The Phantom of the Temple

'Good man!’ Judge Dee said approvingly. 'That's the only way to deal with such excesses.'

The sergeant glanced at his notes and resumed: 'These stern measures created unrest among the Tartar popu­lation; there was even an attempt at armed rebellion. To placate the excited people, the magistrate allowed one Chinese priest and one Tartar priestess who had recanted to build the Hermitage and to practise there the old Buddhist ritual approved by the authorities. However, the number of visitors dwindled. After a few years the priestess left, and some time after the priest also went away. The authorities sealed the Hermitage. Two years ago, the highway to the tributary kingdoms of the west was moved from Lan-fang up north, and the foreign population of Lan-fang shrunk. Last year the magistrate planned to close down the Hermitage permanently. Then, however, the well-known goldsmith Chang sud­denly died, leaving no offspring. His widow, who had always been a fervent Buddhist, became a nun and requested that the Hermitage be assigned to her. The Hermitage was dedicated in the autumn of the year of the Snake, on the twentieth day of the ninth month. That is all.'

'A rather interesting story, Ma Joong,' Judge Dee com­mented. 'But it doesn't shed any light on our problem. I had hoped for data on old buried treasure there.' He sighed. For a while silence reigned in the small, hot office. Then Ma Joong pushed his cap back and said:

'Since my trip to the north-west quarter didn't produce any data regarding the murder, what about my trying the neighbourhood of the east gate tonight, sir? There are a lot of cheap eating-houses and taverns. Seng-san was a well-known underworld figure, it won't be difficult to locate people there who knew him well, and make them talk about him.'

'Do that,' the judge said. 'There must be a Head of the Beggars here, and he will know much about what's going on in the underworld. Have a talk with him too, Ma Joong.'

'Then, as regards the missing head and body, sir, I too believe they were buried in the temple garden. The headman and the constables searched it, but I can tell you from my experience in the "green woods" that in the dark a forest looks completely different. The constables may well have overlooked in broad daylight features that spring to the eye at night. I would like to go there tonight, sir, to have a look around. See the situation through the eyes of the murderer, so to speak.'

The judge nodded slowly. 'There's a lot in what you say, Ma Joong. All right, have a try! I put two constables on guard there and they can help by clearing a path for you. Don't forget to put on thick leggings, for I am told there are poisonous snakes.' He rose. 'Well, I shall now take a quick bath and change for the festive dinner.'

Half an hour later Judge Dee entered the main dining-room, clad in his ceremonial robe of gold-embroidered green brocade and wearing his high black cap. He was just in time. His First Lady was leading the Abbess in through the front entrance, followed by his Second and Third Ladies.

The judge hastily went to meet the Abbess. Making a bow, he bade her welcome to his residence. She bowed three times in succession, her hands folded in the long sleeves of her wide, saffron-coloured robe. Modestly keep­ing her eyes down, she thanked the judge in a few well-chosen words for his kind invitation. He regarded her curiously, for up to now he had only got occasional glimpses of her tall figure when she was crossing the yard to his women's quarters to give her lessons in flower arrangement. Knowing that she was about forty, he thought she was still rather good-looking, in a cold, rather austere way. Her head and shoulders were covered by a black hood that left the oval of her face free. He noticed the high, curved nose, and the thin, determined mouth.

The five of them sat down on low tabourets of carved sandalwood at the square marble corner table. The six­fold lattice doors had been opened wide to let in the cool evening air. From where they were sitting they had a fine view of the front garden, where the gaily coloured paper lanterns lit up the dark-green foliage. While two maids filled their cups with fragrant jasmine tea, another placed platters with candied fruit and dried melon seeds on the table. The four women waited respectfully for the judge to open the conversation.

'I must warn Your Reverence in advance,' he began, 'that tonight's dinner is only a small family affair. I can only hope that our simple fare won't seem wholly devoid of taste to you.'