The Chinese Nail Murders

Eighteenth Chapter

When Judge Dee's three lieutenants had taken their leave, Mrs. Kuo came in.

The judge hastily motioned her to be seated and to pour herself a cup of tea. He felt very guilty toward this woman.

As she leaned forward over the desk to fill his cup first, Judge Dee again noticed the tinge of fragrance that seemed to be part of her.

"I came to report to Your Honor," she said, "that Mrs. Pan doesn't eat, and cries all the time. She asked me whether her husband could be allowed to see her once."

"That is against the rules," Judge Dee replied with a frown. "Besides, I don't think it would do either of them any good."

"The woman," Mrs. Kuo said softly, "realizes that she'll be executed, and she is resigned to her fate. But she now realizes also that in many ways she did care for her husband, and she wants to apologize to him, so that she'll die with the feeling that she has atoned for at least part of her guilt."

The judge thought for a while. Then he said:

"The main purpose of the law is to restore the pattern, to repair as much as possible the damage caused by a crime. Since Mrs. Pan's apology may console her husband, her request shall be granted."

"I also report," Mrs. Kuo continued, "that I have treated Mrs. Loo's back with various ointments. The wounds will heal. At the same time ..."

Her voice trailed off. As the judge nodded encouragingly, she pursued:

"She doesn't appear to be physically very strong, Your Honor, it's her remarkable will power that keeps her going. I fear that another whipping on her back might permanently impair her health."

"That's useful advice," Judge Dee said. "I'll remember that."

Mrs. Kuo bowed. After some hesitation she said:

"Since she doesn't say a word, I took the liberty of asking about her small daughter. She said that the neighbors were looking after her, and that anyway the tribunal would have to release her soon. I was thinking, however, of passing by Mrs. Loo's house and making sure. If the child isn't happy, I shall take her in our own house."

"Take her with you in any case!" Judge Dee said. "At the same time you might search Mrs. Loo's house and try to find a black Tartar dress, or some black garments that could be used as such. This is a thing that only a woman could decide!"

Mrs. Kuo bowed with a smile. The judge felt the impulse to ask her opinion about a possible liaison between Mrs. Loo and Master Lan but he quickly restrained himself. It was strange enough already that he consulted with a woman about the affairs of the tribunal. Instead he asked what her husband thought of Chu Ta-yuan's condition.

Mrs. Kuo slowly shook her small head.

"My husband," she said, "has again administered a strong soporific. He thinks that Chu's mind is permanently deranged."

Judge Dee sighed. He nodded and Mrs. Kuo took her leave.

When he had opened the evening session, Judge Dee first an­nounced the rules regarding the jurisdiction of the military police, adding that they would be put up on placards throughout the dis­trict. Then he ordered the headman to lead Mrs. Loo before the bench.

The judge noticed that again she had spent much care on her person. She had done up her hair in a simple but striking way, and wore a new brocade jacket. She kept herself straight, although her shoulders evidently hurt her badly. Before kneeling she shot a quick look at the hall, and seemed disappointed that there were only a few spectators.

"Yesterday," Judge Dee said evenly, "you insulted this court. You are not a foolish woman, Mrs. Loo; I trust that this time you will answer my questions truthfully, in the interest of justice, and of yourself."

"This person is not in the habit of telling lies!" Mrs. Loo replied coldly.

"Tell me," the judge said, "whether it is true that next to your personal name, you also have the nickname Kitten?"

"Is Your Honor mocking me?" Mrs. Loo asked scornfully.

"It is the privilege of this court to formulate questions," Judge Dee said calmly. "Answer!"

Mrs. Loo wanted to shrug her shoulders, but suddenly her face twitched in pain. She swallowed, then replied:

"Yes, I do have that nickname. It was given to me by my late father."

Judge Dee nodded. He asked:

"Did your late husband occasionally use that form of address?"

An evil glint shone in Mrs. Loo's eyes.

"No!" she snapped.

"Do you," the judge continued, "occasionally wear the black dress worn by Tartar men?"

"I refuse to be insulted!" Mrs. Loo called out. "How can a decent woman wear a man's dress?"

"The fact is," Judge Dee observed, "that such a dress was found among your belongings."

He noticed that now for the first time Mrs. Loo seemed uneasy. After some hesitation she answered:

"Your Honor may be aware of the fact that I have Tartar rela­tions. That dress was left in the house a long time ago, by a young cousin of mine from over the border."

"You will be conducted back to the jail," Judge Dee said, "and presently reappear here for further questioning."

When she had been led away, the judge read out two official announcements regarding a change in the laws on inheritance. He noticed that now the court hall was full, and that more people were coming in. Some spectators must have spread the news that Mrs. Loo was being heard again.

The headman brought before the bench three full-grown boys. They were very ill at ease, and shot apprehensive looks at the constables and the judge.

"You needn't be afraid!" Judge Dee said kindly. "You'll stand in the front row of the spectators, and look over a person who shall presently be led before this bench. Then you'll tell me if you have seen that person before, and if so, when and where."

Mrs. Kuo led Mrs. Loo in. She had dressed Mrs. Loo in the black dress she had discovered in her house.

Mrs. Loo walked with mincing steps toward the bench. With a dainty gesture she pulled the black jacket down, so that it re­vealed her small, firm breasts and her rounded hips. Half-turning to the audience, she adjusted the black scarf wound around her head at a slight angle. She smiled coyly and nervously plucked with her fingers at the lower rim of her jacket. Judge Dee reflected that she was a consummate actress. He gave a sign to the head­man, who led the three youngsters in front of the bench.

"Do you recognize this person?" Judge Dee asked the eldest.

The boy looked with undisguised admiration at Mrs. Loo. She shot him a shy, sidelong glance, then a blush colored her cheeks.

"No, Your Honor," the youngster stammered.

"Isn't that the person you met in front of the bathhouse?" the judge asked patiently.

"It couldn't be, Your Honor!" the boy said with a smile. "That was a young man!"

Judge Dee looked at the others. They shook their heads, gog­gling at Mrs. Loo. She looked at them archly, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

The judge sighed. He gave a sign to the headman to lead the boys away.

As soon as they had left, Mrs. Loo's face changed as if by magic. It showed its former cold, malevolent expression.

"May this person inquire the meaning of this masquerade?" she asked with a sneer. "Must a woman whose back has been beaten raw now be insulted by dressing her up in a man's dress, and thus exposing her in public?"