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, Iishino 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 Iishino'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 Iishino: oTell him what I said. And from now on, I'll ask the questions.
Iishino'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 Iishino! 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 Japanese. Another wrong step, so soon after placating the ship's crew? But he read in the barbarians strange, pale eyes the relief that here at last was a reasonable, compassionate Japanese official. Perhaps deGraeff would cooperate out of gratitude.
oWhen and where did you last see Jan Spaen? Sano asked.
The barbarian spoke, and Iishino translated: oAt sunset last night, during our evening meal in the common room.
oWhat did you and your comrades do after the meal?
oI went to my chambers, and assumed the others went to theirs. It was the usual routine. There was a bad storm, so I stayed in all night.
Even without understanding Dutch, Sano couldn't mistake the barbarian's weary, rehearsed tone: DeGraeff must have answered these same questions many times. oDid you see or hear anything unusual outside?
oNothing except the rain and thunder.
oDid you know Director Spaen had left Deshima, or where he was going?
oNo, he didn't tell me, Iishino translated as deGraeff leaned his head on his bony hand.
oHow long had you known Director Spaen? Sano asked, oand what was your relationship with him?
The barbarian spoke, eyes devoid of emotion. oThey met ten years ago, in Batavia, Indonesia, Iishino said. oDeGraeff was a clerk for the East India Company, and Spaen was an assistant trade director then. They traded European goods for spices, then sold the spices around the world. The company was pleased with their profits. They were promoted and assigned to Japan.
oWere you and Spaen on friendly terms?
DeGraeff's smile bordered on a sneer. Beneath his courtesy, Sano detected a harsh, uncompromising nature, an antipathy toward people in general. oOf course. Otherwise, we wouldn't have asked the company to keep us together when we left Indonesia.
oWhat is ~private trade'? Sano asked.
If this question surprised deGraeff, he didn't show it. His gaze remained steady, his body still. oEast India Company agents often buy and sell goods independently when they go on voyages, financing the ventures themselves. That is private trade.
oYou use your employer's ships to transport these goods and it's trade networks to distribute them? Free of charge, while competing with the company? To Sano, this sounded highly dubious, if not illegal: oDoesn't this violate it's monopoly on East Indies trade?
oWe must compensate ourselves for the low salaries the company pays us.
Now Sano saw a possible motive for Spaen's murder. oDid you and Director Spaen profit from your private trade?
This time the barbarian paused between Iishino's translation and his own reply, though his expression didn't change. oYes. But
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, Iishino 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 Iishino'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 Iishino: oTell him what I said. And from now on, I'll ask the questions.
Iishino'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 Iishino! 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 Japanese. Another wrong step, so soon after placating the ship's crew? But he read in the barbarians strange, pale eyes the relief that here at last was a reasonable, compassionate Japanese official. Perhaps deGraeff would cooperate out of gratitude.
oWhen and where did you last see Jan Spaen? Sano asked.
The barbarian spoke, and Iishino translated: oAt sunset last night, during our evening meal in the common room.
oWhat did you and your comrades do after the meal?
oI went to my chambers, and assumed the others went to theirs. It was the usual routine. There was a bad storm, so I stayed in all night.
Even without understanding Dutch, Sano couldn't mistake the barbarian's weary, rehearsed tone: DeGraeff must have answered these same questions many times. oDid you see or hear anything unusual outside?
oNothing except the rain and thunder.
oDid you know Director Spaen had left Deshima, or where he was going?
oNo, he didn't tell me, Iishino translated as deGraeff leaned his head on his bony hand.
oHow long had you known Director Spaen? Sano asked, oand what was your relationship with him?
The barbarian spoke, eyes devoid of emotion. oThey met ten years ago, in Batavia, Indonesia, Iishino said. oDeGraeff was a clerk for the East India Company, and Spaen was an assistant trade director then. They traded European goods for spices, then sold the spices around the world. The company was pleased with their profits. They were promoted and assigned to Japan.
oWere you and Spaen on friendly terms?
DeGraeff's smile bordered on a sneer. Beneath his courtesy, Sano detected a harsh, uncompromising nature, an antipathy toward people in general. oOf course. Otherwise, we wouldn't have asked the company to keep us together when we left Indonesia.
oWhat is ~private trade'? Sano asked.
If this question surprised deGraeff, he didn't show it. His gaze remained steady, his body still. oEast India Company agents often buy and sell goods independently when they go on voyages, financing the ventures themselves. That is private trade.
oYou use your employer's ships to transport these goods and it's trade networks to distribute them? Free of charge, while competing with the company? To Sano, this sounded highly dubious, if not illegal: oDoesn't this violate it's monopoly on East Indies trade?
oWe must compensate ourselves for the low salaries the company pays us.
Now Sano saw a possible motive for Spaen's murder. oDid you and Director Spaen profit from your private trade?
This time the barbarian paused between Iishino's translation and his own reply, though his expression didn't change. oYes. But
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