and left of the bench. Bring me a large pot of hot tea!’
The judge sat down in the armchair behind the bench. When the lieutenant had brought a large tea-pot of blue and white porcelain and had poured a cup, the judge ordered him to wait outside. He was to see to it that no one entered the hall except the Superintendent, the colonel and Captain Siew. Then Judge Dee leaned back in his chair and, slowly caressing his sidewhiskers, surveyed the empty hall. It reminded him of his own court hall in the tribunal of Poo-yang. If everything went well, he could be back there in a day or two.
After Judge Dee had emptied several cups of tea, Captain Siew came and handed the yellow roll to him. The judge rose, lit the incense in the bronze burner, and laid the yellow roll in front of it, the place of honour reserved for Imperial edicts. The captain opened the bundle wrapped up in red silk. Judge Dee exchanged his skull-cap for the high winged cap of black velvet, braided with gold, the front decorated with the golden insignia of his present exalted rank. After he had draped the broad yellow stole round his shoulders, he resumed his seat and told the captain the audience could begin.
The double-doors were thrown open, and the Superintendent strode inside, magnificent in his wide ceremonial robe of violet brocade, embroidered in gold, and wearing a high, three-layered cap on his head. He was followed by the colonel, resplendent in his gilt coat of mail with the beautifully chiselled breast- and shoulder-plates. Both made a low bow, the long coloured plumes on the colonel’s golden helmet sweeping the floor. Then they advanced to the front of the bench, and knelt on the stone floor.
‘You may rise,’ Judge Dee told them curtly. ‘This is a quite informal audience. You are allowed, therefore, to take those armchairs at the bench. The captain shall stand by the door and see to it that we are not disturbed.’
His two guests seated themselves stiffly. Colonel Kang laid his broadsword across his knees. Judge Dee slowly emptied his teacup, then he sat up straight and spoke:
‘His Imperial Majesty has deigned to charge me with the investigation of some irregularities that have recently occurred in the Water Palace-irregularities culminating in the disappearance of an Imperial Treasure, the pearl necklace belonging to Her Imperial Highness the Third Princess. You two and the Chief Eunuch, being the three highest officials in the Water Palace, are held responsible. I need not, I trust, remind you of the extreme gravity of the situation.’ The two men bowed.
‘I have now completed my investigation and we shall presently proceed to the palace where I shall order the Chief Eunuch to request an audience with Her Imperial Highness, so as to enable me to present my report. However, it so happens that the theft of the necklace is narrowly linked with another atrocious crime committed here in Rivertown. In order to clarify the complex situation, I want first to dispose of that murder case in your presence.’ Rising he added, ‘I invite you to accompany me to the inn of the Kingfisher.’
Chapter 19
In the empty street two colossal, brocade-curtained palankeens stood waiting, each manned by a dozen bearers. In front of them, and behind, platoons of guardsmen had taken up position, armed to the teeth and holding their long halberds high.
Judge Dee entered the Superintendent’s palankeen and motioned him to step inside too. Not one word was said during the short journey to the Kingfisher.
Mr Wei stood in the hall together with a dozen or so guests. They were eagerly discussing who could be the high Imperial official visiting Rivertown. The judge noticed among them a thin, rather handsome girl, quietly dressed in a pearl-grey gown. By her side stood an elegant-looking youngster, wearing a black scholar’s cap. He had a moon-guitar under his arm, in a brocade cover. The judge surmised that this was the musical couple that occupied the room below his. He turned to Captain Siew, who had rushed ahead to the inn on foot together with his stolid lieutenant. ‘Clear the hall!’ Judge Dee ordered. ‘Have your men fetch three armchairs, and place them against the back wall’
The judge seated himself in the chair in the middle, and motioned the Superintendent and Colonel Kang to take the chairs on his right and left. Then he told the captain: ‘Lead the innkeeper Wei Cheng before me!’
Two guardsmen led the innkeeper inside. He gaped at the three high officials in astonishment. The soldiers pressed him down on his knees.
‘Two weeks ago,’ the judge informed his companions, ‘this man reported that his wife had absconded with a secret lover.’
The Superintendent tugged angrily at his grey goatee.
‘Are you quite sure, Excellency, that this sordid affair of a lowly innkeeper really does concern us, the highest …’
‘Quite sure,’ Judge Dee interrupted. He addressed Wei harshly:
‘You are a miser, Wei. In itself that is not a crime. But it may lead to a crime. In your case, it led to a heinous murder. You can’t bear to part with your money, Wei, nor could you bear to part with your wife. You didn’t love her, but she was your property, and you were not going to let others take your property away from you. You thought that your cashier Tai Min was making eyes at her.’ He pointed at the lattice screen. ‘Sitting there at your desk, Wei, you kept a close watch on your wife and your cashier, and you eavesdropped on their talks, here by the counter. When you discovered that Tai Min had marked a route on the map kept in the drawer there, you concluded that he was planning to elope with your wife. I think your conclusion was wrong, but I can’t prove that, for the cashier is dead. And so is your wife. For two weeks ago you murdered her.’
The innkeeper raised his haggard face.
‘It isn’t true!’ he shouted. ‘The vile creature left me, I swear it! She …’
‘Don’t make any more mistakes, Wei!’ the judge barked. ‘You have made two already, and those suffice to take you to the scaffold. You’ll be beheaded, because you killed your wife without a shred of evidence that she had committed adultery. Your first mistake was that you nagged at your wife so persistently about spending too much money on herself that she often accepted sweetmeats from your colleague in the Nine Clouds. He had given her a few the same evening you murdered her. Your second mistake was that you didn’t destroy all her clothes. Here again it was your grasping mind that caused the mistake. Instead of burning her clothes, you kept them to be sold to a pawnbroker. But no eloping woman will leave without some of her best robes, and certainly not without taking her favourite red jacket, which she knew suited her so well.’ The judge got up. ‘I shall now take you to the storero
om behind this inn, gentlemen. Captain, let your men seize the accused and follow me with the lieutenant.’
Judge Dee walked through the innkeeper’s office and crossed the backyard. The hens in the chicken-run began to cackle excitedly, frightened by so many persons in shining garb appearing among the scrawny trees and tall weeds.
The judge went into the musty storehouse. He pushed a few broken, chairs out of his way and stepped up to the pile of hemp sacks he had rested on the evening before. The ants that had been bothering him then were still there. They came crawling in droves out of a cracked tile in the floor, and marched in a regular army formation across the sacks to disappear into a small hole in the brick wall where a fragment of cement had dropped out. Judge Dee righted himself and turned round.
The Superintendent had folded his arms in the capacious sleeves of his gorgeous robe. His arrogant expression clearly indicated that he thoroughly disapproved of the proceedings, but resignedly submitted to superior authority. Colonel Kang darted a questioning glance at Captain Siew, who raised his eyebrows and looked at the lieutenant. But Liu’s eyes were riveted on Judge Dee. Wei was standing between two guardsmen, at the door. His eyes were on the floor. The judge pointed at the wall above the sacks and said:
‘Someone tampered with this section of the wall. In an amateurish manner. Fetch me a hammer and a crowbar from the kitchen, Liu!’ Pensively smoothing his beard, he reflected that the new white cement among the bricks had escaped him the previous night, in the bad light. He stared down at the empty bag he had stumbled over. Evidently it had contained chalk. As to the terrible nightmare he had when sleeping there… . Doubtfully he shook his head.
As soon as Liu had loosened a few bricks, a nauseating stench filled the room. The Superintendent stepped back quickly, covering his nose and mouth with his sleeve. Then the lieutenant brought his weight to bear on the crowbar, and a mass of bricks came crashing to the floor. The innkeeper swung round to the door, but the guardsmen grabbed his arms.
Necklace And Calabash Page 13