Han bowed politely and replied:
'I am entirely at Your Honor's service. The quarrel of my friends Liu and Djang has shocked me deeply. Both are prominent citizens of our small town. I hope and trust that Your Honor will be able to effect an amiable settlement; that would-'
'Before thinking of any attempt at conciliation,' Judge Dee interrupted him, 'I'll first have to decide whether the bride died a natural death and, if not, punish the murderer. But let's begin with the case of the dead dancer.'
Han raised his hands. He exclaimed, annoyed:
'But those two cases are as far apart as Heaven and Earth, Your Honor! The courtesan was a beautiful woman, a talented woman, but after all only a professional dancer! Those girls often get involved in all kinds of unsavory affairs. Heaven knows how many of them die a violent death!' Leaning over to the judge he continued confidentially: 'I can assure Your Honor that nobody who counts here will raise any objection if that case is treated by the tribunal a bit, ah… superficially. And I hardly think that the higher authorities will evince much interest in the death of a light woman. But the case of Liu versus Djang-Heavens! that affects the reputation of our city, Your Honor! All of us here would deeply appreciate it if Your Honor could persuade them to agree to a compromise, perhaps by suggesting-'
'Our views on the administration of justice,' Judge Dee interrupted him coldly, 'are evidently too far apart to admit fruitful discussion. I confine myself to a few questions. First, what was your personal relation to the dancer Almond Blossom?'
Han grew red in the face. His voice trembled in suppressed anger as he asked:
'Do you expect an answer to that question?'
'Certainly!' the judge said affably, 'else I wouldn't have asked it!'
'Then I refuse!' Han burst out.
'Here and now that is your good right,' the judge remarked calmly. 'I shall pose the same question to you in the tribunal, and you will have to answer it, so as not to be guilty of contempt of court-on penalty of fifty lashes. It's only to spare your feelings that I ask you that question now.'
Han looked at the judge with blazing eyes. He mastered himself with difficulty and replied in a flat voice:
'The courtesan Almond Blossom was good-looking, she was an expert dancer, and her conversation was entertaining. Therefore I thought she was qualified to be hired to amuse my guests. Apart from that, the woman didn't exist for me; whether she is alive or dead leaves me completely indifferent.'
'Didn't you tell me just now that you have a daughter?' Judge Dee asked sharply.
Han apparently considered this question as an attempt at changing the subject. He ordered the steward who stood waiting at a discreet distance to bring candied fruit and sweetmeats. Then he said amicably:
'Yes, Your Honor; her name is Willow Down. Though one shouldn't praise one's own child, I dare say she is a remarkable girl. She displays a great talent for painting and calligraphy. She even has-' He had no sooner spoken than he caught himself up selfconsciously: 'But my household affairs will hardly interest Your Honor.'
'I now come to my second question,' Judge Dee said. 'What is your estimate of the character of the guildmasters Wang and Soo?'
'Many years ago,' Han replied in a formal voice, 'Wang and Soo were unanimously elected by the members of their guild to act on their behalf and look after their interests. They were elected because of their elevated character and irreproachable conduct. I have nothing to add to that.'
'Now a question about the case Liu versus Djang,' the judge resumed. 'Why did the professor resign so early?'
Han shifted uncomfortably on his chair.
'Must that old affair be raked up again?' he asked testily. 'It has been established beyond all possible doubt that the girl student who lodged the complaint was deranged in mind. It is most commendable that Dr. Djang still insisted on tendering his resignation, because he opined that a professor of the Temple School should never get talked about, even if he were proved completely innocent.'
'I'll consult our files about that case,' Judge Dee said.
'Oh, Your Honor won't find anything about it in the dossiers,' Han said quickly. 'Fortunately, the case has never been before the tribunal. We, the notables of Han-yuan, have heard the persons concerned and settled the case, together with the Rector of the School. We deem it our duty, Your Honor, to spare the authorities unnecessary work.'
'So I noticed!' the judge remarked dryly. He rose and thanked Han for his kind reception. When Han was conducting him to his palanquin the judge reflected that this interview didn't seem to have laid the foundation for a lasting friendship.
Eighth Chapter
When Judge Dee had ascended his palanquin the bearers told him that the Councilor's house was just around the corner. He hoped that this interview would prove more profitable than that he had just had with Han Yung-han. Councilor Liang, an outsider in Han-yuan like himself, would not be obsessed by Han's scruples about supplying information on the citizens of Han-yuan.
The Councilor's house had an imposing gate. The two heavy pillars that flanked the double doors were carved with an intricate pattern of clouds and fabulous birds.
In the front courtyard, overshadowed by old trees, a young man with a long, sad face came to welcome the high guest. He introduced himself as Liang Fen, the Councilor's nephew, who acted as his secretary. He began elaborate excuses for the Councilor not coming out to bid the magistrate welcome in person. Judge Dee cut him short, saying:
'I know that His Excellency is in poor health. I would never have dared to importune him were it not that I have to discuss with him urgent official business.'
The secretary bowed deeply and led the judge into a broad, semiobscure corridor. There were no servants in evidence.
When they were about to cross a small garden, Liang Fen suddenly halted in his steps. Nervously rubbing his hands together, he said:
'I realize this is quite irregular, Your Honor. I deeply regret that I have to put forward this request in such an abrupt manner… Would Your Honor deign to grant me the opportunity for a brief private conversation, after the interview with my master? I am in great difficulties. I really don't know-'
LIANG FEN WELCOMES JUDGE DEE
He didn't manage to conclude his sentence. The judge gave him a searching look, then nodded his assent. The young man seemed greatly relieved. He led the judge across the garden to a large porch, and opened a heavy door. 'His Excellency shall presently make his appearance!' he announced. Then he stepped back, and closed the door noiselessly behind him.
Judge Dee blinked his eyes. The spacious room was pervaded by a dim, diffuse light; at first he could discern only a white square in the back wall. It proved to be a low, broad window, pasted over with a grayish paper.
He advanced gingerly over the thick carpet, afraid of barking his shins against a piece of furniture. But when his eyes had got adjusted to the darkness, he saw that his fear had been unfounded. The room was sparsely furnished: next to a high desk in front of the window with a large armchair behind it, the only furniture consisted of four high-backed chairs against a side wall, underneath a set of well-stocked bookshelves. The nearly empty room breathed a curious, desolate atmosphere, as if no one really lived there.
Noticing a large goldfish bowl of colored porcelain that stood on a stand of carved blackwood next to the desk,
