‘A pretty strange request… Right, if that’s what you need, I’ll do it!’
The cash convinced the driver to play along, and he at once turned out the car’s headlights, then quietly moved the vehicle as directed.
Akechi, still in his factory worker’s clothes, used both hands to pick up a rock from the roadside, and scrambled down to the riverside.
‘Help! Someone, help!’
Suddenly, the driver’s scream came, sounding as if he was in deadly fear of his life.
And just at the same time, there was a loud splash as if something heavy had fallen into the canal. Akechi had thrown in the rock, but a listener would surely think that someone had dived in.
As expected, the oilpaper window on the boat opened, and a face peered out. The headlights suddenly went on, catching the person full in the face. The detective got a good look at the face even as it suddenly pulled back – it was the Black Lizard! The Black Lizard, in the form of the shopkeeper!
She could not see Akechi at all, of course. It was clear that she had not noticed them tailing her, or else she would never have stuck her head out the window.
Surprised at the disturbance, the hired labourers rattled open the windows and popped out onto the deck.
‘What was that?’
‘Probably another fight. Didn’t someone fall in?’
‘I heard something fall into the canal!’
By then, the taxi driver had already changed direction, and had driven half a block away.
Akechi ran along the riverbank to the public telephone at the foot of the bridge.
The enemy was planning on utilizing the waterway! There was no telling how far the pursuit might continue, and he had to let his comrades know what was up!
Before light the next morning, a steamer with a deadweight of less than two hundred tonnes set out from Osaka’s Kawaguchi port. Thanks to the absence of any wind-swell, sailing conditions were excellent and the small vessel flew over the sea’s mill-pond surface with surprising swiftness, arriving off the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula by the afternoon. However, instead of making for a harbour or toward Kii Bay, she moved straight into the Pacific Ocean bound for the Enshū Sea (off the coast of Shizuoka Prefecture). Despite her diminutive size, the daring vessel was plotting a course more likely to be taken by a large trans-Pacific liner.
From the outside, she seemed to be an ordinary scruffy freighter. Inside, though, there were no cargo holds. Underneath the hatches, the drabness of the exterior gave way to an array of amazingly luxurious cabins. Although made to look like a freighter, she was actually a passenger vessel – or rather a luxury residence.
The spacious and well-appointed cabin located near the aft was particularly impressive. It would surely be the living quarters of the ship’s master.
A costly Persian rug covered the floor and hanging from the pure white ceiling was a chandelier so exquisite you would not imagine you were aboard a ship. In addition, there was an ornate wardrobe, a round table with a tablecloth, a sofa, and a few armchairs.
However, the harmony was spoilt by a sofa in the corner whose clashing pattern made it stand out.
But wait! Have we not seen this sofa somewhere before? Aha! See the mark where a rent has been darned? It must be that sofa. The one that was borne off from Iwase’s drawing room three days previously after Sanae had been shoved inside. But why would it be on board this ship?
And given that the sofa is on the vessel, could it be that… But there can be no doubt. For so absorbed have we been with the sofa that we have overlooked the person sitting on it. How could we forget this sombre beauty? Lustrous are the black silk Western clothes through which her ample form shows and sparkling the jewels in her ears, at her breast, and on her fingers. The Black Lizard! The lady thief who twenty-four hours ago had hidden behind the oil-paper shōji on a large old-style wooden boat, unaware that she was being tailed by Akechi.
Overnight, the wooden vessel concealing the lady thief had rowed down the Edagawa and Ōgawa rivers to Kawaguchi, where the Black Lizard had transferred to the steamer which was moored there for the night.
So what kind of vessel was this small steamer? If it was an ordinary trading ship, a female robber would not be lording it in the best cabin as if it was her own. Could it be, by any chance, that the Black Lizard is the vessel’s owner?
If so, that would explain the presence of the ‘human chair’. And if this is the ‘human chair’, then perhaps Sanae, who had been enclosed inside the sofa, is now being held captive somewhere on board.
However that may be, we must now adjust our gaze to take in the doorway of the cabin where another character stands.
If this was a normal trading vessel, the seaman’s cap with its gold braid insignia and the black-piped uniform buttoned up to the chin would suggest he might be the ship’s purser. But haven’t we seen this chap somewhere too? That squashy nose and sturdy frame make him look just like a boxer… Yes, it’s him – the criminal pugilist who disguised himself as Dr Yamakawa and kidnapped Sanae in Tokyo’s Keiō Hotel, the underling who pledged his life to the Black Lizard – Amamiya Jun’ichi, Jun-chan, in a new guise.
‘What? Don’t tell me you’re worried about it as well. You’re a grown man and yet you’re afraid of ghosts? Dear oh dear!’
A sardonic smile could be seen on the Black Lizard’s beautiful face as she reclined leisurely on the sofa.
‘I tell you, I’m getting the creeps.
There’s something strange going on.’
‘I tell you, I’m getting the creeps. There’s something strange going on. And everyone on board, every single one of them, is becoming superstitious. I bet you’d be frightened too if you heard that thing whispering away out of sight.’
There was fear in the ‘purser’s’ eyes as he swayed from side to side with the motion of the ship.
Inside the cabin, the chandelier shone brightly, but beyond the single metal plate forming the wall, night had fallen and all that could be seen was black water. Black sky. Although it was quiet, swells with mountainous peaks came sweeping in at intervals. And when they did, the small frail craft rocked helplessly in the infinite darkness like a fallen leaf.
‘What exactly has happened? Tell me the details. Who saw this ghost?’
‘Nobody has actually seen it. But Kitamura and Gōda say they definitely heard its voice at different times. So it’s not just one person – two people have heard the same voice.’
‘Where?’
‘In our “guest’s” cabin.’
‘Sanae’s cabin?’
‘That’s right. Today around lunch time, Kitamura heard somebody whispering in a low voice inside the cabin when he walked past the door. It was when you, me, and the rest were all in the dining room. Sanae was gagged so she couldn’t have said anything. Thinking it might be one of the crew playing a prank, he went to open the door but it was still locked on the outside. Kitamura says he thought something wasn’t right so he hurried to get the key and tried to open the door.’
‘So the little lady had taken off her gag, right? And then I suppose she probably started muttering curses.’
‘But the gag was still firmly in place. And the rope binding her hands didn’t appear particularly loose. Of course, there was nobody in the cabin apart from her. Kitamura says he shuddered when he realized that.’
‘Well, did he ask Sanae?’
‘Yes, he took off the gag to ask her, but she was terrified herself and said she didn’t know a thing.’
‘A peculiar story. I wonder if it’s true.’
‘I wondered too. Assuming that Kitamura’s ears had played a trick on him, I didn’t think any more of it. But strangely enough, just an hour ago, again when we were all in the dining room, Gōda heard the voice. He also says he went to get the key and opened the door. Just as in Kitamura’s ca
se, there was no sign of anyone else in the room and there was nothing unusual about Sanae’s gag. News of this second eerie happening spread among the crew pretty quickly and now it’s become one of those ghost stories that teachers are so good at telling.’
‘What are they saying?’
‘Well you know this lot have all got shady pasts. Two or three of them have even done time for murder. They can sense the spirit world. To tell you the truth, it even gives me the shivers to hear that a vengeful ghost is stalking this ship.’
Another big swell came through and the hull lifted higher and higher making a strange low sound, before finally sinking into the bottomless pit.
At that precise moment, perhaps due to generator trouble, the light in the chandelier turned a brownish red and began blinking dully as if sending some sort of signal.
‘What a horrid evening,’ Jun’ichi muttered, looking fearfully at the flickering light.
‘And you a grown man! What a cry-baby!’
The laughter from the woman in the black dress echoed eerily from the steel-plated hull.
Just then, as if in reply to the woman’s laugh, the door slid open and something white came in. It wore a white flat cap, a white button-up jacket, and a white apron. The fat face, which resembled that of a chubby good-luck god, looked anxious. This was the ship’s cook.
‘Oh, it’s you is it? What’s wrong with you? You gave me a fright.’
In response to Jun’ichi’s scolding, the cook began to quietly report what had happened with the utmost seriousness.
‘Something weird’s happened again. This ghost thing has been sneaking around in the galley. A whole chicken is missing.’
‘A chicken?’
Asked the woman in black dubiously.
‘Yeah, but it wasn’t alive or anything! There were seven plucked, boiled chickens hanging inside the pantry door. Exactly seven. I saw them there when I was preparing lunch. But when I looked a while ago, one was gone. There were only six birds.’
‘We didn’t have chicken at dinner did we?’
‘No, and that’s why it’s strange. Nobody on this boat is a big eater. There’s nobody who would steal something like that – unless we’re talking about a ghost.’
‘Are you sure you aren’t mistaken?’
‘No way! Actually, I’ve got a very sharp memory.’
‘This is strange now, isn’t it Jun-chan? Why don’t you all split up and search the ship. Maybe there is something on board.’
After the series of weird events, even the lady thief felt uneasy.
‘Yes, I was thinking that too. Whether it’s a spirit of the dead or the living, it must be something corporeal if it’s speaking and stealing food. If we do a thorough search we might be able to find out the identity of this ghost.’
The ‘purser’ then left the cabin to give instructions for the search of the vessel.
Suddenly remembering, the cook then said to his lady-chief, ‘Oh, and then there was a message from the pretty young miss.’
‘From Sanae, you mean?’
‘Yes, just a moment ago, when I took her meal in. I untied her hands and took off the gag and I don’t know what had changed today but she wolfed the whole lot down as if she was really enjoying it. Then she asked me not to tie her up, promising that she wouldn’t make a fuss and scream.’
‘She said that she would behave?’
The woman in black asked in surprise.
‘That’s what she says. According to her, she’s completely changed her mind. She’s very cheerful. You wouldn’t think she was the same young lady as yesterday, she’s altered so much.’
‘Mmm, how peculiar. Tell Kitamura to bring her here, would you.’
The cook left to do as ordered. A short while later, Sanae was led into the cabin by the crewman called Kitamura, who was holding her unbound hand.
Sanae looked terribly strained. The plain silk clothes she had been wearing when she was kidnapped were now all crumpled and creased. Loose strands from her dishevelled hair covered her pale brow and her cheeks were hollow. The bent temple-pieces of her eyeglasses made them hang awkwardly from her nose, which seemed slightly more prominent.
‘How do you feel Sanae? Don’t stand over there – come and sit beside me.’ The woman in black spoke gently, motioning with her finger to the sofa on which she sat.
‘Fine.’
Meekly doing as she was bid, Sanae advanced two or three steps. However, when she recognized the sofa on which the woman in black was sitting a look of fear came into her face and letting out a gasp as if she had seen a ghost she began to back up.
The ‘human chair.’ The terrifying memory of being stuffed inside that dreadful chair three days ago came vividly into her mind.
‘Oh, this thing is it? You’re afraid of the sofa? Well, I guess you’ve got reason to be. Why don’t you sit in that armchair over there?’
Sanae sat down in the armchair diffidently.
‘I’m sorry for having made such a commotion. From now on, I’ll do whatever you say. I apologize.’
Sanae whispered the apology with her head hung low.
‘Well, you’ve finally had a change of heart. That’s good. It’s to your advantage to quietly go along with things this way. Still, it seems a little strange that you were putting up such resistance until yesterday and suddenly you’re all meek and mild. Why? Is there some reason?’
‘No, not really…’
Darting a shrewd look at the drooping Sanae, the lady thief shifted to her next question.
‘Kitamura and Gōda say that they’ve heard voices in your cabin. Did somebody enter? Please tell me the truth.’
‘No, I haven’t noticed anything. I didn’t hear anything.’
‘Sanae, are you lying?’
‘No, I swear..’
The Black Lizard appeared to be considering something as she stared at Sanae. The eerie silence continued for a while.
Then Sanae shyly asked, ‘Um, this boat, where is it going?’
‘This boat?’
Starting from her meditative pause, the lady thief continued, ‘Let me tell you the boat’s destination. Presently, we are travelling across the Enshū Sea en route for Tokyo. I have my own private art museum in a secret location in the capital. Hee, hee, hee! And I’d like you to see it. To see what a wonderful museum it is… We’re speeding there like this so that I can display you and the Star of Egypt.
‘It would be quicker to go by train, but it would be too dangerous to transport live cargo like you over land. A ship might be a little slow, but it’s completely safe. And this ship, my dear, is mine. You see, your friendly little old Black Lizard has even got a steam-ship all ready for use. I expect that surprises you. Yes, you see I have the finances to be able to use a vessel like this as I please. When we can’t go by land, we use this boat. Without such a splendid tool, I can’t think how I could have stayed out of reach of the law for so long.’
‘But, I…’
Sanae glanced up at the woman in black stubbornly.
‘But what?’
‘I don’t want to go to such a place.’
‘Well I’m not expecting you to want to go there. You might not like it, but I’m going to take you.’
‘No, I will not go…’
‘Well, you seem to be very sure of yourself. You aren’t planning to try and escape from the ship, are you?’
‘I have faith. I believe that I will be saved. I’m not afraid in the least.’
The woman in black could not help but be a little startled at the confidence in Sanae’s voice.
‘Faith in who? Who is going to save you?’
‘Don’t you know?’
While hinting at some impenetrable enigma, Sanae’s voice also contained a conviction of puzzling strength. But whose power had conferred such str
ength into this fragile young lady?
What if… what if… The Black Lizard’s face gradually turned horribly pale.
‘Oh. I think I’ve got an idea. Let’s see shall we. Would it happen to be Akechi Kogorō?’
‘Well…’
Caught off guard, Sanae seemed a little flustered.
‘I’ve guessed it, haven’t I? The person who has been hiding in your room keeping your spirits up. Everyone says it’s a ghost, but a ghost wouldn’t be talking. It’s Akechi Kogorō, isn’t it? The private eye has promised to save you, hasn’t he?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘Don’t try to deceive me. All right, there’s nothing more I want to hear from you.’
Her face as dark as thunder, the woman in black stood straight up.
‘Kitamura, tie her up as before, gag her, and lock her in the cabin. I want you to lock the door from the inside and keep guard until I say it’s all right. Get yourself a pistol. I don’t care what happens – I won’t allow her to escape.’
‘As you say. I’ll obey your instructions.’
Once Kitamura had dragged Sanae off, the Black Lizard rushed out into the corridor where she bumped into the ‘purser’ who was just then returning after completing the search.
‘Oh, Jun-chan. I found out the true identity of the ghost – it’s Akechi. It seems that he’s lurking on the boat somewhere. I want you to search the ship again. Come on, hop to it!’
So another major search of the vessel took place. With flashlights waving, ten of the crew separately combed the decks, the aft, the engine-room, the ventilation shafts, and even the floor of the coal bunker. But they did not see anybody or find any clue.
The black-garbed leader returned to her cabin empty-handed, and slumped into the sofa, lost in contemplation as she tried to solve the strange riddle she had been presented.
The Black Lizard and Beast In the Shadows Page 11