Robert Gulik: The Chinese Maze Murders

Judge Dee rummaged through the documents but he could find nothing else that had a bearing on the case

Yoo versus Yoo. Neither did he find any material that might be used against Chien.

The judge replaced the documents in the box. He remained sitting in deep thought for a long time. He pondered ways and means to oust the tyrant Chien, but time and again his thoughts reverted to the old governor and his curious bequest.

One candle spluttered and went out. With a sigh Judge Dee took up the other one and walked to his own quarters.

The next morning Judge Dee found to his dismay that he was late. He had a hurried breakfast and then went immediately to his private office.

He saw that the room had been thoroughly cleaned. His armchair had been repaired and the desk polished. On its top all Judge Dee's favourite writing implements had been laid out with a care in which the judge recognized the hand of Sergeant Hoong.

The judge found the sergeant in the archives room. Together with Tao Gan he had swept and aired the dank place; now it smelled pleasantly of the wax they had used for polishing the red leather document boxes.

Judge Dee nodded contentedly. As he sat down behind his desk he ordered Tao Gan to fetch Ma Joong and Chiao Tai.

When all his four lieutenants were assembled before him the judge first inquired how Sergeant Hoong and Ma Joong were doing. Both said that they were none the worse for the fight of the night before. The sergeant had replaced the bandage on his head by a plaster of oil paper and Ma Joong could move his left arm again although it was still somewhat stiff.

Ma Joong reported that early that morning he and Chiao Tai had inspected the armoury of the tribunal. They had found a good collection of pikes, halberds, swords, helmets and leather jackets, but everything was old and dirty and needed a thorough polishing.

Judge Dee said slowly:

"Fang's story offers a plausible explanation for the strange situation here. If all he said is true we must act quickly before Chien has found out that I am going to turn against him and steals the first move. We must attack before he knows what is happening. As our old proverb says: 'A dangerous dog bites without first baring its teeth'!" "What shall we do with that warden?", Sergeant Hoong inquired.

"For the time being we shall leave him where he is", the judge replied. "It was a lucky inspiration that made me lock up that rascal. Evidently he is one of Chien's men. He would have run immediately to his master to tell him all about us."

Ma Joong opened his mouth to ask something but Judge Dee raised his hand. He continued:

"Tao Gan, you will now go out and collect all information you can get about Chien and his men. At the same time you will make inquiries about a wealthy citizen called Yoo Kee. He is the son of the famous Governor Yoo Shou-chien who about eight years ago died here in Lan-fang.

I myself shall now go out with Ma Joong to obtain a general impression of this town. Sergeant Hoong shall supervise affairs here in the tribunal together with Chiao Tai. The gates shall remain locked and no one is to leave or enter during my absence except for my house steward. He will go out alone to buy food.

Let us meet here again at noon!"

The judge rose and put on a small black cap. In his simple blue robe he looked like a scholarly gentleman of leisure.

He left the tribunal with Ma Joong walking by his side.

First they strolled south and had a look at the famous pagoda of Lan-fang. It stood on a small island in the middle of a lotus lake. The willow trees along its banks were waving in the morning breeze. Then they walked north and mingled with the crowd.

There was the usual coming and going of an early morning and the shops along the main street did a fair amount of business. But one heard little laughter and people often talked in a low voice, quickly looking right and left before they spoke.

When they had reached the double arch north of the tribunal Judge Dee and Ma Joong turned left and strolled to the market place in front of the Drum Tower. This market presented an interesting scene. Vendors from over the border clad in quaint gaudy costumes praised their wares in raucous voices, and here and there an Indian monk lifted up his almsbowl.

A group of idlers had gathered round a fish dealer who was having a violent quarrel with a neatly dressed young man. The latter apparently was being overcharged. Finally he threw a handful of coppers into the fishmonger's basket, shouting angrily:

"If this were a decently administered town you would not dare thus to deceive people in broad daylight!"

Suddenly a broad-shouldered man stepped forward. He jerked the young man round and hit him in his mouth.

"That will teach you to slander the Honourable Chien!", he growled.

Ma Joong was going to intervene but the judge laid a restraining hand on his arm.

The spectators hurriedly dispersed. The young man did not say a word. He wiped the blood from his mouth and went his way.

Judge Dee gave Ma Joong a sign. Together they followed the young man.

When he had entered a quiet side alley, the judge overtook him. He said:

"Excuse my intrusion. I happened to see that ruffian maltreat you. Why don't you report him to the tribunal?"

The young man stood still. He gave Judge Dee and his stalwart companion a suspicious look.

"If you are agents of Chien," he said coldly, "you can wait long before I incriminate myself!"

Judge Dee looked up and down the alley. They were alone.

"You are greatly mistaken, young man", he said quietly, "I am Dee Jen-djieh, the new magistrate of this district."

The young man's face turned ashen, he looked as if he had seen a ghost. Then he passed his hand over his forehead and mastered his emotion. He heaved a deep sigh and his face lit up in a broad smile. He bowed deeply saying respectfully:

"This person is the Junior Candidate Ding, the son of General Ding Hoo-gwo, from the capital. Your Honour's name is quite familiar to me. At long last this district has got a real magistrate!"

The judge inclined his head slightly to acknowledge the compliment.

He vaguely remembered that many years ago something untoward had happened to General Ding. He had fought a victorious battle against the barbarians across the northern border. But when he had returned to the capital the general had been unexpectedly compelled to resign. Judge Dee wondered how the general's son came to be in this distant place. He said to the young man:

"There is something very wrong in this town. I would like you to tell me more about the situation here."

Candidate Ding did not answer immediately. He remained in thought for a few moments. Then he spoke:

"These things had better not be discussed in public. Might I have the honour of offering the gentlemen a cup of tea?"

Judge Dee assented. They went to the tea house on the corner of the alley and sat down at a table somewhat apart from the other guests.

When the waiter had brought the tea young Ding said in a whisper:

"A ruthless man called Chien Mow has all the power in his hands. There is nobody here who dares to oppose him. Chien keeps about one hundred ruffians in his mansion. They have nothing to do but loaf about this town and intimidate the people."

"How are they armed?", Ma Joong asked.

"Out in the street these rascals have only clubs and swords with them, but I would not be astonished if in Chien's mansion they kept quite an arsenal."

Judge Dee asked:

"Do you often see barbarians from over the border in this town?"

Candidate Ding shook his head emphatically.