Robert Gulik - The Chinese Maze Murders

First Yoo Kee was led before the dais.

As he knelt on the flagstones in front of the bench, the senior scribe placed a document in front of the judge. Judge Dee drew the candle nearer and read slowly in a solemn voice:

"The criminal Yoo Kee is guilty of high treason. He should properly be submitted to the lingering death, being cut to pieces alive. In view of the fact that the criminal's father, His Excellency Yoo Shou-chien, has merited greatly of the State and the people, and in view of the fact that he has entered a posthumous plea for mercy for his son, this sentence is mitigated in so far that the said criminal shall first be killed and thereafter dismembered. In deference again to the memory of the late Governor Yoo, the criminal's head shall not be exposed on the city gate and his property shall not be confiscated."

Judge Dee paused and handed a paper to the headman.

"The criminal is allowed to read his late father's plea" he announced.

Headman Fang gave the paper to Yoo Kee who had been listening with an impassive face. When he had read this pathetic document, however, Yoo Kee burst out into heartbreaking sobs.

Two constables bound Yoo Kee's hands behind his back. Headman Fang took a long white board that had been prepared in advance and stuck it between the ropes on Yoo Kee's back. There his personal name Kee, his crime and his punishment were written out in large characters. The family name Yoo was omitted, in deference to the old Governor.

When Yoo Kee had been led away Judge Dee spoke:

"The Imperial Government announce that the Khan of the Uigurs has sent a special delegation to the capital headed by his eldest son, to offer apologies for the outrageous scheme evolved by Prince Ooljin, and begging to be allowed to renew his pledge of allegiance to the Throne. The Imperial Government have graciously accepted the apologies, and have handed over the said Ooljin and his four accomplices to the delegation, leaving it to the Khan to take appropriate action."

Ma Joong whispered to Chiao Tai:

"Translated into ordinary language 'appropriate action' means that the Khan will flay Ooljin alive, boil him in oil and cut what is left into small pieces! The Khan does not take kindly to people who bungle his schemes!"

"The Khan's son", the judge continued, "has been invited to prolong his stay in the capital as an honoured guest of the Imperial Government."

The spectators started cheering. They knew that with his eldest son kept as hostage in the capital, the Khan would abide by his promises.

"Silence!" shouted the judge.

He gave a sign to the headman. Mrs. Yoo and her son Yoo Shan were led before the dais.

"Madam", Judge Dee said kindly, "you have taken cognizance already of the late Governor's original testament that was dicovered in his hidden studio in the heart of the maze. You shall now take full possession of all the property, also in the name of your son Yoo Shan. I am certain that under your guidance he shall grow up as the image of his illustrious father, and as a man worthy of the great name of Yoo!"

Mrs. Yoo and her son knocked their heads on the floor several times in succession to express their gratitude.

When they had stood back the senior scribe placed another document before the judge.

"I shall now read", Judge Dee spoke, "the official verdict on the case of General Ding!"

Caressing his whiskers he read out slowly:

„The Metropolitan Court has taken due notice of the facts pertaining to the death of General Ding Hoo-gwo. In the Court's opinion the fact that a certain name was found engraved on the writing brush which concealed the deadly weapon does not in itself provide conclusive proof that it was that same person who transformed the said writing brush into an instrument of death, nor that as such it was necessarily destined to kill the General. Accordingly the Court rules that General Ding's demise shall be entered into the records as death by accident."

"That is a neat example of jurisprudence!", Sergeant Hoong whispered into Judge Dee's ear as he rolled up the document.

The judge nodded imperceptibly and replied in a low voice:

"They evidently wanted to keep the Governor's name out of this!"

Then he took up his vermilion brush and filled out a slip for the warden of the jail.

Mrs. Lee was brought in by two constables.

During the period of waiting in jail, the horror of impending death had slowly taken possession of her. She had completely lost the attitude of self-glorification which she had displayed when confessing her hideous crimes. Her face was haggard, she looked with wide eyes at the scarlet pelerin on Judge Dee's shoulders and at the huge man who stood by the side of the dais with impassive face. He carried a naked sword over his shoulder, his two assistants stood behind him with knives, saws and coils of rope. As Mrs. Lee realized that those were the executioner and his helpers she tottered on her feet. Two constables had to assist her kneeling down in front of the dais.

Judge Dee read:

"The criminal Lee née Hwang is guilty of kidnapping girls for immoral purposes and premeditated murder. She shall be scourged and then executed by decapitation. The state renounces its claim on the said criminal's property which shall be conferred on the victim's family in lieu of blood money. The criminal's head shall be exposed on the city gate for three days, as a warning example."

Mrs. Lee started to scream. A constable gagged her with a strip of oilpaper while two others bound her hands behind her back. Finally they stuck the placard stating her name, her crime, and her punishment among the ropes.

When Mrs. Lee had been led away the crowd of spectators prepared to leave the courtroom. Judge Dee hit his gavel on the bench and shouted for order.

"I shall now read", he announced, "the names of the temporary personnel of this tribunal."

He read out the names of Headman Fang and of the former outlaws whom he had engaged as constables and guards on the second day after his arrival in Lan-fang. They stood at attention facing the judge.

Judge Dee leaned back in his chair. Stroking his beard he thoughtfully surveyed the men who had faithfully served him during the critical days that lay behind. Then he spoke:

"Headman, you and the men under you were engaged under an emergency, but you have loyally served the tribunal. Since conditions have now returned to normal, I release you of your duties, with the understanding that those among you who wish to enter permanent service shall be welcome to do so."

"All of us", Headman Fang replied respectfully, "owe a debt of gratitude to Your Honour, and I myself more than anyone else. I would beg Your Honour to continue to employ me in my present position, were it not that I owe it to my daughter to leave a city where she is constantly reminded of the tragedy that struck our family.

"Candidate Woo Feng has offered me the position of chief steward in the mansion of one of his father's friends in the capital. I feel all the more inclined to accept that generous offer since I have learned through an intermediary that Candidate Woo intends to marry my second daughter Dark Orchid as soon as he has passed his second literary examination."

"What black ingratitude of the girl!", Ma Joong muttered indignantly to Chiao Tai. "I saved her life! And what is more, I saw her as only her husband ought to see her!"

"Shut up!", Chiao Tai whispered, "you had a nice view of the wench, that is sufficient reward!"

"I beg to be allowed", the headman continued, "to leave my only son here in Lan-fang. For nowhere in the Empire could he find such a master to serve as Your Honour. I beg Your Honour to accept him, despite his slender capacities, in the permanent service of the tribunal."

Judge Dee had been listening gravely. Now he spoke: