The Chinese Nail Murders by Van Gulik Robert

Author:Van Gulik, Robert
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-03-30T12:24:59+00:00

He spurred on his horse and rode to die street where Pan Feng lived. It struck him again how desolate that part of the city was. Even at this hour, when the time for the evening meal was drawing near, the street was completely deserted.

The judge descended in front of Pan's compound and fastened the reins of his horse to the iron ring in the wall. He had to knock on the door many times with the handle of his whip before Pan came to open it.

He looked very surprised when he saw the judge. Leading him to the hall he apologized profusely that there was no fire. He said: "I'll bring here immediately the brazier from my workshop!" "Don't bother," Judge Dee said, "we can have our talk there. I always like to see the rooms where people work."

"But it is in terrible disorder!" Pan cried out. "I had just begun sorting my things out!"

"Don't worry," the judge said curtly. "Lead the way." Upon entering he saw that the small atelier was indeed looking more than ever like a lumber room. A number of larger and smaller porcelain vases stood about on the floor together with two packing cases, and the table was littered with books, boxes and packages. But the coal in the copper brazier was glowing and kept the small room well heated.

Pan helped the judge to take off his heavy fur coat, and made him sit down on the stool next to the brazier. While the curio-dealer scurried to the kitchen to prepare the tea, Judge Dee looked curiously at the heavy chopping knife that was lying on the table, on an oily rag. Evidently Pan had been busy cleaning it when the judge knocked on the door. His eyes fell on a larger square object standing by the side of the table, covered with a piece of wet

cloth. He was just going to lift the cloth in idle curiosity when Pan entered.

"Don't touch it!" he called out.

As Judge Dee shot him an astonished look, Pan hurriedly explained:

"That is a small lacquer table I am repairing, Your Honor. Wet lacquer should not be touched with bare hands, it will cause a violent skin infection."

Judge Dee vaguely remembered having heard about the painful effects of lacquer poisoning. While Pan filled the cups, he said:

"That seems a beautiful cleaver you have there!"

Pan took the large knife up, and carefully felt the edge of the blade with his thumb.

"Yes," he said, "it's more than five hundred years old. It was used to kill the sacrificial oxen in the temple. But the blade is still perfect."

Judge Dee sipped his tea. He noticed how still it was in the house; he did not hear a sound.

"I regret," he said suddenly, "that I must ask you an awkward question. The man who murdered your wife knew beforehand that you were going to leave town. Your wife must have told him that. Do you have any indication that she had relations with another man?"

Pan Feng grew pale.

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