The Emperor's Pearl

Judge Dee agreed that that was true. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the woman in black standing close by the balustrade that separated the barber's shop from the street. Perhaps she was a prostitute after all, waiting there to accost him when he left. He said to the barber:

'I see only four waiters in the wine-house over there. They must have had a busy time serving all those rowers! I heard that there were nine dragonboats this time.'

'No, they didn't! Do you see that table in the back? Well, they had put six large wine-jars there. Each and every­one could dip in his bowl as often as he liked! And those two side-tables were heaped with cold snacks. Help your­self! Seeing that I have a couple of clients among the rowers, I thought I was more or less entitled to join the guests, and I hopped over myself. I can tell you that they served nothing but the best, sir! The Hon'ble Pien and Kou don't grudge expense when they entertain, no sir they don't! Not a bit stuck up either, they were up and about all the time, had a kind word for everyone. Do you want to have your hair washed?' As the judge shook his head the barber went on: 'Our villagers will go on drinking till midnight, I wager, even though they'll have to pay for it now! There was an accident during the races, you know, a fellow died. That's why everybody here is glad. For now that the White One has got her due, there'll be good crops this autumn!'

'Do you believe in the White Woman?'

'Well, sir, I do and I don't, so to speak. My trade not depending on the water or the field, I can afford to keep an open mind in the matter, more or less, you see. But I wouldn't willingly go near that Mandrake Grove up there, sir!' He pointed with his scissors and added: 'For that belongs to her, and I believe in keeping on the safe side!'

'I too, so stop waving those scissors around my head, man! That'll do fine, thank you. How much do I owe you?'

He paid his coppers, put on his skull-cap, and went out.

The woman in black stepped up to him and said curtly:

'I would like to have a word with you.'

Judge Dee halted and gave her a sharp look. Her cultured voice and air of assurance confirmed his first impression that she was indeed a lady. She went on quickly:

'I heard you say just now that you are a boxing-master. I might have work for you tonight.'

The judge was curious to know what this strange woman wanted. He said:

'I am travelling, and travelling costs money. I could do with something extra.'

'Follow me!'

She walked over to the rustic stone seats under the willows along the waterside and sat down. Judge Dee took the seat opposite. She let down her veil and looked steadily at him for a while with her large, gleaming eyes. She was a remarkably beautiful woman. Her almond-shaped face was not made up, but her delicate small mouth had a natural, bright-red colour, and a slight blush enlivened her smooth cheeks. He put her age at about twenty-five. Her scrutiny completed, she resumed:

'You seem to be a decent fellow, I don't think you'll take undue advantage of the situation. Well, it's quite simple, really. I agreed to meet someone, for an important trans­action, in a deserted house near the Mandrake Grove, about half an hour's walk from here. But, when I made the appointment, I stupidly overlooked the fact that on the night of the dragonboat races all kinds of riff-raff are about here. I want you to accompany me to the house, to protect me against footpads and so on. You only need to bring me up to the gate.' She felt in her sleeve, brought out a shining silver piece, and added: 'I am prepared to pay you well for this slight service.'