The Phantom of the Temple by Van Gulik Robert

Author:Van Gulik, Robert
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-03-30T13:05:29+00:00

THE THIRD LADY RECEIVES MRS WOO

that she was standing between him and me as man and wife, and that he'd better marry her off as quickly as possible. And that was the beginning of endless squabbles.'

She shrugged and went on : 'Now, husbands and wives will quarrel from time to time; that can't be helped. But when I smelled out that Jade had a boyfriend, I thought it my duty to warn my husband; and then the fat was in the fire! And even that was nothing compared with the row he made when the wench eloped with her lover. Woo shouted at me that I had murdered her, and hidden her dead body! After he had calmed down a bit, he realized he had been talking nonsense, of course. But then he developed the theory that I had had her kidnapped, to be sold to a brothel! I ask you!'

'Don't let your tea get cold,' the Third Lady said quietly, pushing the cup towards her guest. Mrs Woo gulped the tea down.

'Well, I denied that crazy accusation till I was blue in the face, but he wouldn't believe me. It so happened that I was away the night she vanished, you see. Had to see an old acquaintance.'

'Wouldn't it be the best proof of your innocence if you told your husband the name of his daughter's boyfriend, and where they went to ? '

Judge Dee smiled. She was doing very well.

'If I'd known that, I would've told him at once!' Mrs Woo replied curtly. 'She made eyes at a Mr Yang, her father's secretary. But Yang is a decent young fellow, he feigned not to notice the wench. No, there must have been another man, but I never found out who it was. Her father gave her far too much freedom. Trust those modern young girls to handle their little affairs cleverly!'

'Well, couldn't you ask your friend to tell your husband you had been with him?' the Third Lady asked sweetly.

Mrs Woo shot her a suspicious glance. 'Well,' she replied slowly, 'to tell you the truth, Mr Yang had invited me. He's a man of the world, and he had noticed that my life was very dull. So he invited me for a bite in a place he knew. All above board, of course. But if my husband knew, he'd have a fit. He is a very fine man, but rather old-fashioned, you see.'

Mrs Woo heaved a sigh. Then she went on quickly : 'I shall be brief. This morning my husband suddenly told me he was going to take steps about Jade's disappearance. After nearly six whole months, mind you! Your husband the judge summoned him, I suppose?'

'That I really couldn't tell you, Mrs Woo. At home the judge never talks about official matters.'

'Wise man! Anyway, Woo had Lee Mai called. That's his best friend, a banker and gold-merchant. A bit pompous, but not a bad fellow. They rushed off to the tribunal together. Now I hope that

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