Judge Dee at Work

The scribe resignedly took a sheaf of new sheets. Ma Joong leaned back into his chair, pushed his cap away from his fore­head, and started upon his story, beginning with how they had witnessed the murder from the window of the Kingfisher Restaurant. Then Chiao Tai dictated his report on the arrest of Hoo Ta-ma. It was hard work, for they knew that Judge Dee dis­liked wordy statements, yet insisted on having all details in full. When they were ready at last their faces were wet with perspira­tion.

Thus Judge Dee found them when, an hour before midnight, he came in, clad in his brown travelling-robe. He looked tired and worried. As the three men jumped up quickly, the judge asked sharply:

'What is this all about? When I stepped down from my palan­keen the headman told me that you had two men locked up in jail as murder suspects, and four witnesses summoned!’

'Well, sir,' Ma Joong began diffidently, 'it's rather a sordid murder, of a young boy. My mate and I did a little investigating; all we did is written down here. It began ...'

'Come to my private office!’ Judge Dee interrupted curtly. 'Bring the papers along!’

He ordered the scribe to bring a large pot of hot tea to his office, then went outside followed by his two lieutenants.

Sitting down in the large armchair behind his desk, Judge Dee said, 'That affair in Woo-yee was settled all right. My colleague Pan is an efficient fellow, nice to work with. Sergeant Hoong and Tao Gan are staying on there for another day, to look after a few details.' He took a sip of hot tea, then settled back into his chair with the sheaf of papers.

Ma Joong and Chiao Tai sat stiffly erect on the tabourets in front of the desk. Their throats were parched, but they didn't notice it. They anxiously watched Judge Dee's face for his re­actions.

First the judge creased his bushy eyebrows in a deep frown. But as he read on his face gradually relaxed. When he had finished the last page, he reread some passages, and asked the two men to quote some of their conversations verbatim. Then he threw the papers on the desk. Sitting up, he said with a slow smile:

'Congratulations! Both of you have done very well. You not only carried out the routine work expected from you, but also proved that you are able to take independent action. The two arrests were amply justified.'

His two lieutenants grinned broadly. Ma Joong grabbed the teapot and quickly poured a cup for Chiao Tai and himself.

'Now then,' Judge Dee resumed, 'let's see where we are. In the first place, the facts now before us are insufficient to prove that it was murder. Bao was in a hurry, for after the acrobatics they had to rush back to the temple for the stage performance; besides, it was getting dark. Thus it is quite possible that Bao placed the wrong sword on top, by mistake. It's true that he himself sug­gested foul play, but perhaps he was afraid of being accused of criminal negligence, and those travelling actors stand in deadly fear of the authorities.' The judge paused and stroked his long beard. 'On the other hand, the facts you learned about the people connected with this occurrence suggest various reasons why some of them might have intentionally switched the swords. Including Bao.'

'Why should Bao want to kill the boy?' Ma Joong exclaimed.

'To take vengeance on his unfaithful wife and her paramour, the rice-dealer Lau.' Silencing his astonished lieutenants with his raised hand, Judge Dee continued: 'You don't doubt that the boy in Lau's love-nest in Woo-yee was Mrs Bao's illegitimate son, do you? Lau is interested in the stage; I suppose he met Mrs Bao when the troupe was performing in Woo-yee. When their son was born, they entrusted the child to an old crone who kept a house of assignation there. Eight years later Mrs Bao decided to take the child, which meant that she had to confess her in­fidelity to her husband. Miss Bao stated that her father took this very calmly, but Bao's indifference may have been feigned. Today, when Bao saw Lau standing near the sword rack, he realized that this was a splendid opportunity to take vengeance on his un­faithful wife, get rid of the illegitimate child and involve Lau in a murder case — all at the same time. For we can also formulate a strong case against Lau.'

Again Ma Joong and Chiao Tai wanted to speak, but again the judge silenced them and went on: 'Lau had the opportunity, the special knowledge of stage-props required for utilizing the oppor­tunity, and one can imagine more than one motive. Blackmail is the first that comes to mind. When Bao's troupe comes to Poo-yang, Lau offers his services, perhaps hoping to renew his affair with Mrs Bao. But Bao and his wife try to blackmail him — the boy is living proof of Lau's extra-marital activities in Woo-yee. By changing the swords, Lau would destroy that proof, and he could close Bao's mouth by threatening to accuse him of having killed, out of jealousy, his wife's illegitimate child.