scoundrels, the rest are honest people whom I'll answer for. It occurred to me that one of these days I might go out there and enlist the best of them for service in the tribunal.'
'An excellent idea!', the judge exclaimed. 'You will take a horse and go there at once. Select those men you deem suitable. Let them come back to the city at dusk, in groups of two or three and by different routes!'
Headman Fang hurriedly took his leave.
Late that afternoon the main courtyard of the tribunal resembled a military encampment.
Ten men wearing the black lacquered helmets and the leather jackets with red sash that are the regular uniform of constables, were engaged in a drill led by Headman Fang. Ten others clad in light mail coats and decked with shining helmets were practising pike fencing under the supervision of Ma Joong. Chiao Tai was instructing ten more in the secrets of sword fighting.
The gate of the tribunal was closed. Sergeant Hoong and Tao Gan stood on guard.
Later on that night, Judge Dee ordered all the men to assemble in the court hall.
By the light of a single candle the judge issued his instructions. When he had finished he cautioned them all to guard complete silence for a while. Then he snuffed out the candle.
Tao Gan left the court hall. He closed the door carefully behind him and walked through the dark corridors, lighting his way with a small paper lantern.
He went to the jail and unlocked the warden's cell.
Tao Gan loosened the chain with which the warden had been attached to a ring in the wall. He said in a surly voice:
'The judge has decided to dismiss you from his service because of gross negligence. You failed to take proper care of the seals of the tribunal that were entrusted to you. In the coming days our judge shall recruit new personnel of the tribunal, and the first criminal to be kneeling in chains before his dais will be that self-styled tyrant Chien Mow!'
The warden only scowled.
Tao Gan led him through the dark, empty corridors and across the deserted main courtyard. They passed the empty quarters of the guards. Everything was dark and silent.
Tao Gan opened the gate. He gave the warden a push.
'Get out!', he growled. 'Never show your ugly face here again!'
The warden looked contemptuously at Tao Gan. He said with a sneer:
'I shall be back sooner than you think, you dogshead!'
Then he disappeared into the dark street.
Fifth Chapter
Shortly after midnight loud sounds shattered the silence in the dark tribunal.
Hoarse voices shouted orders, weapons clattered. A ram was applied to the main gate; its dull thuds reverberated in the still night air.
But inside the tribunal nothing stirred.
The wood of the gate splintered, heavy wooden boards crashed to the ground. Twenty ruffians swinging clubs and brandishing spears and swords rushed inside. A huge fellow with a lighted torch led the way.
They poured into the first courtyard, shouting:
'Where is that dog-official? Where is that wretched magistrate?'
The big fellow kicked open the gate of the main courtyard and stood aside to let the others pass while he drew his sword.
The ruffians halted inside, for the place was pitch dark.
Suddenly all six doors of the large reception hall swung open. The courtyard was brilliantly lighted by dozens of large candles and lanterns that stood arranged in double rows inside.
The invaders, their eyes blinking from this sudden change from dark to light, vaguely saw soldiers lined up on left and right. The light shone on their helmets and the long points of their pikes, leveled for action. At the bottom of the stairs they saw a row of constables with drawn swords.
On top of the stairs there stood an imposing figure clad in full ceremonial dress of shimmering brocade, the winged judge's cap on his head.
By his side there stood two tall men in the uniform of cavalry captains. Their breast and armplates glittered and coloured pennants fluttered from their pointed helmets. One held a heavy bow ready with an arrow on the string.
The judge called out in a thunderous voice:
'Here is the magistrate of Lan-fang! Surrender your arms!'
The huge ruffian with the naked sword was the first to recover from his surprise.
'Fight your way out!', he yelled to the others.
As he lifted his word he fell backwards with a horrible gasp. Chiao Tai's arrow had pierced his throat.
At the same time a hoarse command rang out from the hall.
'Right about… turn!'
Immediately there was a loud clanking of iron and the tramping of heavy feet.
The ruffians looked at each other in consternation. One of them leaped forward. He shouted at the others:
'Brothers, we are done for! The army is here!'
So speaking he threw down his pike in front of the stairs. As he unbuckled his sword belt he said:
'Well, it took me six years to become a corporal. I suppose I shall have to start as private again!'
Ma Joong barked:
'Who calls himself a corporal here?'
The man stood automatically at attention.
'Corporal Ling, sixth detachment foot soldiers, thirty-third army of the Left Wing. At yours orders, Captain!'
'All deserters out in front!', Ma Joong shouted.
CHIEN MOW'S MEN INVADE THE TRIBUNAL
Five men lined themselves up behind the corporal and awkwardly stood at attention.
Ma Joong said curtly:
'You men shall appear before the military tribunal.' In the meantime the other ruffians had handed their arms to the constables. They bound each man's hands behind his back.
The judge spoke:
'Captain, ask how many other deserters there are around
in this town.'
Ma Joong bellowed the question at the ex-corporal.
'About forty, Sir!' Judge Dee stroked his beard.
'When you people have gone on to inspect the other border districts', he said to Ma Joong, 'I would like to have some soldiers here on guard duty. You will propose to the Commander, Captain, that those deserters are re-enlisted.'
Ma Joong barked immediately:
'Corporal Ling and five privates, go back wherever you came from, get rid of those civilian rags, present
