Poets and Murder

The tea-merchant's house was located in a lane so narrow that the palankeen could hardly pass, but the high brick walls on both sides, decked with weatherbeaten green tiles, indi­cated that this was an old residential section of the town, in­habited by well-to-do people. The bearers halted in front of a black-lacquered gate, lavishly decorated with metal work. The headman who stood waiting there raised his whip, and the small crowd of curious onlookers scattered. The double-gate was pushed open. The high canopy of the palankeen just cleared the heavy age-blackened rafters of the gatehouse.

Stepping down from the palankeen after Magistrate Lo, Judge Dee threw a quick look at the well-kept front court­yard, quiet and cool in the shadow of two tall yew trees. They flanked the granite steps leading up to the impressive, red-pillared main hall. A thin man dressed in a long, olive-green gown and wearing a square black cap of pleated horsehair came hurriedly down the stairs to welcome the visitors. Lo went up to him with quick, mincing steps.

'You are the merchant Meng, I presume? Splendid! Glad to meet the owner of our most famous tea firm. Terrible thing, murder and robbery in your old-established, distinguished house! And on the eve of the Mid-autumn Festival, too!’

Mr Meng made a low bow and began to apologize for the trouble he was causing the authorities. But the small magis­trate cut him short.

'Always at the citizens' service, Mr Meng! Always! This gentleman is a friend of mine, by the way. A colleague who happened to be with me when the murder was reported.' Lo put his winged cap at a jaunty angle. 'Well, take us to the place where it happened. Your back-courtyard, if I remember correctly.'

'Indeed, Your Honour. May I be allowed to offer some re­freshments in the main hall first? Then I can explain to Your Honour exactly how ...'

'No, no need to stand on ceremony, my dear fellow! Lead the way to the back-yard, please.'

The tea-merchant's face fell, but he made a resigned bow and took them along a covered corridor that went round the main hall to a walled garden at the back, lined by rows of potted flowers. Two maidservants scurried away when they saw their master and the two high officials coming round the corner. The headman brought up the rear, the iron manacles suspended on his belt clanking together at his every step. Mr Meng pointed at the sprawling building opposite.

'Those are my family quarters, sir. We'll go round them by the pathway on the left here.'

Walking along the narrow paved path which ran under the protruding eaves, close to the red-lacquered lattice windows, Judge Dee got a glimpse of a pale face inside. He thought it was a young and rather handsome girl.

They came to an extensive orchard where a variety of fruit trees stood in tangled undergrowth.

'My late mother was greatly interested in the cultivation of trees and plants,' the tea-merchant explained. 'She person­ally supervised the gardeners. After her demise last year, I couldn't find time ...'

'Quite,' Magistrate Lo said, gathering up the lower hem of his robe. The winding footpath leading through the orchard was lined by thorny weeds. 'Those pears up there look de­licious.'

'It's a special kind, Your Honour. Large and tasty. Well, the back-yard rented by Mr Soong is over on the other side there, you can just see the roof. Your Honour'll understand now why we didn't hear any outcry or commotion at midnight. We ...'

Lo halted in his steps.

'Last night? Why then was the murder reported only this noon?'

'That was the time the body was discovered, sir. Mr Soong always breakfasted on a few oil-cakes from the stall on the corner, and he used to brew his own morning tea. But his noon and evening rice were served by my maids. When Soong didn't open up when the maid brought his noon meal, she fetched me. I knocked several times, and called Mr Soong's name. When no sound came from inside I feared he had fallen seriously ill. I ordered my steward to break the door down and ...'