The Emperor's Pearl
- Автор: ван Гулик Роберт Ханс
- Серия: Judge Dee #9
- Язык: английский
- Жанр: Другие детективы
Электронная книга - «The Emperor's Pearl». Краткое содержание книги:
In The Emperor’s Pearl, the judge discovers that these two deaths are connected by an ancient tragedy involving a near-legendary treasure stolen from the Imperial Harem one hundred years earlier. The terrifying figure of the White Lady, a river goddess enshrined on a bloodstained altar, looms in the background of the investigation. Clues are few and elusive, but under the expert hand of Robert van Gulik, this mythic jigsaw puzzle assembles itself into a taut mystery.
“If you have not yet discovered Judge Dee and his faithful Sgt. Hoong, I envy you that initial pleasure which comes from the discovery of a great detective story. For the magistrate of Poo-yang belongs in that select group of fictional detectives headed by the renowned Sherlock Holmes.”—Robert Kirsch, Los AngelesTimes
“The title of this book and the book itself have much in common. Each is a jewel, a rare and precious find.”—AtlantaTimes
'I dismissed Tong, promised him a monthly allowance, to keep him quiet. I employed Sia instead, a stupid, miserable sneak thief! But I had to have someone who could keep me informed about what went on here in this house. That wretched doctor kept assuring me that Gold Lotus would never recover. But I had to check that, had to know about her, how she was living, how . . .' He paused. When he had recollected himself he went on in a steady voice: 'Sia made himself useful by worming all kinds of information out of Tong. A few days ago Sia told me that now he had definite proof that Amber slept with Tong, for they were going to have a secret meeting in the pavilion, after the races. The lecherous pair would use my couch, the couch I had placed there for strapping whores to, for my rightful revenge! But I prevented it. Sia kept Tong's appointment, instead of her lover she would find there a man who would strap her to the couch she had thought she would wallow on with her lover ! ' His face fell. He cursed under his breath and went on: 'Imagine the fool bungling it! When Sia came back to the city, to the house of assignation near the south gate where we had agreed to meet, the wretch was in a terrible state. He babbled about her stabbing him when he tried to strip her, and he getting panicky and killing her when trying to defend himself. To make matters worse, he had apparently been followed to the deserted house, and by officers of the tribunal! I gave him a cup of wine and told him to lie down and rest. For I needed time to think. As I made him lie down, I noticed something heavy in his sleeve. I took it out and saw that it was a package containing ten gold bars! Sia let himself roll down from the couch, he wanted to rush out of the room. But I grabbed him by his neck and put my hands round his throat. The scoundrel then confessed that he had known that Amber would be bringing that gold to the rendezvous, Sia had planned to steal it and keep it for himself. I asked Sia why she had brought all that money, and the credulous fool replied that he had heard from Tong that it was for buying from him the Emperor's pearl! Sia hadn't understood that the story of the pearl was nothing but a mean trick of Tong and his paramour to get money out of Kou for eloping together! But I didn't enlighten Sia, of course. For now that I had the gold and now that Amber had been killed, Sia would have to disappear. I told him that I would overlook his attempt at deceiving me, and even let him keep one gold bar — on condition that he help me to get the pearl. I added that he could pass the night in the house we were in, and go to the Tong villa early this morning, disguised as a carpenter.'
'I went out there too, telling my assistant that I had to see a farmer about an inscribed stone he had dug up. I know a short cut to the Tong villa. Half a mile down the highway I entered the mud road next to the large farmstead there, then rode through the rice fields to the east edge of the Mandrake Grove. Three white elms mark the entrance to a narrow pathway leading through the forest to the temple, and on that same spot begins another path that circles the grove, ending up behind the Tong villa. I tethered my horse near the elm trees, then went on to the villa.'
'Well, Sia did his best; he's a cunning thief, I'll say that for him! He first searched the roof of the pavilion and looked under the eaves, for Tong had told him he had hidden the pearl in a place no one would ever think of. Of course Sia found nothing there but a few bird's-nests, for the tale about the pearl had been a hoax. Then I made Sia take the interior of the pavilion apart. I thought that would give you something to think about. I have known you for more than a year, magistrate, and you are nobody's fool, I grant you that! When Sia was about through, I took up a brick and smashed his head. After I had thrown the body into the ditch, I went back to the city the same way I had come. Just before leaving I saw that smug skinflint arriving.'
Kwang began to mutter angrily, but the judge said quickly to Yang:
'I suppose you recognized Miss Lee when she was brought to the tribunal, this morning?'
'How could I've missed that silly round face?' Yang asked with disdain. 'I had told Sia that I wanted her last week. She was just the stupid type that screams her head off. When I saw her being marched to the tribunal together with three ruffians, I knew that Sia had failed to warn the men that the deal was off; that they had been caught red-handed, and would blab in the tribunal about the old hag's place. And she would promptly denounce me, of course. To save her own skin! So I rushed out there. That time I was in luck, I found her all alone!'
'Quite,' Judge Dee said dryly. 'That's all.' He gave a sign to the headman.
The judge looked on silently for a while as the constables put the giant into chains. Suddenly he spoke :
'I gather that you bore Mrs Kou and the Amber Lady a grudge because they rejected your advances. But why did you torture those other women? Women you didn't even know?'
Yang's chains rattled as he righted himself.
'I don't think you would ever understand,' he answered calmly. 'But let me try to tell you anyway. For a moment I was indeed interested in Amber because I recognized in that dirty small girl a budding beauty — as Kou did also. But Amber was nothing but empty form, inside she was just a lewd little slave-girl. As to Gold Lotus, hers is the beauty of perfect form, glowing with an inner radiance, a glow tempered by the subtle charm of breeding and refined culture. Gold Lotus represents perfect beauty: the only thing I have lived for, because it is the only thing that makes life worth living.' His voice quickened as he went on: 'Beauty as caught in stone or wood, silver or porcelain, bronze or gold can never compete with the beauty that lives and pulsates embodied in woman. And that supreme beauty must be enjoyed by physical possession, every day to be admired and gazed at, stroked and fondled, ever revealing new charms, new delights. Possessing Gold Lotus was the ultimate goal of my life, the crowning delight that my long years of loving, preserving, and studying beauty had fully entitled me to. That night, in the temple, she murdered me. With one cruel blow she killed my capacity for enjoying beauty, leaving me maimed, with nothing but the desire for revenge. With the burning desire to avenge the cruel, inhuman crime committed against me! ' His eyes glittered with a maniacal gleam as he exclaimed exulting: 'I have taken that revenge! I, a murdered man risen from the grave! I have tortured woman, the heartless murderess, she who tempts and entices man with coy smiles and shy glances, then to repel him with a sneer, leaving him a pitiable wreck, crippled in both body and mind. All those others I made grovel before me begged for mercy in her voice, it was her flesh I lacerated, her blood I saw flow, her . . .' He broke off and licked the foam from his snarling lips. Suddenly his distorted face relaxed. He said quietly: 'I did what I felt I had to do. I shall take the consequences.'
Judge Dee nodded at the headman. Yang was led away. The judge sat down. He wiped the perspiration from his forehead. Mr Kwang cleared his throat and asked :
'Would Your Honour kindly allow me to ask a question?' As Judge Dee nodded wearily, he went on: 'Mr Yang owes me a not inconsiderable sum for two antique bronzes supplied to him. Am I correct in assuming that the tribunal will in due time pay out that amount to me from the dead criminal's confiscated assets?'
'Indeed, Mr Kwang,' Judge Dee replied. Then he added: 'I need you tomorrow in the tribunal, as a witness. Thereafter you are free to continue your journey, any time you like.'
'Thank you, sir.' Sadly shaking his head, Kwang went on: 'I had always considered both Mr Yang and Dr Pien sound businessmen! Goes to show one can't be too careful in choosing the persons to deal with! I am most grateful that Your Honour allowed me to take part in tonight's session, it was a very instructive experience. I take it that you knew beforehand that Yang and Pien were guilty, sir?'