The Chinese Maze Murders by Robert van Gulik Page B

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 ofthe 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.

    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 yourselves here tomorrow at noon sharp, uniform and equipment as per regulation!”
    The six men shouted “We obey!” and marched off.
    Judge Dee gave a sign. The constables led the prisoners to the jail where Tao Gan was waiting for them.
    Tao Gan noted down their names. The fifteenth and last was none other than the dismissed warden. Tao Gan’s face lit up in a broad grin.
    “You were quite right, you bastard! You are indeed back here earlier than I thought!”
    So speaking Tao Gan turned him round and send him back into his former cell with an accurately placed kick.
    In the main courtyard, the newly-made soldiers recruitedby Fang had shouldered their pikes, and marched off to the quarters of the guards.
    Judge Dee saw that they marched in good order. He said with a smile to Ma Joong:
    “That is not bad for one afternoon’s drill!”
    The judge came down the steps. Two constables closed the doors of the reception hall. Sergeant Hoong emerged loaded with old pans, kettles and rusty chains.
    Judge Dee remarked:
    “You have a fine commanding voice, Sergeant!”
    Early next morning when the sun