"Dead?" said the startled Tarling.
The Chinaman nodded.
"Did you kill him?"
Again Ling Chu paused and puffed a cloud of cigarette smoke into the air.
"He was dying for many days, so the doctor at the big hospital told me. I hit his head once or twice, but not very hard. He cut me a little with a knife, but it was nothing."
"Sam Stay is dead, eh?" said Tarling thoughtfully. "Well, that removes a source of danger to Miss Rider, Ling Chu."
The Chinaman smiled.
"It removes many things, master, because before this man died, his head became good."
"You mean he was sane?"
"He was sane, master," said Ling Chu, "and he wished to speak to paper. So the big doctor at the hospital sent for a judge, or one who sits in judgment."