The Hunter nodded.
"There is a bit of fighting coming on", he said, "and there is a lot in it for a good man!"
Ma Joong held out his open hand.
"No", The Hunter said, "not in cash. But when we start in a couple of days, as much in loot as you can grab!"
"I am ready!", Ma Joong exclaimed enthusiastically. "Where shall I join you?"
The Hunter again talked rapidly to the other man. Then he rose and said:
"Come along, brother, I shall take you to our headman!"
Ma Joong jumped up and drew his robe over his shoulders. He gave the girl a friendly pat and said:
"I'll be back, Tulbee!"
They left the house, The Hunter walking in front.
He led Ma Joong through two dark alleys, then entered what seemed to be a ruined compound. They halted in front of a small hovel.
He knocked on the door. There was no answer.
The Hunter shrugged his shoulders and pushed the door open, beckoning Ma Joong to follow him.
They sat down on low footstools covered with sheepskin. The room was bare but for a low wooden couch.
"The boss will be back soon", The Hunter said.
Ma Joong nodded and prepared himself for a long wait.
Suddenly the door burst open and a broad-shouldered man came running in. He shouted excitedly at The Hunter.
"What is he jabbering about?", asked Ma Joong.
The Hunter looked frightened.
"He says that the constables have just raided the east quarter!"
Ma Joong jumped up.
"This is the time for me to leave!" he exclaimed. "If they come here I am lost! I'll be back tomorrow. How can I find this wretched place?"
"Just ask for Orolakchee!", the other replied.
"I am off now. That wench will keep!"
And Ma Joong rushed out.
He found Judge Dee sitting alone in his private office, apparently deep in thought.
When Judge Dee saw Ma Joong he said with a frown:
"Tao Gan and Headman Fang came in a few moments ago. They reported that the search had been a failure. Tao Gan went to the Southern Row, but they have bought no new girls there since the last half year. Did you find any clue to White Orchid's whereabouts in that northern licensed quarter?"
"Nothing that pointed to the kidnapped girl", Ma Joong answered, "but I heard a queer story."
Then he told the judge all about his adventure with The Hunter and Tulbee.
Judge Dee listened absent-mindedly. He said:
"Those rascals probably want you to join them in a raid on another tribe. I would not venture out with them into the plain over the river if I were you!"
Ma Joong shook his head doubtfully but the judge continued:
"Tomorrow morning I want you to accompany me and Sergeant Hoong on a visit to the country estate of Governor Yoo. But tomorrow night you can go out to the Northern Row again and try to learn more about the headman of those barbarian rascals."
Seventeenth Chapter
Judge dee had planned to set out for the Governor's country estate early in the morning. But just as he was finishing his morning tea, Sergeant Hoong announced that Mrs. Yoo and her son Yoo Shan had come to see the judge as requested.
Judge Dee had them brought in.
Yoo Shan was tall for his age. He had an open, intelligent face and an air of self-assurance that pleased the judge.
He made Mrs. Yoo and her son sit down in front of his desk. After the exchange of the usual courtesies the judge said:
"I regret, Madam, that pressure of other business has prevented me from devoting as much time to your case as I would have liked. I have not yet succeeded in solving the riddle of the Governor's scroll picture. However, I have a feeling that if I knew more about the general situation in your household when your late husband was still alive, I would be in a better position to solve the problem. Hence I would like to ask you a few questions, for my own guidance."
Mrs. Yoo bowed.
"In the first place", Judge Dee continued, "I wondered about the old Governor's attitude to his eldest son, Yoo Kee. According to your testimony, Yoo Kee is a heartless man. Did the Governor realize that his son had a wicked character?"
"It is my duty to stress", Mrs. Yoo replied, "that until
his father's death, Yoo Kee behaved most correctly. I would never have dreamed that he was capable of such cruelty as he showed later. My husband always spoke to me kindly about Yoo Kee, he used to say that Yoo Kee was a diligent man and a great help to him in the administration of the family property. And Yoo Kee struck me as an exemplary son who tried to anticipate his father's every wish."
"Then, Madam", Judge Dee went on, "I would like you to give me a few names of the Governor's friends here in Lan-fang."
Mrs. Yoo hesitated. Then she answered:
"The Governor did not like company, Your Honour. He used to spend every morning out in the fields. In the afternoon he would enter the maze alone and stay there for an hour or so."
"Did you ever go inside?", the judge interrupted.
Mrs. Yoo shook her head.
"No", she said, "the Governor always said that it was too damp there. Afterwards he used to drink tea in the garden pavilion behind the mansion. He either read a book or worked on his paintings. I knew a Mrs. Lee, who is quite a gifted amateur painter. The Governor would often invite Mrs. Lee and myself to join him in the pavilion and discuss his pictures."
"Is Mrs. Lee still alive?" inquired the judge.
"Yes, I think so. Formerly she lived not far from our town mansion. She would often come to see me. She is a very kind lady who had the misfortune to lose her husband shortly after their marriage. I once met her when she was walking through the rice fields near our farm and she seemed to take a liking to me. After the Governor married me, she kept up our friendship, and my husband encouraged it.
He was so considerate, Your Honour! He understood that I, as the mistress of such a large mansion full of people I had not known before, would sometimes feel lonely. I know that it was for this reason that he encouraged Mrs. Lee to come often, although as a rule he did not like visitors."
"Did Mrs. Lee break off the relationship when the Governor died?", Judge Dee asked.
Mrs. Yoo blushed.
"No", she said, "it is entirely my fault that I did not see her again. After Yoo Kee had expelled me from the mansion I felt so humiliated and ashamed that I just went back to my father's farm. I have never been to see Mrs. Lee."
The judge saw that she was deeply moved. He asked hastily:
"Thus the Governor had no friends at all here in Lan-fang?"
Mrs. Yoo mastered herself. She nodded and said:
"My husband preferred to be alone. Once, however, he told me that somewhere in the mountains near this town there lived a very old and intimate friend of his."
Judge Dee leaned forward eagerly.
"Who was that, Madam?"
"The Governor never mentioned his name, but I received the impression that he had the greatest regard and affection for him."
Judge Dee's face fell.
"This is very important, Madam. Try to think back whether you cannot remember something more about that friend!"
Mrs. Yoo slowly drank her tea. Then she said:
"I remember now that he must have visited the Governor once, because that was rather a peculiar occurrence. My husband used to receive his tenant farmers once every month; everyone who had a complaint or who wanted advice could come to see him that day.
Once there was an old peasant waiting in the courtyard. As soon as the Governor had seen him he rushed to him and bowed deeply. He took that peasant straight to his library and remained closeted with him for several hours. I thought that that might have been the Governor's friend, probably a recluse. But I never asked."