The Willow Pattern

Hoo had followed Judge Dee's gaze.

'Yes, hunting is my one and only hobby,' he said. 'My great-grandfather used this villa as a hunting lodge, you know. At that time this crowded city quarter was a fine stretch of wooded country.'

'He was a great warrior, I heard,' the judge said.

A pleased grin lit up Hoo's broad face.

'That he was, my lord! Splendid horseman, and a good general. He and the greatgrandfathers of Yee and old Mei kept the peace in these parts, in the midst of a free-for-all among the barons and the feudal warlords. Yes, the times have changed, by Heaven! Yee owned the land, my great­grandfather controlled the army, and old Mei had the ready cash. When General Li — excuse me, the August Founder of the Present Dynasty, I should say, of course — when he had reunified the empire, the three old men held council. Histori­cal meeting, my lord, all written up in our family annals. My great-grandfather told them: "Let's call it a day, and cut our losses. Yee applies for a governorship in a distant pro­vince, I enlist with my men in the new Imperial army, and Mei sits back and collects his rents." Wise old bird, my ancestor was! But the old Marquis Yee, the stubborn bastard, he wouldn't listen, you see. "Better just lie low for a bit," he said. "Maybe we'll yet get a chance to come back." Fat chance they had! This place was made into the imperial capital, soon it was flooded by thousands of people from outside, court personnel, officials big and small, military, constabulary and what not, and now you have to look damned hard to find uptown a man who even knows the name of Yee!’

He sadly shook his large head.

'What about your own family?' the judge asked.

'We? Oh well, we sold out our land, bit by bit. Now I have only this villa left, and mortgaged to the hilt! But it'll last my time. I have neither chick nor child, and I manage all right. Do a bit of hunting up country, and I drop in on old Yee over there for a drink and a chat. Yee lost all his land, of course, but he is still a rich man. Gay dog, Yee is! Likes to have a couple of nice wenches around and I don't mind that a bit.'

'Quite. It seems that the Mei family was the only one of the three that succeeded in conserving its former assets.'

'The Meis were always damned clever at making money,' Hoo said bitterly. 'Sucked up to the new officials, became pally with the big merchants from the south. That's the way to become a millionaire. Which doesn't prevent you from falling down the stairs and breaking your neck, apparently!’

'Mr Mei's death was a great loss,' Judge Dee said dryly. 'You mentioned Yee's parties just now. Do you happen to know the young dancer he is having up there regularly these days?'

Hoo's face fell.

'Porphyry you mean, eh? So the news has got about already. Yes, I saw the wench there, once or twice. Fine dancer. Sings well, too.'

He did not seem inclined to pursue the subject farther, this time. The judge asked:

'Which brothel does she belong to?'

'Trust Yee to keep that secret, the sly scoundrel! Never let me talk to her or to her tout alone.'

'You mean the tall bully who always accompanies her?'

'Tall bully, you said? Hardly ever gave the chap a second look, but I wouldn't call him that. Elderly fellow, a bit high-shouldered. Damned good drummer, though.'

Judge Dee emptied his cup.

'There was some commotion over there in the Yee man­sion tonight,' he said casually. 'Did you notice anything? From the balcony here you have a good view of Yee's gallery.'

Hoo shook his head.

'I was asleep on that couch. When those blasted trumpets woke me up everything was pitch dark over there.'

'The dancer Porphyry was with Yee. There was an accident.'

His host sat up. Laying his large hands on his knees, he asked: 'An accident? What kind of accident?’

'Yee was killed.'

Hoo half rose from his seat.

'Yee dead!’ he shouted. As the judge nodded, he sat down again. 'Dead, by Heaven!’ he muttered. Suddenly he cast Judge Dee a sharp look and asked tensely: 'Did he lose an eye?'

The judge raised his eyebrows. He considered the question for a moment, then he replied quietly:

'Yes, you might say Yee did. It was his left eye.'

'Holy Heaven!’ Hoo's face had turned pale under the tan, his big frame sagged. 'Holy Heaven!' he repeated. Noticing that the judge and Tao Gan were staring at him, he managed a smile and said: 'Shouldn't mind that silly jingle, of course. My head is still on my shoulders!’ He passed his hand over his face, which was moist with sweat.

Judge Dee studied him for a brief while, pensively stroking his beard. Hoo had become a changed man.

'There often is more in those street songs than meets the eye, Mr Hoo. Have you any idea who could have wanted to murder Yee?'

'Murder Yee?' Hoo repeated mechanically. 'Well, he did a bit of money-lending, you know. Could become very nasty when the fellows didn't pay up in time. And if you press a man too hard ...' He shrugged his shoulders.