The Chinese Nail Murders by Robert van Gulik

Author:Robert van Gulik
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9789085241522
Publisher: For the Benefit of Mr. Kite
Published: 1960-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

12

JUDGE DEE GOES TO VISIT MEDICINE HILL; A WOMAN DEFIES THE ORDERS OF THE TRIBUNAL

As soon as the door had closed behind the coroner, Judge Dee threw the document down on his desk. Folding his arms he sat there, trying in vain to sort out the confused thoughts that were turning around in his mind.

At last he rose and changed into his hunting dress. A little exercise would perhaps help to clear his brain. He told the groom to bring his favorite horse, and rode out.

First he galloped a few times around the old drill ground. Then he entered the main street, and left the city by the North Gate. He made his horse step slowly through the snow to where the road went down the hill into the vast, white plain. He saw that the sky was leaden, it looked like another snowfall.

On the right two large stones marked the beginning of the narrow path that led up the crag known as Medicine Hill. The judge decided to climb up there, and go home after that exercise. He rode up the path to where it became a steep ascent, then dismounted. He patted his horse on its neck, and tied the reins to the stump of a tree.

About to begin the climb he suddenly halted. There were fresh marks of small feet in the snow. He debated with himself whether he should go on. Finally he shrugged his shoulders, and began the ascent.

The top of the crag was bare but for one tree, a winter plum. Its black branches were covered with small red buds. Near the wooden balustrade at the other end a woman clad in a gray fur coat was digging in the snow with a small trowel. As she heard the crunching of the snow under Judge Dee’s heavy boots, she righted herself. She quickly put the trowel in the basket at her feet, and bowed deeply.

“I see,” the judge said, “that you are gathering the Moon Herb.”

Mrs Kuo nodded. The fur hood set off her delicate face admirably.

“I have not been very lucky, Your Honor,” she said with a smile, “I have only gathered this much!” She pointed to the bundle of plants in the basket.

“I came up here for a little exercise,” Judge Dee said. “I wanted to clear my thoughts, for the murder of Master Lan is weighing heavily on my mind.”

Mrs Kuo’s face suddenly fell. Pulling her cloak close around her she murmured:

“It’s incredible. He was so strong and healthy.”

“Even the strongest man is defenseless against poison,” the judge remarked dryly. “I have a definite clue to the person who committed that treacherous deed.”

Mrs Kuo’s eyes grew wide.

“Who was that man, Your Honor?” she asked in a scarcely audible voice.

“I didn’t say it was a man,” Judge Dee said quickly.

She slowly shook her small head.

“It must have been,” she said firmly. “I saw the master often because he was my husband’s friend. He was always very kind and courteous, also to me, but one still felt that his attitude toward women was…different.

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