Saying this, So Too placed the unfolded tablets in my hand, and then dropped off into a gentle doze.
I scanned the list with mingled awe and curiosity. It read as follows:
| THE LIST ITSELF. ALL BY ITSELF. | ||
| OF AND NOTHING ELSE. | ||
| ONLY THE JUST JUDGES. ALL BY THEMSELVES. | ||
| FOLLOWED BY NOTHING ELSE. | ||
| I. | Ling Boss, | A Just Judge. |
| II. | Quong Chong, | A Just Judge. |
| III. | Poo Pooh, | A Just Judge. |
| IV. | Wah Sat, | A Just Judge. |
| V. | Lung Tung, | A Just Judge. |
| VI. | Keen Chop, | A Just Judge. |
| The List of Just Judges. And Nothing Else. | ||
Thinking that So Too was sleeping soundly, I half unconsciously murmured to myself, as I glanced at the first name on the list: “Ling Boss, a just judge!” When to my great surprise—which, however, I was careful not to show—So Too, without opening his eyes spoke as follows:
“Aye, a just judge; a very just judge; but a dangerous one; neck too short, too much blood—hence, brain too hot—never willing to hear both sides; a good judge for him who speaks first before the blood begins to press upon his brain, a bad judge for a long cause.”
“Quong Chong?” I repeated inquiringly.
“A just judge,” replied So Too, “an extremely just judge, but too tall and thin; not blood enough for his long body; brain too far away from heart; cold and merciless; does not eat enough, only a little fish; a good judge for a very bad man.”
“Poo Pooh?” I suggested, in a low tone.
“A just judge, a thoroughly just judge,” continued So Too, “but not to be trusted; laughs too easily; too much given to making puns; always ready to deal out death to a solemn-visaged man; only too happy to sentence a man to death if he can make a pun with his name and the axe or block or something belonging to the executioner.”
“Wah Sat?” I asked timorously.