The Chinese Nail Murders

Eleventh Chapter

The next day, during the morning session, Judge Dee had Kuo conduct the autopsy on the dead boxer's body. The session was attended by all the notables of Pei-chow, and every citizen who could find a place in the court hall.

When he had completed the autopsy, Kuo reported: "The deceased died of a virulent poison, identified as the pow­dered root of the Snake Tree that grows in the south. Samples of the tea in the teapot, and of the tea left in the broken cup, were fed to a sick dog. The former proved harmless, but the dog died soon after he had lapped up a little of the latter." Judge Dee asked:

"How was the poison introduced into the teacup?" "I presume," Kuo answered, "that the dried jasmine flower had been previously filled with the powder, and then surreptitiously dropped into the cup."

"On what do you base that assumption?" the judge asked.

"The powder," the coroner explained, "has a faint but very distinctive smell, that would be all the more noticeable when it mixed with the hot tea. But if put inside a jasmine flower, the latter's fragrance would effectively conceal the smell of the poison. When I heated the rest of the tea without the flower, the smell was unmistakable, and I could thereby identify the poison."

Judge Dee nodded and ordered the hunchback to affix his thumb mark to his report. Rapping his gavel on the bench he said:

"The late Master Lan Tao-kuei was poisoned by a person as yet unknown. He was a distinguished boxer, several times in suc­cession the champion of the northern provinces. At the same time he was a man of noble character. Our Empire, and more especially this district of Pei-chow which he honored with his presence, mourn the passing away of a great man.

"This tribunal shall do its utmost to apprehend the criminal, so that Master Lan's soul may rest in peace."

Again rapping his gavel, the judge continued:

"I now come to the case Yeh versus Pan." He gave a sign to the headman, who led Pan Feng in front of the bench. Then he said:

"The scribe shall now read out two statements concerning the movements of Pan Feng."

The senior scribe rose and first read out the statement of the two soldiers, then the report of the constables regarding their in­vestigation in Five Rams Village.

Judge Dee announced:

"This testimony proves that Pan Feng told the truth about his movements on the fifteenth and the sixteenth. Moreover, this court opines that if he had actually murdered his wife, he would certainly not have absented himself from the city for two days without concealing the dead body of his wife, at least temporarily. Therefore this court finds the evidence brought forward till now insufficient for entertaining the case against Pan Feng. The plain­tiff shall state whether he is in a position to adduce more evidence against the accused, or whether he wishes to withdraw his charge."

"This person," Yeh Pin said hurriedly, "wishes to withdraw his accusation. He humbly apologizes for his rash act, which was in­spired only by the deep grief over his sister's horrible death. In this case he speaks also on behalf of his brother, Yeh Tai."

"It shall be so recorded," Judge Dee said. Leaning forward and looking at the persons in front of the bench he asked: "Why has Yeh Tai not appeared before this tribunal today?"

"Your Honor," Yeh Pin said, "I can't understand what hap­pened to my brother. He went out yesterday after the noon meal and he hasn't come back since."

"Does your brother often pass the night outside?" Judge Dee asked.

"Never, Your Honor!" Yeh Pin replied with a worried look. "Often he comes back home late, but he always sleeps in the house."

The judge said with a frown:

"When he comes back you will tell him to repair to this tri­bunal immediately. He must personally register his withdrawal of the charge against Pan Feng." He rapped his gavel, then announced:

"Pan Feng is now released. This tribunal will continue its efforts to locate the murderer of his wife."

Pan Feng hastily knocked his forehead on the floor several times to show his gratitude. When he rose Yeh Pin quickly stepped up to him and started to apologize.

Judge Dee ordered the headman to bring the brothel-keeper, the two procurers and the two prostitutes before him. He handed the cancelled receipts to the women and told them they were free. Then he condemned the brothel-keeper and the two touts to three months in prison, to be released after a flogging. The three men started to protest loudly, the brothel-keeper loudest of all. For he reflected that a lacerated back will heal, but that it is difficult to recover the purchase price of two strapping wenches. While the constables dragged the men off to jail, the judge told the two prostitutes that they could work in the kitchen of the tribunal, pending the departure of the military convoy that would take them back to their native place.

The two women prostrated themselves before the bench and expressed their gratitude with tears in their eyes.

When Judge Dee had closed the session he ordered Sergeant Hoong to call Chu Ta-yuan to his private office.

The judge sat down behind his desk, and motioned Chu to take an armchair. His four lieutenants took their customary places on the stools in front. A clerk served tea in mournful silence.

Then Judge Dee spoke:

"Last night I did not further discuss the murder of Master Lan, because I wanted first to have the results of the autopsy, and also because I wanted to have the advice of Mr. Chu here, who has known the master all his life."

"I'll do anything I can to bring the fiend who killed our boxer to justice!" Chu Ta-yuan burst out. "He was the finest athlete I have ever seen. Has Your Honor any idea who could have done that foul deed?"

"The murderer," Judge Dee said, "was a young Tartar, or at least a man dressed up like one."

Sergeant Hoong shot a quick look at Tao Gan. Then he said:

"We have been wondering, Your Honor, why it should be that youngster who murdered Master Lan. After all, there are more than sixty bathers on the list drawn up by Ma Joong and Chiao Tai."

"But none of them," the judge said, "could have gone in and out of Master Lan's room unnoticed. The murderer, however, knew that the attendants wear black oilcloth, and that resembles the black Tartar dress. The murderer entered the bathhouse to­gether with the three youngsters. In the anteroom he did not hand in his tally, but walked straight on to the corridor, posing as an attendant. Remember that the steam is so thick there that one cannot see clearly who is about. He slipped inside Lan's room, put the poisoned flower in the teacup, and walked out again. He left the bathhouse probably by the servants' entrance."

"The clever scoundrel!" Tao Gan exclaimed. "He thought of everything."

"Yet there are some clues," Judge Dee observed. "The Tartar dress and the tally he'll of course have destroyed. But he must have left without noticing that Master Lan in his death struggle tried to make a figure with the Seven Board, and that figure may contain a clue to the criminal's identity. Further, Master Lan must have known the man well, and we have his general description as given by that youngster. Mr. Chu can probably tell us whether Master Lan had a pupil who was thin and rather small and wore his hair fairly long?"

"He did not," Chu Ta-yuan replied immediately. "I know them all, they are husky fellows, and the master insisted that they shave their heads. What a shame, that splendid fighter killed by poison —the despicable weapon of a coward."

All were silent. Then Tao Gan, who had been slowly twisting the three long hairs that sprouted from his left cheek, suddenly said:

"The weapon of a coward, or of a woman!"

"Lan never bothered about women," Chu Ta-yuan said con­temptuously. But Tao Gan shook his head. He said:

"That may be precisely the reason why he was killed by one. Lan may have rebuffed a woman, and that causes sometimes a violent hatred."

"I know that much," Ma Joong added, "that many a dancing girl lamented that Master Lan took no notice of her, they told me so themselves. His very reserve seemed to attract the wenches, though only Heaven knows why."

"Stuff and nonsense!" Chu exclaimed angrily.

Judge Dee had been listening silently. Now he said:

"I must say that the idea appeals to me. It would not be diffi­cult for a woman of slight build to disguise herself as a Tartar boy. But then she must have been Master Lan's mistress. For when she went into his bath room he didn't even try to cover himself up. The towels were hanging on the rack."

"Impossible!" Chu shouted. "Master Lan and a mistress! Out of the question!"

"I remember now," Chiao Tai said slowly, "that when we vis­ited him yesterday, he did make unexpectedly a very bitter remark about women, something about them sapping a man's strength. And as a rule he was very mild in his remarks."

As Chu was muttering angrily, Judge Dee took from his drawer the Seven Board that Tao Gan had made for him, and arranged six pieces in the way they had been found on the table. He tried to make a figure by adding the triangle. After a while he said:

"If Lan were murdered by a woman, this figure might contain a clue to her identity. But he disturbed the pieces while falling down, and he died before he could add the last triangle. It's a difficult problem." Brushing the pieces aside he went on: "However that may be, our first task is to investigate all persons Master Lan used to associate with. Mr. Chu, I propose that you now consult with Ma Joong, Chiao Tai and Tao Gan on how to divide this work, so that each can start immediately on his allotted task. Sergeant, you'll go to the market, and question the two other youngsters about the appearance of that Tartar youth. If you do that in a friendly manner, drinking a cup of wine with them or so, they may come up with more information. Ma Joong has their names and addresses. And on your way out, Sergeant, tell Kuo to come here, I want to know more details about that poison."

After Chu Ta-yuan and his four lieutenants had taken their leave, Judge Dee slowly drank a few cups of tea, deep in thought. Yeh Tai's absence worried him. Could the scoundrel suspect that the tribunal was on his heels? The judge rose and started pacing the floor. With Mrs. Pan's murder unsolved, and now the poison­ing of Master Lan, it would be a great relief to be able to settle at least the case of Miss Liao.

When Kuo came in the judge greeted him with a few kind words. He sat down again behind his desk, and. motioned the hunchback to take a stool. Then Judge Dee said:

"As a pharmacist you can doubtless tell me how the murderer could have obtained that poison. It must be fairly rare."

Kuo pushed the lock of hair away from his forehead. Placing his large hands on his knees he said:

"Unfortunately it can be easily obtained, Your Honor. If used in small quantities it is a good stimulant for the heart, and there­fore most pharmacies keep it in stock."

Judge Dee heaved a sigh. "So we can't hope for a clue there," he said. Placing the pieces of the Seven Board in front of him and shifting them about aimlessly he pursued: "Of course this puzzle might provide a clue."

Judge Dee and coroner Kuo

The hunchback shook his head. He said sadly:

"I don't think so, Your Honor. That poison causes an unen­durable pain, and death ensues in a few moments."

"But Master Lan was a man of extraordinary will power," the judge observed, "and he was very clever with this Seven Board. He knew he could not make the door to call an attendant, so I think he tried to indicate the murderer in this way."

"It is true," Kuo said, "that he was very clever with that board. When he came to our house he often amused me and my wife by making all kinds of figures at a moment's notice."

"I fail to see," Judge Dee said, "what this figure could have been meant to be."

"Master Lan was wonderfully kind, Your Honor," the hunch­back went on pensively. "He knew that ruffians in the market often pushed and humiliated me. So he went to the trouble to work out a new fighting system especially for me, adapted to the fact that I have weak legs but rather strong arms. Then he pa­tiently taught me that system, and since then no one has dared to bother me any more."

Judge Dee had not heard Kuo's last words. Playing with the seven pieces of cardboard, he suddenly saw that he had made the figure of a cat.

Quickly he shuffled the pieces again. The poison used, the jas­mine flower, the cat ... he refused to follow this line of logic. Noticing Kuo's astonished look he said hurriedly to cover up his consternation:

"Yes, I suddenly thought of a queer meeting I had last night. I brought home a small girl that had become lost, but her mother just reviled me. It was a widow, a most unpleasant person. From the innocent patter of the child I gathered that she must have a secret lover."

"What was her name?" Kuo asked curiously.

"She is a Mrs. Loo, and runs a cotton shop."

Kuo sat stiffly erect. He exclaimed:

"That is a nasty woman, Your Honor. I had some dealings with her five months ago, when her husband had died. That was a queer affair."

The judge was still confused by the discovery of the cat. And Master Lan visited the pharmacy often, he reflected. He asked absent-mindedly:

"What was queer about the death of that cotton merchant?"

Kuo hesitated before he replied:

"The matter was really treated a little cursorily by Your Honor's predecessor. But just at that time there had been an attack of the Tartar hordes on the Northern Army, and crowds of refugees came pouring into the city. The magistrate had his hands full and I can well understand that he did not want to spend much time on a cotton merchant who died from a heart attack."

"Why should he?" Judge Dee asked, grateful for the diversion. "The autopsy would have shown any suspicious features."

The hunchback looked unhappy.

"The trouble is, Your Honor," he said, "that there was no autopsy!"

The judge was all attention now. Leaning back in his chair he said curtly:

"Tell me the facts."

"Late in the afternoon," Kuo began, "Mrs. Loo came to the tribunal together with Dr. Kwang, a well-known physician here. The doctor stated that at the noon meal Loo Ming had complained of a headache, and had lain down on his bed. Shortly after, his wife heard him groaning. When she entered the bedroom, he was dead. She called Dr. Kwang, and he examined the corpse. She told him that her husband had often complained about his weak heart. Dr. Kwang inquired what he had eaten at noon, and his wife said he had taken very little food, but drunk two jugs of wine in order to get rid of his headache. Dr. Kwang thereupon signed a certificate stating that Loo Ming had died from a heart attack, occasioned by overindulgence in alcohol. Your Honor's predecessor registered the death as such."

As Judge Dee remained silent, the hunchback went on: "Now I happen to know Loo Ming's brother, and he told me that when he assisted in dressing the corpse, he noticed that the face was not discolored, but that the eyes were bulging from their sockets. Since those symptoms point to a blow on the back of the head, I went to Mrs. Loo asking for more particulars. But she shouted at me and cursed me for an interfering busybody. Then I took the liberty to speak about it to the magistrate, but he said he was satisfied with Dr. Kwang's statement, and that he saw no reason for an autopsy. And there the matter ended." "Didn't you speak to Dr. Kwang?" Judge Dee inquired. "I made several attempts, but he avoided me," Kuo answered. "Then there were rumors that Dr. Kwang meddled with black magic. He left the city with the stream of refugees heading south, and no one has ever heard from him again." The judge slowly stroked his beard.

"That certainly is a curious story!" he said at last. "Are there still some people here who practice sorcery? You know that according to the law that is a capital offense."

Kuo shrugged his shoulders.

"Many families here in Pei-chow," he said, "have Tartar blood, and imagine that they possess the secret tradition of the Tartar sorcerers. Some maintain that those people can kill other men just by reciting incantations, or by burning or cutting off the head of a picture of them. Others are said to know also the secret Taoist rites and to be able to prolong their life by having witches or goblins as lovers. In my opinion all this is nothing but bar­barian superstition, but Master Lan had made quite a study of it and he told me that there was a basis of truth in their allegations."

"Our Master Confucius," Judge Dee said impatiently, "ex­pressly warned us not to dabble in those dark arcana. I would never have thought that a wise man like Lan Tao-kuei wasted time on those weird pursuits."

"He was a man of wide interests, Your Honor," the hunchback said diffidently.

"Well," the judge pursued, "I am glad you told me that story about Mrs. Loo. I think I'll summon her and ask for more details about the death of her husband."

Judge Dee took up a paper and Kuo hastily bowed and left.