The Emperor's Pearl

The sergeant fell silent. He pensively fingered his thin grey moustache, then went on:

'When explaining your first theory, sir, you mentioned the possibility that Tong was murdered for a reason un­connected with the sale of the pearl. Now I remember that Tao Gan once told me that, although during the dragonboat races the betting of the common people involves only trifling amounts, wealthy traders and shopkeepers often bet con­siderable sums amongst each other. Tao Gan added that crooks sometimes practise all kinds of fraud and trickery with those large bets. Now it was generally assumed that Dr Pien's boat would win the race. If a crook knew before­hand that the drummer of Pien's boat would meet with an accident, he could make a small fortune by cornering bets. Perhaps it was such a crook who poisoned Tong Mai.'

'Yes,' Judge Dee said approvingly, 'that's another possi­bility we'll have to look into.'

There was a knock on the door. The headman entered and greeted the judge. He placed a soiled envelope on the desk and said:

'When I was searching the attic of those two students, Your Honour, I found this envelope in Sia's clothes-box. Tong's box contained only a collection of worn-out clothes. Not a scrap of paper!'

'All right, headman, you may go.'

The judge tore the envelope open and took from it three folded pieces of paper. The first was a diploma from the Classical School stating that Sia Kwang had successfully passed his first examination, the second his permit to reside in Poo-yang. As the judge unfolded the third, he raised his eyebrows. He carefully smoothed the paper out on the desk. Pulling the candle closer he said: 'Look what we have got here, Hoong!'

The sergeant saw that it was a rough map of the area south of the city. Pointing with his finger, Judge Dee observed:

'Here we have the Mandrake Grove, and this rectangle here is the old Tong mansion. Only the east pavilion is marked on it. So Sia was also connected in some way or other with the sale of the pearl! Heavens, we must get hold of that fellow! And as soon as possible!'

'He's probably hanging about somewhere downtown, Your Honour. Our old friend Sheng Pa, the former self-styled boss of the underworld, will doubtless know where to find him!'

'Yes, we might ask him. Since I appointed him Head of the Beggars' Guild, Sheng Pa has shown himself very co­operative.'

'Unfortunately he is rather an elusive person, Your Honour. The only time he is sure to be home is late at night. For then the beggars assemble there to pay him his share of their earnings. I'd better go and see him right now, sir!'

'Out of the question! You must be dead tired. You go to bed, Hoong, that's where you go!'

'It'll mean a delay of one whole day, sir! Besides, I get along quite well with Sheng Pa; I have come to know the sly old devil's funny little ways. I think he likes me too — although he doesn't think much of your other three lieuten­ants. He once told me confidentially that he considers my friends Ma Joong and Chiao Tai a pair of vulgar bullies, and Tao Gan a mean crook!'

'That's a good one, coming from Sheng Pa!' the judge said with a smile. 'Well, if you insist, all right then. But go there in an official palankeen, and take four constables with you. Sheng Pa is living in an unsavoury neighbourhood.'

After Sergeant Hoong had left, Judge Dee drank another cup of tea. He was much more worried about the course of events than he had let it appear to his old adviser. The mur­der of a poor student had suddenly developed into a case of national importance, concerning a theft from the Imperial House. He would have to obtain quick results, for he could not postpone for long reporting to the higher authorities the news about the Emperor's pearl. Yet he had to tread warily. He heaved a deep sigh and rose. Deep in thought, he walked across the central courtyard to his own residence, in the back of the tribunal compound.

He had assumed that his wives would have gone to bed long before, and was planning to pass the night on the couch in his library. But, when the steward had opened the front door and was leading him inside, he heard peals of laughter coming from the brilliantly lit women's quarters. Seeing his master's astonished face, the greybeard explained quickly:

'The First Lady of General Bao and of the Hon'ble Wan, the retired judge, called earlier in the evening, sir. The ladies made together the customary offerings to the Queen of Heaven, then the First Lady invited them to stay for a game of cards. The First Lady instructed me to apprise her at once of Your Honour's return, so that she could dismiss her guests and attend upon Your Honour.'

'Just tell her to come to the ante-room for a moment.'

When his First Lady entered the small room, the judge noticed with pleasure how handsome she was looking in her favourite robe of violet brocade, embroidered with golden flowers. After she had made her bow she asked anxiously: