Robert Gulik - The Chinese Maze Murders

I am convinced that at this point one leaves the regular path of the maze, and enters a secret short cut that leads to the hidden pavilion, located not on the real path, but somewhere in between its curves." Tao Gan nodded his agreement.

"What a perfect hiding place!", he exclaimed. "It is safer than any stronghold! If one does not know the key to the secret short cut, one could explore the maze for weeks on end and never find the pavilion. But the Governor and everyone who knew the secret could reach it probably in a few minutes!"

"Yes", Judge Dee said, "your last point is very important. The Governor would not like to walk for half an hour or so along the winding path of the maze every time he went inside. This consideration suggested to me the existence of a secret short cut.

Let us now follow the route indicated on this picture!" The judge pointed with his forefinger to the small house on top of the mountain, with one pine tree on either side. "Here", he said, "is the entrance of the maze. We descend those steps hacked out in the rock, and follow the path downward. The first fork has no meaning, it does not matter whether one turns right or left. Coming to the second fork, three pine trees along the side of the path indicate that we must keep to the left.

Then we arrive at the river. This is the point where we leave the regular path of the maze. The entrance to the secret short cut is marked by four pine trees; I presume that in the maze we shall find the entrance between the second and third tree, right in the middle, just as the river in this picture.

Somewhere along this secret path we shall find five pine trees in two groups of two and three. The Governor's hidden pavilion must be located there!"

As he spoke the judge placed his forefinger on the large house on top right of the picture. He went back to his desk and sat down.

"If I am not greatly mistaken", Judge Dee concluded, "we shall find in that pavilion a safe or an iron chest with the Governor's confidential papers, including his testament!"

"Well", Ma Joong said, "it is all a little beyond me, but I am all for a try! However, there still is our third case, the disappearance of White Orchid!"

Judge Dee's face clouded. As he sipped his tea he said slowly:

"That is a most distressing case! We have not yet come one step nearer to finding that girl. I regret this all the more because I have taken a liking to our headman. He is that type of honest, decent tradesman, a class our country is justly proud of…"

The judge wearily passed his hand over his forehead. Then he continued:

"After dinner tonight we shall consult here together about ways and means for locating that girl. With our other cases disposed of we shall be able to concentrate on this last riddle.

Let us now go out to the country house and verify whether my theory about the secret short cut through the maze is correct. If we find the Governor's will, I can forward it to the higher authorities appended to my official report on Yoo Kee's treason. The Board of Finance will then have to except Yoo Shan's part when they declare the Yoo property confiscated.

Chiao Tai, you will need all the afternoon for organizing the defence of the town, in case the barbarians attack tonight. But you, Sergeant, shall accompany me with Ma Joong and Tao Gan!"

An hour later the country estate of the old Governor presented a scene of great activity.

Constables of the tribunal were everywhere. Some were clearing the garden path, others were making an inventory of the old furniture inside the mansion, others again were exploring the back garden.

Judge Dee was standing in the paved courtyard in front of the stone gate giving access to the maze. He was issuing his final instructions to Sergeant Hoong, Ma Joong and Tao Gan. Twenty constables were gathered around them.

"I don't know", Judge Dee said, "how long the road will prove to be. I assume that it will be relatively short, but we cannot be sure. As we walk along one constable will detach himself from our group every twenty feet or so. He will remain standing there so that he can shout to the man in front and behind. I would not like to get lost in this maze!"

Turning to Ma Joong the judge added:

"You will walk ahead with your spear. I don't believe all those stories about mantraps in this maze, but the place has been growing wild for years, and dangerous animals may have made their lairs here. Let everybody be careful!"

Then they passed underneath the stone archway and entered the maze.

In the dim tunnel they were met by the dank smell of rotting leaves. The path was narrow but two men could easily walk abreast. On both sides closely planted trees and overgrown boulders formed an impenetrable wall. The trees were of all kinds, but not one single pine tree was in sight. The branches met overhead, linked together by thick clusters of vine that often hung so low that Judge Dee and Ma Joong had to stoop in order to pass underneath. The tree trunks were covered with extraordinarily large fungi. Ma Joong hit one with his spear. An evil-smelling cloud of white dust burst from it.

"Be careful, Ma Joong!", the judge warned him. "Those things may be poisonous!"

At the first left turn the judge halted. He pointed with a contented smile at three gnarled pine trees standing close together right in the curve.

"That is our first landmark!", he observed.

"Look out, Your Honour!" Ma Joong shouted.

Judge Dee quickly jumped aside.

A spider as large as a man's hand dropped to the ground with a dull thud. Its hairy body was spotted yellow, its eyes shone with an evil green light.

Ma Joong crushed it with the butt of his spear.

Judge Dee drew his neckcloth tight.

"I would not like to have one of those fall on my neck!", he observed dryly. Then he walked on.

The path seemed to double back. After twenty feet or so it made a sharp right turn.

"Halt!", Judge Dee called out to Ma Joong. "There is our next landmark!"

Alongside the path, four pine trees stood in a row.

"Here", Judge Dee said, "we must leave the regular path and enter the secret short cut. Explore the space between the second and third pine tree!"

Ma Joong poked with his spear among the thick undergrowth. Suddenly he jumped, pushing the judge unceremoniously back.

A red adder of about two feet long crept over the rotting leaves and disappeared with amazing quickness in a hole under the tree.

"A hospitable place!", Ma Joong growled. "That reptile was not included in the landscape picture!"

"That is why I told you to put on your thick hunting leggings!", Judge Dee remarked. "Have a good look!"

Ma Joong squatted and peered under the branches. As he straightened himself he said:

"Yes, there is a path here. But it is so narrow that a man can hardly pass. I shall go first and push the overhanging branches apart!"

He disappeared among the dense foliage. Judge Dee drew his robes tight about him and followed with Sergeant Hoong and Tao Gan walking behind him. The constables looked doubtfully at Headman Fang. Drawing his short sword he called out to his men:

"Don't hesitate! If there are any wild animals we shall take care of them!"

The passage proved only a few fathoms long. After a brief struggle with the thorny branches they came out on the main path again.

On left and right there was a sharp curve. Judge Dee first turned left. He saw a long, straight stretch ahead.

He shook his head.

"It must be the opposite direction", he said. "I don't think that a short cut would include such a long straight section of the path."

He turned back to the spot where they had come out on the path. When they had rounded the corner they found themselves in a short passage.