Part 10 (1/2)

Dr. Ito's source of information about foreign science! The letter beneath Sano's sash seemed to expand. To cover his eagerness, he said quickly, oWhat sort of relations.h.i.+ps did the barbarians have with Director Spaen? Were they friendly? Did they have any disagreements?

Ohira frowned. oThe law prohibits my forming a close acquaintance with barbarians. I'm not in a position to know how they feel about one another. And I can a.s.sure you that they always behave civilly in my presence. I don't tolerate unruliness.

oThe barbarians try not to let us interpreters overhear anything important, Iis.h.i.+no said. oBut sometimes they fail. He pantomimed listening at a door. oI once heard Spaen and a.s.sistant Director deGraeff arguing about ~private trade.' I don't know what that meant, because they saw me and stopped talking.

oAnd Dr. Huygens? Sano said.

oHe takes meals with the others and treats them when they're sick, but otherwise he keeps to himself.

oThis is where a.s.sistant Director deGraeff lives, Ohira announced.

Sano followed Ohira up to the balcony of a house near the west guard station, glad to learn of Spaen's acrimonious relations with at least one comrade. So much the easier to implicate a barbarian in the crime. Only the thought of the Dutch s.h.i.+p dampened Sano's rising spirits. How would the barbarian crew react to news of Spaen's murder?

Guards admitted Sano, Ohira, and Iis.h.i.+no to an office whose basic layout resembled Director Spaen's. But the walls were bare, the floor uncluttered. Stacked ledgers stood on the desk, edges perfectly aligned. The only personal item visible was a small framed picture, turned facedown. Two more guards and a servant kept watch over a.s.sistant Director deGraeff, who sat at the desk, spine straight, writing with an inked goose quill. He wore a brown coat, black knee-length trousers, stockings, and shoes, and a wide-collared white s.h.i.+rt. His stench permeated the hot, stuffy atmosphere.

oThe honorable investigator will speak with you now! Chief Ohira barked at the Dutchman.

Interpreter Iis.h.i.+no translated. The guards yanked the barbarian out of his seat and shoved him onto the floor, shouting, oBow down!

The barbarian prostrated himself. Alarmed by the tone Des.h.i.+ma's staff had set for the interview, Sano said, oPlease get up and return to your seat. This man was a representative of the powerful nation whose s.h.i.+p waited offsh.o.r.e, and Sano saw nothing to be gained from antagonizing witnesses. When the barbarian had resumed his place, Sano eyed him cautiously.

Tall and spare, a.s.sistant Director deGraeff had lank gray hair that fell to his shoulders. Gray stubble shadowed his face, which was long and narrow, with a pointed nose, thin mouth, and deeply cleft chin. A craggy brow overhung his wary gray eyes.

Sano introduced himself, then said, oI'm sorry to bring you bad news. Director Jan Spaen is dead.

The barbarian looked to Iis.h.i.+no, who translated. Sano hated this tedious method of communication. Uneasily he wondered whether he could trust the officious interpreter not to twist his words, or the barbarian's.

DeGraeff clasped his hands and bowed his head over them, remaining silent for a moment before he spoke.

oHe thanks you for the information, Iis.h.i.+no said. oHe will a.s.sume Director Spaen's responsibilities at once, so that trade may proceed without interruption.

Now Sano found an unexpected advantage in not knowing the suspect's language. Without the distraction of words, he could concentrate on deGraeff's expression and tone of voice while the barbarian spoke. Before deGraeff averted his eyes in prayer, Sano had glimpsed an odd look in them: shock, or elation? Sano thought it significant that deGraeff hadn't asked the obvious question: How did Spaen die?

oDirector Spaen was murdered, Sano said. oHis killer must be caught and punished. Therefore, I must ask you some questions.

DeGraeff listened to the translation, nodded, replied. oHe'll cooperate fully, Iis.h.i.+no said. He spoke to deGraeff in Dutch, then said to Sano, oI told the barbarian that he should tell us everything he knows right now. If he refuses, he'll be beaten. Smiling, he waited for Sano's approval.

Resisting Iis.h.i.+no's attempt to lead the interrogation, Sano addressed deGraeff. oI understand that you haven't eaten all day. I apologize for your discomfort. Food will be brought to you soon. To Iis.h.i.+no: oTell him what I said. And from now on, I'll ask the questions.

Iis.h.i.+no's mouth formed a circle of surprise. oBut ssakan-sama ”

oJust do it! Sano said, exasperated by the constant interference. Would that he spoke Dutch, and could manage without Iis.h.i.+no! While the interpreter translated, Sano told the servant, oBring the food, and be quick.

The servant rushed from the room. Ohira and the guards eyed Sano with disapproval. oYou are very kind to the barbarian, Ohira said in an accusing tone. oIs that wise?

Sano remembered the oath he'd taken, and wondered uneasily whether feeding a hungry man could be misconstrued as promoting Dutch interests over j.a.panese. Another wrong step, so soon after placating the s.h.i.+p's crew? But he read in the barbarians strange, pale eyes the relief that here at last was a reasonable, compa.s.sionate j.a.panese official. Perhaps deGraeff would cooperate out of grat.i.tude.

oWhen and where did you last see Jan Spaen? Sano asked.

The barbarian spoke, and Iis.h.i.+no translated: oAt sunset last night, during our evening meal in the common room.