The Willow Pattern

'If old Mr Mei hadn't died we wouldn't have had the riot,' Tao Gan said soberly. 'Mei used to harangue the crowd while distributing free rice in the market, telling them to have patience, because the rain would come soon and wash the city clean of the sickness. And they trusted him.'

The judge lifted his head and looked up at the sky. 'Not a breath of wind in the air,' he said dejectedly. Then he sat up in his chair and resumed in a brisk voice: 'Take a seat! I shall tell you about Yee's murder. It's a strange case that'll help to take your mind off what happened downtown.'

His three lieutenants pulled seats up to the table. After Tao Gan had poured out fresh tea, the judge gave a succinct account of what he and Tao Gan had found in the Yee man­sion, and of their conversation with Hoo. He saw to his satisfaction that the taut faces of Ma Joong and Chiao Tai relaxed with their mounting interest in his exposition of the facts. When he had finished, Ma Joong exclaimed:

'Hoo is our man, sir! He had the opportunity, the physique needed for utilizing the opportunity, and a strong motive, namely his jealousy of Yee, who was monopolizing the dancer.'

'And Yee must have smashed the flower vase deliberately, so as to leave a clue, to Hoo in his Willow Pattern villa,' Chiao Tai added. 'A broken vase or jug can be a very nasty weapon when used as a club, but only street-roughs are aware of the fact. Certainly not a gentleman-born like Yee. Let's have Hoo arrested, sir!’

Judge Dee shook his head.

'Not so fast! Hoo was doing his best to act the part of the blunt, blustering country squire. But his best wasn't good enough, for the man was labouring under some strong emotional conflict. And I had the distinct impression that the dancer Porphyry was but a minor element in that con­flict. That's why he told us all about her and about the way her sensual beauty affected him; without realizing that in doing so he was sticking out his neck for the executioner's sword, so to speak. That, among other things, makes me in­clined to give him the benefit of the doubt. For the time being, that is.'

Tao Gan tugged at his thin goatee.

'To tell incriminating half-truths with a great show of sincerity,' he observed, 'is a trick commonly practised by astute criminals. Another thing that seemed to me suspicious was that Hoo didn't show the slightest interest in the manner of Yee's death.'

'He was very much interested in Yee's eye, though,' Judge Dee said.

'Thought of the street song, eh?' Chiao Tai asked.

'That jingle was indeed worrying him considerably,' the judge said. 'I can't see why it should. Another thing I'd like to know is why Porphyry went out of her way to stir up trouble between Yee and Hoo. Yee is rich and Hoo is poor, so why should she risk losing a good customer by making eyes at Hoo? Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that both Yee's maid and Hoo confirmed our impression that Doctor Lew's private life is very questionable; the man is a lecher. That's why I am not happy to see him hanging about Mrs Mei. She is still a handsome woman, and now that her husband has gone she is quite unprotected. I was a fool to have sent Lew with my message to her. Have a look and see whether the senior scribe is back yet, Tao Gan!’

'Returning to the situation downtown, sir,' Ma Joong began, 'it appears that the scavengers are developing into a real problem. As you know, the wardens had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to get together a sufficient number, and all kinds of vagabonds and crooks joined their ranks. One could hardly pick and choose, for theirs is not a very enviable job, of course. But the fact is that their black hoods serve another purpose besides just protecting them against infection. They ensure anonymity, and many of those scoun­drels abuse that for stealing and extorting money from the people whose dead they come to collect.'

Judge Dee hit his fist on the table.

'As if there wasn't enough trouble already! Order the municipal constables to keep an eye on those wretches, Ma Joong. The first one they catch pilfering shall be flogged in the market. And let it be known that, if they commit serious crimes, they shall be beheaded on the spot. We must set a few warning examples, otherwise the situation will get com­pletely out of hand.'

Tao Gan came back, followed by the senior scribe.

'We have drawn up an inventory of all the valuables in the Mei mansion, my lord,' the scribe reported respectfully. 'The housemaster assisted us; he has fortunately completely recovered. We also sealed the safe and the cashboxes, pending the arrival of the deceased's cousin. I saw to it that the body was properly dressed and placed in a temporary coffin.'

'Was Doctor Lew there too?'

'Oh yes, my lord. He was a great help in listing the assets. When we left, he was still discussing various household problems with Mrs Mei.'

'Thank you.' After the scribe had taken his leave, the judge said peevishly: 'Just as I thought! I do hope that Mrs Mei will leave for the mountain villa directly after the funeral service.'

'She should have done so three weeks ago,' Tao Gan remarked dryly. 'Mere common sense. I must say that, although Mrs Mei looks and behaves as a lady born, sir, I have my doubts about it. When I was studying the Mei file in the Chancery, I found the record of the marriage, con­cluded thirteen years ago; it gave no particulars beyond her name, surname and age. I worked through the dossier a second time, but didn't find one word about her or her family. I wouldn't be astonished to learn she was a courtesan, bought out by old Mei.'