第1章

INTRODUCTIONTOJOEMULLER JosephMuller，SecretServicedetectiveoftheImperialAustrianpolice，isoneofthegreatexpertsinhisprofession。Inpersonalityhediffersgreatlyfromotherfamousdetectives。HehasneithertheimpressiveauthorityofSherlockHolmes，northekeenbrilliancyofMonsieurLecoq。Mullerisasmall，slight，plain—lookingman，ofindefiniteage，andofmuchhumblenessofmien。Anaturallyretiring，modestdisposition，andtwoexternalcausesarethereasonsforMuller’shumblenessofmanner，whichishischiefcharacteristic。Onecauseisthefactthatinearlyyouthamiscarriageofjusticegavehimseveralyearsinprison，anexperiencewhichcastastigmaonhisnameandwhichmadeitimpossibleforhim，formanyyearsafter，toobtainhonestemployment。Buttheworldisricher，andsafer，byMuller’searlymisfortune。Foritwasthisexperiencewhichthrewhimbackonhisownpeculiartalentsforalivelihood，anddrovehimintothepoliceforce。Hadhebeenabletoenteranyotherprofession，hisgeniusmighthavebeenstuntedtoamerepastime，insteadofbeing，asnow，utilisedforthepublicgood。 Then，theredtapeandbureaucraticetiquettewhichattachestoeverygovernmentaldepartment，putsthesecretservicemenoftheImperialpoliceonaparwiththelowerranksofthesubordinates。 Muller’sofficialrankisscarcelymuchhigherthanthatofapoliceman，althoughkingsandcouncillorsconsulthimandthePoliceDepartmentrealisestothefullwhatatreasureithasinhim。Butofficialredtape，andhisearlymisfortune……preventthegivingofanyhigherofficialstandingtoevensuchagenius。 Bornandbredtosuchconditions，Mullerunderstandsthem，andhisnaturalmodestyofdispositionasksfornooutwardhonours，asksfornothingbutanincomesufficientforhissimpleneeds，andforaidandopportunitytooccupyhimselfinthewayhemostenjoys。 JosephMuller’scharacterisastrangemixture。Thekindest—heartedmanintheworld，heisahumanbloodhoundwhenoncethelureofthetrailhascaughthim。Hescarcelyeatsorsleepswhenthechaseison，hedoesnotseemtoknowhumanweaknessnorfatigue，inspiteofhisfrailbody。Onceputonacasehisminddelvesanddelvesuntilitfindsaclue，thensomethingawakeswithinhim，aspiritakintothatwhichholdsthebloodhoundnosetotrail，andhewillaccomplishtheapparentlyimpossible，hewilltrackdownhisvictimwhentheentiremachineryofagreatpolicedepartmentseemshelplesstodiscoveranything。 ThehighchiefsandcommissionersgrantacondescendingpermissionwhenMullerasks，\"MayIdothis？……ormayIhandlethiscasethisway？\"bothpartiesknowingallthewhilethatitisafarce，andthatthedepartmentwaitshelplessuntilthishumblelittlemansavesitshonourbysolvingsomeproblembeforewhichitsintricatemachineryhasstooddazedandpuzzled。 ThiscallofthetrailissomethingthatisstrongerthananythingelseinMuller’smentality，andnowandthenitbringshimintoconflictwiththedepartment，……orwithhisownbetternature。 Sometimeshisunerringinstinctdiscoverssecretsinhighplaces，secretswhichthePoliceDepartmentisbiddentohushupandleaveuntouched。Mulleristhentakenoffthecase，andleftidleforawhileifhepersistsinhisopinionastothetruefacts。Andatothertimes，Muller’sownwarmheartgetshimintotrouble。Hewilltrackdownhisvictim，drivenbythepowerinhissoulwhichisstrongerthanallvolition；butwhenhehasthisvictiminthenet，hewillsometimesdiscoverhimtobeamuchfiner，bettermanthantheotherindividual，whosewrongatthisparticularcriminal’shandsetinmotionthemachineryofjustice。SeveraltimesthathashappenedtoMuller，andeachtimehisheartgotthebetterofhisprofessionalinstincts，ofhispracticalcommon—sense，too，perhaps，……atleastasfarashisownadvancementwasconcerned，andhewarnedthevictim，defeatinghisownwork。ThispeculiarityofMuller’scharactercausedhisundoingatlast，hisofficialundoingthatis，andcompelledhisretirementfromtheforce。ButhisadviceisoftensoughtunofficiallybytheDepartment，andtothosewhoknow，Muller’shandcanbeseenintheunravellingofmanyafamouscase。 Thefollowingstoriesarebutafewofthemanyinterestingcasesthathavecomewithintheexperienceofthisgreatdetective。 ButtheygiveafairportrayalofMuller’speculiarmethodofworking，hislookingonhimselfasmerelyanhumblememberoftheDepartment，andthecomedyofhisactingunder\"officialorders\" whentheDepartmentisinrealityfollowingouthisdirections。 THECASEOFTHEREGISTEREDLETTER byGraceIsabelColbronandAugustaGroner\"Oh，sir，savehimifyoucan—savemypoornephew！Iknowheisinnocent！\" Thelittleoldladysankbackinherchair，gazingupatCommissionervonRiedauwithtear—dimmedeyesfullofhelplessappeal。Thecommissionerlookedthoughtful。\"Butthecaseisinthehandsofthelocalauthorities，Madam，\"heansweredgently，astrainofpityinhisvoice。\"Idon’texactlyseehowwecouldinterfere。\" \"ButtheybelieveAlbertguilty！Theyhaven’tgivenhimachance！\" \"Hecannotbesentencedwithoutsufficientproofofhisguilt。\" \"Butthetrial，thehorribletrial—itwillkillhim—hisheartisweak。Ithought—Ithoughtyoumightsendsomeone—someoneofyourdetectives—tofindoutthetruthofthecase。YoumusthavethebestpeoplehereinVienna。Oh，mypoorAlbert—\" Hervoicediedawayinasuppressedsob，andshecoveredherfacetokeepbackthetears。 Thecommissionerpressedabellonhisdesk。\"IsDetectiveJosephMulleranywhereaboutthebuilding？\"heaskedoftheattendantwhoappearedatthedoor。 \"Ithinkheis，sir。Isawhimcomeinnotlongago。\" \"Askhimtocomeuptothisroom。SayIwouldliketospeaktohim。\" Theattendantwentout。 \"Ihavesentforoneofthebestmenonourforce，Madam，\"continuedthecommissioner，turningbacktothepatheticlittlefigureinthechair。\"Wewillgointothismatteralittlemoreindetailandseeifitispossibleforustointerferewiththeworkofthelocal，authoritiesinG—\" Thelittleoldladygavehereyesalasthastydabwithadaintyhandkerchiefandraisedherheadagain，fightingforself—control。 Shewasaquaintlittlefigure，withsoftgreyhairdrawnbacksmoothlyfromagentle—featuredfaceinwhicheachwrinkleseemedthesealofsomelovingthoughtforothers。Herbonnetandgownwereofexcellentmaterialindelicatesoftcolours，butcutinthestyleofanearlierdecade。Thecapablelinesofherthinlittlehandsshowedthroughthefabricofhergreygloves。Herwholeattitudeboretheimpressofonewhohadadventuredfarbeyondthecustomaryroutineofherhomecircle，adventuredoutintotheworldinfearandtrembling，impelledbythestressofagreatlove。 Aknockwasheardatthedoor，andasmall，slightman，withakind，smooth—shavenface，enteredatthecommissioner’scall。\"Yousentforme，sir？\"heasked。 \"Yes，Muller，thereisamatterhereinwhichIneedyouradvice，yourassistance，perhaps。ThisisDetectiveMuller，Miss—\"（thecommissionerpickedupthecardonhisdesk）\"MissGraumann。Ifyouwilltellusnow，moreindetail，allthatyoucantellusaboutthiscase，wemaybeabletohelpyou。\" \"Oh，ifyouwould，\"murmuredMissGraumann，withsomethingmoreofhopeinhervoice。Theexpressionofsympatheticinterestonthefaceofthenewcomerhadalreadywonherconfidenceforhim。Herslightfigurestraightenedupinthechair，andthetwomensatdownoppositeher，preparedtolistentoherstory。 \"IwilltellyouallIknowandunderstandaboutthismatter，gentlemen，\"shebegan。\"MynameisBabetteGraumann，andIlivewithmynephew，AlbertGraumann，engineeringexpert，inthevillageofGrunau，whichisnotfarfromthecityofG—。MynephewAlbert，thedearest，truest—\"sobsthreatenedtoovercomeheragain，butshemasteredthembravely。\"Albertisnowinprison，accusedofthemurderofhisfriend，JohnSiders，inthelatter’slodgingsinG—。\" \"Yes，thatisthegistofwhatyouhavealreadytoldme，\"saidthecommissioner。\"Muller，MissGraumannbelieveshernephewinnocent，contrarytotheopinionofthelocalauthoritiesinG—。Shehascometoaskforsomeonefromherewhocouldferretoutthetruthofthismatter。Youarefreenow，andifwefindthatitcanbedonewithoutoffendingthelocalauthorities—\" \"WhoisthecommissionerinchargeofthecaseinG—？\"askedMuller。 \"CommissionerLangeishisname，Ibelieve，\"repliedMissGraumann。 \"H’m！\"Mullerandthecommissionerexchangedglances。 \"Ithinkwecanventuretohearmoreofthis，\"saidthecommissioner，asifinanswertotheirunspokenthought。\"Canyougiveusthedetailsnow，Madam？Whois，orratherwhowas，thisJohnSiders？\" \"JohnSiderscametoourvillagealittleoverayearago，\"continuedMissGraumann。\"HecamefromChicago；hetoldus，althoughhewasevidentlyaGermanbybirth。Heboughtanicelittlepieceofproperty，notfarfromourhome，andsettleddownthere。Hewasaquietmanandmadefewfriends，butheseemedtotaketoAlbertandcametoseeusfrequently。AlberthadspentsomeyearsinAmerica，inChicago，andSiderslikedtotalktohimaboutthingsandpeoplethere。ButonedaySiderssuddenlysoldhispropertyandmovedtoG—。 Twoweekslaterhewasfounddeadinhislodgingsinthecity，murdered，andnow—nowtheyhaveaccusedAlbertofthecrime。\" \"Onwhatgrounds？—oh，Ibegyourpardon，sir；Ididnotmean—\" \"That’sallright，Muller，\"saidthecommissioner。\"Asyoumayhavetoundertakethecase，youmightaswellbegintodothequestioningnow。 \"Theysay\"—MissGraumann’svoicequavered—\"theysaythatAlbertwasthelastpersonknowntohavebeeninSider’sroom；theysaythatitwashisrevolver，foundintheroom。Thatisthedreadfulpartofit—itwashisrevolver。Heacknowledgesit，buthedidnotknow，untilthepoliceshowedittohim，thattheweaponwasnotinitsusualplaceinhisstudy。Theytellmethateverythingspeaksforhisguilt，butIcannotbelieveit—Icannot。Hesaysheisinnocentinspiteofeverything。Ibelievehim。Ibroughthimup，sir；Iwaslikehisownmothertohim。Heneverknewanyothermother。Heneverliedtome，notonce，whenhewasalittleboy，andIdon’tbelievehe’dlietomenow，nowthathe’samanofforty—five。HesayshedidnotkillJohnSiders。Oh，Iknow，evenwithouthissayingit，thathewouldnotdosuchathing。\" \"Canyoutellusanythingmoreaboutthemurderitself？\"questionedMullergently。\"Isthereanypossibilityofsuicide？Orwastherearobbery？\" \"Theysayitwasnosuicide，sir，andthattherewasalargesumofmoneymissing。ButwhyshouldAlberttakeanyoneelse’smoney？ Hehasmoneyofhisown，andheearnsagoodincomebesides—wehaveallthatweneed。Oh，itissomedreadfulmistake！Thereisthenewspaperaccountofthediscoveryofthebody。PerhapsMr。 Mullermightliketoreadthat。\"Shepointedtoasheetofnewspaperonthedesk。ThecommissionerhandedittoMuller。Itwasaneveningpaper，datedG—，September24th，anditgaveanelaborateaccount，inprovincialjournalese，ofthediscoverythatmorningofthebodyofJohnSiders，evidentlymurdered，inhislodgings。Themainfactstobegatheredfromthelong—windedstorywereasfollows： JohnSidershadrentedtheroomsinwhichhemethisdeathabouttendaysbefore，payingamonth’srentinadvance。Thelodgingsconsistedoftworoomsinalittlehouseinaquietstreet。Itwasastreetofsimpletwo—story，oneandtwofamilydwellings，occupiedbyartisansandsmalltradespeople。Thereweremanyopenspaces，gardensandvacantlotsinthestreet。ThehouseinwhichSiderslodgedbelongedtoatravellingsalesmanbythenameofWinter。Themanwasawayfromhomeagreatdeal，andhiswife，withherchildandanoldservant，livedinthelowerpartofthehouse，whiletheroomsoccupiedbySiderswereintheupperstory。Siderslivedveryquietly，goingoutfrequentlyintheafternoon，butreturningearlyintheevening。HehadsaidtohislandladythathehadmanyfriendsinG—。Butduringthetimeofhisstayinthehousehehadhadbutonecaller，agentlemanwhocameontheeveningofthe23rdofSeptember。TheoldmaidhadopenedthedoorforhimandshowedhimtoMr。Siders’rooms。Shedescribedthisvisitorashavingafullblackbeard，andwearingabroad—brimmedgreyfelthat。Nobodysawthemangoout，fortheoldmaid，theonlypersoninthehouseatthetime，hadretiredearly。Mrs。Winterandherlittlegirlwerespendingthenightwiththeformer’smotherinadistantpartofthecity。Thenextmorningtheoldservant，takingthelodger’scoffeeuptohimattheusualhour，foundhimdeadonthefloorofhissitting—room，shotthroughtheheart。Thewomanranscreamingfromthehouseandalarmedtheneighbours。Apolicemanatthecornerheardthenoise，andledthecrowduptotheroomwherethedeadmanlay。Itwasplaintobeseenthatthiswasnotacaseofsuicide。Everywhereweresignsofaterriblestruggle。Thefurniturewasoverturned，thedressing—tableandthecupboardwereopenandtheircontentsscatteredonthefloor，oneofthewindowcurtainswastornintostrips，asifthevictimhadbeentryingtoescapebywayofthewindow，buthadbeendraggedbackintotheroombyhismurderer。Anoverturnedinkbottleonthetablehadspatteredwide，andaddedtothegeneralconfusion。Inthemidstofthedisorderlaythebodyofthemurderedman，nowcoldintherigourofdeath。 Thepolicecommissionerarrivedsoon，tookpossessionoftherooms，andmadeathoroughexaminationofthepremises。Aletterfoundonthedeskgaveanotherproof，ifsuchwereneeded，thatthiswasnotacaseofsuicide。Thisletterwasinthehandwritingofthedeadman，andreadasfollows： DearFriend： Iappreciategreatlyallthekindnessshownmebyyourselfandyourgoodwife。IhavebeenmoresuccessfulthanIthoughtpossibleinovercomingtheobstaclesyouknowof。Therefore，Ishallbeverygladtojoinyoudayafterto—morrow，Sunday，intheproposedexcursion。Iwillcallforyouat8A。M。—thecabandthechampagnewillbemyshareofthetrip。We’llhaveajollydayanddrinkaglassortwotoourplansforthefuture。 Withbestgreetingsforbothofyou，Youroldfriend，JohnG—，Friday，Sept。23rd。 Anenvelope，notyetaddressed，laybesidethisletter。Itwasclearthatthemanwhopennedthesewordshadnothoughtofsuicide。 Onthecontrary，hewaslookingforwardtoadayofpleasureinthenearfuture，andlayingplansforthetimetocome。Themurderer’sbullethadpiercedaheartpulsingwiththejoyoflife。 Thiswasthegistoftheaccountin。theeveningpaper。Mullerreaditthroughcarefully，lingeringoverseveralpointswhichseemedtointeresthimparticularly。ThenheturnedtoMissBabetteGraumann。\"Andthenwhathappened？\"heasked。 \"ThenthePoliceCommissionercametoGrunauandquestionedmynephew。TheyhadfoundoutthatAlbertwasMr。Siders’onlyfriendhere。AndlatethateveningtheMayorandtheCommissionercametoourhousewiththerevolvertheyhadfoundintheroominG—，andthey—they—\"hervoicetrembledagain，\"theyarrestedmydearboyandtookhimaway。\" \"Haveyouvisitedhiminprison？Whatdoeshesayaboutithimself？\" \"Heseemsquitehopeless。Hesaysthatheisinnocent—oh，Iknowheis—buteverythingisagainsthim。HeacknowledgesthatitwashewhowasinMr。Siders’roomtheeveningbeforethemurder。HewenttherebecauseSiderswrotehimtocome。Hesaysheleftearly，andthatJohnactedqueerly。Heknowstheywillnotbelievehisstory。Thisworryandanxietywillkillhim。Hehasaserioushearttrouble；hehassufferedfromitforyears，andithasbeengrowingsteadilyworse。Idarenotthinkwhatthisexcitementmaydoforhim。\"MissGraumannbrokedownagainandsobbedaloud。Mullerlaidhishandssoothinglyonthelittleoldfingersthatgrippedthearmofthechair。 \"Didyournephewsendyouheretoaskforhelp？\"heinquiredverygently。 \"Oh，no\"Theoldladylookedupathimthroughhertears。\"No，hewouldnothavedonethat。I’mafraidthathe’llbeangryifheknowsthatIhavecome。Heseemedsohopeless，sodazed。Ijustcouldn’tstandit。ItseemedtomethatthepoliceinG—weretakingthingsforgranted，andjustsittingtherewaitingforaninnocentmantoconfess，insteadoflookingfortherealmurderer，whomaybegone，theLordknowswhere，bynow！\"MissGraumann’sfadedcheeksflushedadelicatepink，andshestraightenedupinherchairagain，whilehereyessnappeddefiancethroughthetearsthathungontheirlashes。 AfaintgleamtwinkledupinMuller’seyes，andhedidnotlookathischief。DoctorvonRiedau’sownfaceglowedinaslowlymountingflush，andhiseyesdroopedinamomentofconsciousembarrassmentatsomerecollection，thestingofwhichwasevidentlymadeworsebyMuller’spresence。ButCommissionervonRiedauhadbrainsenoughtoacknowledgehismistakesandtolearnfromthem。HelookedacrossthedeskatMissGraumann。\"Youareright，Madam，thepolicehavemadethatmistakemorethanonce。Andamanwithaclearrecorddeservesthebenefitofthedoubt。Wewilltakeupthiscase。 DetectiveMullerwillbeputinchargeofit。Andthatmeans，Madam，thatwearegivingyoutheverybestassistancetheImperialPoliceForceaffords。\" MissBabetteGraumanndidnotattempttospeak。Inawaveofemotionshestretchedoutbothlittlehandstothedetectiveandclaspedhiswarmly。\"Oh，thankyou，\"shesaidatlast。\"Ithankyou。He’sjustlikemyownboytome；he’sallthechildIeverhad，youknow。\" \"Buttherearedifficultiesintheway，\"continuedthecommissionerinabusiness—liketone。\"ThelocalauthoritiesinG—havenotaskedforourassistance，andwearetakingupthecaseovertheirheads，asitwere。IshallhavetoleavethattoMuller’sdiplomacy。 HewillcometoG—andhaveaninterviewwithyournephew。Thenhewillhavetousehisownjudgmentastothenextsteps，andastohowfarhemaygoinoppositiontowhathasbeendonebythepolicethere。\" \"AndthenImaygobackhome？\"askedMissGraumann。\"Gohomewiththeassurancethatyouwillhelpmypoorboy？\" \"Yes，youmaydependonus，Madam。Isthereanythingwecandoforyouhere？Areyoualoneinthecity？\" \"No，thankyou。Thereisafriendherewhowilltakecareofme。 ShewillputmeontheafternoonexpressbacktoG—。\" \"ItisverylikelythatIwilltakethattrainmyself，\"saidMuller。 \"Ifthereisanythingthatyouneedonthejourney，callonme。\" \"Oh，thankyou，Iwillindeed！Thankyouboth，gentlemen。Andnowgood—bye，andGodblessyou！\" ThecommissionerbowedandMullerheldthedooropenforMissGraumanntopassout。Therewassilenceintheroom，asthetwomenlookedafterthequaintlittlefigureslowlydescendingthestairs。 \"Abravelittlewoman，\"murmuredthecommissioner。 \"Itisnotonlythemotherinthefleshwhoknowswhatamother’sloveis，\"addedMuller。 NextmorningJosephMullerstoodinthecelloftheprisoninG— confrontingAlbertGraumann，accusedofthemurderofJohnSiders。 ThedetectivehadjustcomefromaratherdifficultinterviewwithCommissionerLange。Butthelatter，thoughnotabrilliantman，wasatleastgood—natured。Heacknowledgedtherightoftheaccusedandhisfamilytoaskforoutsideassistance，andagreedwithMullerthatitwasbettertohavesomeoneintheofficialservicebroughtin，ratherthanaprivatedetectivewhosework，initseventualresults，mightbringshameonthepolice。MullerexplainedthatMissGraumanndidnotwanthernephewtoknowthatitwasshewhohadaskedforaidinhisbehalf，andthatitcouldonlyredoundtohis，Lange’s，creditifitwereunderstoodthathehadsenttoViennaforexpertassistanceinthiscase。Itwouldbeaproofofhisconscientiousattentiontoduty，andwouldinsurepraiseforhim，whicheverwaythecaseturnedout。CommissionerLangesawtheforceofthisargument，andfinallygaveMullerpermissiontohandlethecaseashethoughtbest，ratherrelievedthanotherwiseforhisownpart。Thedetective’snexterrandwastotheprison，wherehenowstoodlookingupintothedeep—set，darkeyesofatall，broad—shouldered，black—beardedman，whohadarisenfromthecotathisentrance。AlbertGraumannhadastrong，self—reliantfaceandbearing。Hisnaturalexpressionwassomewhathardandstern，butitwastheexpressionofamanofintegrityandresponsibility。Mullerhadalreadymadesomeinquiriesastotheprisoner’sreputationandbusinessstandinginthecommunity，andallthathehadheardwasfavourable。AcertainhardnessandlackofamiabilityinGraumann’snaturemadeitdifficultforhimtowintheheartsofothers，butalthoughhewasnotgenerallyloved，hewasuniversallyrespected。 Throughthesignsofnaggingfear，sorrow，andill—health，printedclearlyonthefacebeforehim，Muller’skeeneyeslookeddownintothesoulofamanwhomightbeoverbearing，pitilesseven，ifoccasiondemanded，butwhowouldnotmurder—atleastnotforthesakeofgain。ThislastpossibilityMullerhaddismissedfromhismind，evenbeforehesawtheprisoner。Theman’sreputationwassufficienttomakethethoughtridiculous。Buthehadnotmadeuphismindwhetheritmightnotbeacaseofamurderafteraquarrel。Nowhebegantodoubteventhiswhenhelookedintotheintelligent，harsh—featuredfaceofthemaninthecell。ButMullerhadthegiftofputtingasidehisownconvictions，whenhewantedhismindcleartoconsiderevidencebeforehim。 Graumannhadrisenfromhissittingpositionwhenhesawastranger。 Hisheavybrowsdrewdownoverhis，eyes，buthewaitedfortheothertospeak。 \"IamDetectiveJosephMuller，fromVienna，\"beganthenewcomer，whenhehadseenthattheprisonerdidnotintendtostarttheconversation。 \"Haveyoucometoquestionmeagain？\"askedGraumannwearily。\"I cansaynomorethanIhavealreadysaidtothePoliceCommissioner。 Andnoamountofcross—examinationcanmakemeconfessacrimeofwhichTamnotguilty—nomatterwhatevidencetheremaybeagainstme。\"Theprisoner’svoicewashardanddeterminedinspiteofitsnoteofphysicalandmentalweariness。 \"Ihavenotcometoextortaconfessionfromyou，Mr。Graumann，\" Mullerrepliedgently，\"buttohelpyouestablishyourinnocence，ifitbepossible。\" Awaveofcolourfloodedtheprisoner’scheek。Hegasped，pressedhishandtohisheart，anddroppeddownonhiscot。\"Pardonme，\" hesaidfinally，hesitatinglikeamanwhoisfightingforbreath。 \"Myheartisweak；anyexcitementupsetsme。Youmeanthattheauthoritiesarenotconvincedofmyguilt，inspiteoftheevidence？ Youmeanthattheywillgivemethebenefitofthedoubt—thattheywillgivemeachanceforlife？\" \"Yes，thatisthereasonformycominghere。Iamtotakethiscaseinhand。Ifyouwilltalkfreelytome，Mr。Graumann，Imaybeabletohelpyou。Ihaveseentoomanymistakesofjusticebecauseofcircumstantialevidencetolayanytoogreatstressuponit。Ihavewaitedtohearyoursideofthestoryfromyourself。Ididnotwanttohearitfromothers。Willyoutellittomenow？No，donotmove，Iwillgetthestoolmyself。\" Graumaunsatbackonthecot，hisheadrestingagainstthewall。 HiseyeshadclosedwhileMullerwasspeaking，buthisquieterbreathingshowedthathewasmasteringthephysicalattackwhichhadsoshakenhimatthefirstglimpseofhope。HeopenedhiseyesnowandlookedatMullersteadilyforamoment。Thenhesaid：\"Yes，Iwilltellyou：mylifeandmyworkhavetaughtmetogaugemen。 IwilltellyoueverythingIknowaboutthissadaffair。Iwilltellyoutheabsolutetruth，andIthinkyouwillbelieveme。\" \"Iwillbelieveyou，\"saidMullersimply。 \"Youknowthedetailsofthemurder，ofcourse，andwhyIwasarrested？\" \"Youwerearrestedbecauseyouwerethelastpersonseeninthecompanyofthemurderedman？\" \"Exactly。ThenImaygobackandtellyousomethingofmyconnectionwithJohnSiders？\" \"Itwouldbetheverybestthingtodo。\" \"IliveinGrunau，asyoudoubtlessknow，andamtheengineeringexpertoflargemachineworksthere。Myfatherbeforemeheldanimportantpositioninthefactory，andmyfamilyhavealwayslivedinGrunau。Ihavetraveledagreatdealmyself。Iamforty—fiveyearsold，achildlesswidower，andlivewithmyoldaunt，MissBabetteGraumann，andmyward，MissEleonoraRoemer，ayoungladyoftwenty—two。\"Mullerlookedupwithaslightstartofsurprise，butdidnotsayanything。Graumanncontinued： \"Alittleoverayearago，JohnSiders，whosignedhimselfascomingfromChicago，boughtapieceofpropertyinourtownandcametolivethere。Imadehisacquaintanceinthecaf？andheseemedtotakeafancytome。IalsohadspentseveralyearsinChicago，andwenaturallycametospeakoftheplace。Wediscoveredthatwehadseveralmutualacquaintancesthere，andenjoyedtalkingovertheoldtimes。OtherwiseIdidnottakeparticularlytotheman，andasIcametoknowhimbetterInoticedthathenevermentionedthatpartofhislifewhichlaybackoftheyearsinChicago。Iaskedacasualquestiononceortwiceastohishomeandfamily，butheevadedmeeverytime，andwouldnotgiveadirectanswer。HewasevidentlyaGermanbybirthandeducation，amanwithuniversitytraining，andonewhoknewlifethoroughly。Hehaddelightfulmanners，andwhenhecouldforgethisshynessforawhile，hecouldbeveryagreeable。Theladiesofmyfamilycametolikehim，andencouragedhimtocallfrequently。ThenthethinghappenedthatI shouldnothavebelievedpossible。Myward，MissRoemer，aquiet，reservedgirl，fellinlovewiththismanaboutwhomnoneofusknewanything，amanwithapastofwhichhedidnotcaretospeak。 \"Iwasnotinanywaysatisfiedwiththematch，andtheyseemedtorealiseit。ForSidersmanagedtopersuadethegirltoasecretengagement。Idiscovereditamonthortwoago，anditmademeveryangry。IdidnotletthemseehowbadlyIfelt，butIwarnedLoranottohavetoomuchtodowiththeboy，andIsetaboutfindingoutsomethingregardinghisearlierlife。Itwasmydutytodothis，asIwasthegirl’sguardian。Shehasnootherrelativeliving，andnoonetoturntoexceptmyauntandmyself。IwrotetoMr。RichardTressiderinChicago，theownerofthefactoryinwhichIhadbeenemployedwhilethere。JohnhadtoldmethatTressiderhadbeenhisclientduringthefouryearsinwhichhepracticedlawinChicago。 IreceivedanansweraboutthemiddleofAugust。Mr。TressiderhadbeenabletofindoutonlythatJohnwasborninthetownofHartberginacertainyear。Thiswasenough。ItookleaveofabsenceforafewdaysandwenttoHartberg，which，asyouknow，isabout140milesfromhere。ThreedayslaterIknewallthatIwantedtoknow。JohnSiderswasnottheman’srealname，or，rather，itwasonlypartofhisname。HisfullnamewasTheodorJohnBellmann，andhismotherwasanEnglishwomanwhosemaidennamewasSiders。Hisfatherwasacountyofficialwhodiedatanearlyage，leavinghiswidowandtheboyindeepestpoverty。Mrs。BellmannmovedtoG—togivemusiclessons。Theodorwenttoschoolthere，thenfinallytocollege，andwasanexcellentpupileverywhere。Butonedayitwasdiscoveredthathehadbeenstealingmoneyfromthebankerinwhosehousehewasservingasprivatetutortothelatter’ssons。Alargesumofmoneywasmissing，andeveryevidencepointedtoyoungBellmannasthethief。Hedeniedstrenuouslythathewasguilty，buttheDistrictJudge（itwasthepresentProsecutingAttorneySchmidtinG—）sentencedhim。Hespenteightmonthsinprison，duringwhichtimehismotherdiedofgriefatthedisgrace。Theremusthavebeensomethinggoodintheboy，forhehadneverforgottenthatitwashisguiltthatstruckdownhisonlyrelative，themotherwhohadworkedsohardforhim。Hehadatonedforthiscrimeofhisyouth，andduringtheyearsthathavepassedsincethen，hehadbeenanhonest，uprightman。\" Graumannpausedamomentandpressedhishandtohisheartagain。 Hisvoicehadgrownweaker，andhebreathedhard。Finallyhecontinued：\"Icommandedmywardtobreakoffherengagement，asI couldnotallowhertomarryamanwhowasafreedconvict。SiderssoldhispropertysomefewweeksafterthatandmovedtoG—。 Eleonoraacquiescedinmycommands，butshewasveryunhappyandallowedmetoseeverylittleofher。ThencametheeventsoftheeveningofSeptember23rd，theeventswhichhaveturnedoutsoterribly。Iwilltrytotellyouthestoryjustasithappened，sofarasIamconcerned。IhadseennothingofJohnsinceheleftthistown。HehadmadeseveralattemptsbeforehisdepartureforG—tochangemyopinion，andmydecisionastohismarriagetomyward。ButIlethimseeplainlythatitwasimpossibleforhimtoenterourfamilywithsuchapastbehindhim。Heassertedhisinnocenceofthechargesagainsthim，anddeclaredthathehadbeenunjustlyaccusedandimprisoned。IamafraidthatIwashardtowardshim。Ibegintounderstandnow，asIneverthoughtI should，whatitmeanstobeaccusedofcrime。Ibegintorealisethatitispossibleforeveryevidencetopointtoamanwhoisabsolutelyinnocentofthedeedinquestion。IbegintothinknowthatJohnmayhavebeenright，thatpossiblyhealsomayhavebeenaccusedandsentencedoncircumstantialevidencealone。Ihavethoughtmuch，andIhavelearnedmuchintheseterribledays。\" Theprisonerpausedagainandsatbrooding，hiseyeslookingoutintospace。Mullerrespectedhissufferingandsatinequalsilence，untilGraumannraisedhiseyestohisagain。\"Thencametheeveningofthe23rdofSeptember？\" \"Yes，thatevening—it’salllikeadreamtome。\"Graumannbeganagain。\"Johnwrotemealetteraskingmetocometoseehimonthatevening。Itoreuptheletterandthrewitaway—orperhaps，yes，Iremembernow，IdidnotwishEleonoratoseethathehadwrittenme。Heaskedmetocometoseehim，ashehadsomethingtosaytome，somethingofthegreatestimportanceforusboth。HeaskedmenottomentiontoanyonethatIwastoseehim，asitwouldbewisernooneshouldknowthatwewerestillincommunicationwitheachother。Therewasastrainofnervousexcitementvisibleinhisletter。Ithoughtitbettertogoandseehimasherequested；I feltthatIowedhimsomelittlereparationforhavingdeniedhimthegreatwishofhisheart。ItwasmydutytomakeuptohiminotherwaysforwhatIhadfeltobligedtodo。Iknewhimforanervous，high—strungman，overwroughtbybroodingforyearsonwhathecalledhiswrongs，andIdidnotknowwhathemightdoifI refusedhisrequest。ItwasnotofmyselfIthoughtinthisconnection，butofthegirlathomewholookedtomeforprotection。 \"Ihadnofearformyself；itneveroccurredtometothinkoftakingaweaponwithme。Howmyrevolver—anditisundoubtedlymyrevolver，fortherewasapeculiarbreakinthesilverornamentationonthehandlewhichiseasilyrecognisable—howthisrevolverofminegotintohisroom，ismorethanIcansay。UntilthePoliceCommissionershowedittometwoorthreedaysago，I hadnoideathatitwasnotintheboxinmystudywhereitisordinarilykept。\"Graumannpausedagainandlookedabouthimasifsearchingforsomething。Heroseandpouredhimselfoutaglassofwater。\"Letmeputsomeofthisinit，\"saidMuller。\"Itwilldoyougood。\"Fromaflaskinhispockethepouredafewdropsofbrandyintothewater。Graumanndrankitandnoddedgratefully。 Thenhetookuphisstoryagain。 \"IneverdiscoveredwhySidershadsentforme。WhenIarrivedattheappointedtimeIfoundthedoorofthehouseclosed。Iwasobligedtoringseveraltimesbeforeanoldservantopenedthedoor。 Sheseemedsurprisedthatithadbeenlocked。Shesaidthatthedoorwasalwaysunlatched，andthatMr。Sidershimselfmusthaveclosedit，contrarytoallcustom，forshehadnotdoneit，andtherewasnooneelseinthehousebutthetwoofthem。Siderswaswaitingformeatthetopofthestairs，callingdownanoisywelcome。 \"WhenIaskedhimfinallywhatitwassoimportantthathewantedtosaytome，heevadedmeandcontinuedtochatteronaboutcommonplacethings。FinallyIinsisteduponknowingwhyhehadwantedmetocome，andherepliedthatthereasonforithadalreadybeenfulfilled，thathehadnothingmoretosay，andthatIcouldgoassoonasIwantedto。Heappearedquitecalm，buthemusthavebeenverynervous。ForasIstoodbythedesk，tellinghimwhatI thoughtofhisactions，hemovedhishandhastilyamongthepapersthereandupsettheinkstand。Ijumpedback，butnotbeforeIhadreceivedseverallargespotsofinkonmytrousers。Hewasprofuseinhisapologiesfortheaccident，andtriedtotakeoutthespotswithblottingpaper。Thenatlast，whenIinsistedupongoing，helookedouttoseewhethertherewasstillalightonthestairs，andledmedowntothedoorhimself，standingthereforsometimelookingafterme。 \"Iwasslightlyalarmedaswellasangryathisactions。Ibelievethathecouldnothavebeenquiteinhisrightmind，thatthestrainofnervousnesswhichwasapparentinhisnaturehadreallymadehimill。ForIrememberseveralpeculiarincidentsofmyvisittohim。 Oneofthesewasthathealmostinsisteduponmytakingawaywithme，ostensiblytotakecareofthem，severalvaluablepiecesofjewelrywhichhepossessed。HeseemedalmostoffendedwhenIrefusedtodoanythingofthekind。Then，asIpartedfromhimatthedoor，notinaverygoodhumourIwillacknowledge，hesaidtome：’Youwillthinkofmeveryofteninthefuture—moreoftenthanyouwouldbelievenow！’ \"Thisisallthetruth，andnothingbutthetruth，aboutmyvisittoJohnSidersontheeveningofSeptember23rd。AsithadbeenhiswishIsaidnothingtotheladiesathome，ortoanyoneelseabouttheoccurrence。AndasIhavetoldyou，Idestroyedhisletteraskingmetocometohim。 \"Thefollowingdayaboutnoon，theCommissionerofPolicefromG—calledatmyofficeinthefactory，andinformedmebluntlythatJohnSidershadbeenfoundshotdeadinhislodgingsthatmorning。 Iwasnaturallyshocked，asonewouldbeatsuchnews，inspiteofthefactthatIhadpartedfromthemaninanger，andthatIhadnoreasontobeparticularlyfondofhim。WhatshockedmemostofallwasthesuddenthoughtthatJohnhadtakenhisownlife。ItwasaperfectlynaturalthoughtwhenIconsideredhisnervousness，andhispeculiaractionsoftheeveningbefore。IbelieveIexclaimed，’Itwasasuicide！’almostwithoutrealisingthatIwasdoingso。 Thecommissionerlookedatmesharplyandsaidthatsuicidewasoutofthequestion，thatitwasanevidentcaseofmurder。HequestionedmeastoSiders’affairs，ofwhichItoldonlywhateveryonehereinthevillageknew。Ididnotconsideritincumbentuponmetodisclosetothepolicethedisgraceoftheman’searlylife。 Ihadbeenobligedtohurthimcruellyenoughbecauseofthat，andIsawnonecessityforblackeninghisname，nowthathewasdead。 Also，asaccordingtowhatthecommissionersaid，itwasacaseofmurderforrobbery，IdidnotwishtogointoanydetailsofourconnectionwithSidersthatwouldcausethenameofmywardtobementioned。Afterafewmorequestionsthecommissionerleftme。 Iwasbusyalltheafternoon，anddidnotreturntomyhomeuntillaterthanusual。IfoundmyauntsomewhatworriedbecauseMissRoemerhadleftthehouseimmediatelyafterourearlydinner，andhadnotyetreturned。Webothknewthegirltobestillgrievingoverherbrokenengagement，andwedreadedtheeffectthislastdreadfulnewsmighthaveonher。Wesupposed，however，thatshehadgonetospendtheafternoonwithafriend，andwererathergladtobesparedthenecessityoftellingheratoncewhathadhappened。Ihadscarcelyfinishedmysupper，whenthedoorbellrang，andtomyastonishmenttheMayorofGrunauwasannounced，accompaniedbythesamePoliceCommissionerwhohadvisitedmeinmyofficethatmorning。TheMayorwasanoldfriendofmineandhisdeeplygravefaceshowedmethatsomethingserioushadoccurred。Itwasindeedserious！andforsomeminutesIcouldnotgraspthemeaningofthecommissioner’squestions。FinallyI realisedwithatremendousshockthatI—ImyselfwasundersuspicionofthemurderofJohnSiders。ThedescriptiongivenbytheoldservantofthemanwhohadvisitedSiderstheeveningbefore，theveryclothesthatIwore，myhatandthetrousersspottedbythepurpleink，ledtomyidentificationasthismysteriousvisitor。Theservanthadletmeinbutshehadnotseenmegoout。 \"ThenIdiscovered—whenconfrontedsuddenlywithmyownrevolverwhichhadbeenfoundontheflooroftheroom，somedistancefromthebodyofthedeadman，thatthissamerevolverhadbeenidentifiedasminebymyward，EleonoraRoemer，whohadbeentothepolicestationatG—intheearlyafternoonhours。Someimpulseofloyaltytoherdeadlover，somefoolishfemininefearthatImighthavespokenagainsthiminmyearlierinterviewswiththecommissionerhaddriventhegirltothisstep。Afewquestionssufficedtodrawfromherthestoryofhersecretengagement，ofitsending，andofmyquarrelwithJohn。IwillsayforherthatIamcertainshedidnotrealisethatallthesethingswerecalculatedtocastsuspiciononme。Thepoorgirlistoounusedtothewaysofpolicecourts，tothedeviouswaysofthelaw，torealisewhatshewasdoing。Thesightofmyrevolverbrokeherdowncompletelyandsheacknowledgedthatitwasmine。Thatisall。ExceptthatIwasarrestedandbroughthereasyousee。ItoldthecommissionerthestoryofmyvisittoJohnSidersexactlyasItoldittoyou，butitwasplaintobeseenthathedidnotbelieveme。Itisplaintobeseenalso，thatheisfirmlyconvincedofmyguiltandthatheisgreatlysatisfiedwithhimselfathavingtracedthecriminalsosoon。\" \"Andyethewasnotquitesatisfied，\"saidMullergently。\"YouseethathehassenttotheCapitalforassistanceonthecase。\"Mullerfeltthislittleuntruthtobejustifiedforthesakeofthehonourofthepoliceforce。 \"Yes，I’msurprisedatthat，\"saidGraumanninhisformertoneofweariness。\"Whatdoyouthinkyouwillbeabletodoaboutit？\" \"ImustaskquestionshereandtherebeforeIcanformaplanofcampaign，\"repliedMuller。\"Whatdoyouthinkaboutityourself？ WhodoyouthinkkilledSiders？\" \"HowcanIknowwhoitwas？IonlyknowitisnotI，\"answeredGraumann。 \"Didhehaveanyenemies？\" \"No，nonethatIknewof，andhehadfewfriendseither。\" \"Youknewtherewasasumofmoneymissingfromhisrooms？\" \"Yes，thesumtheynamedtomewasjustaboutthepricethathehadreceivedforthesaleofhispropertyhere。TheydidmethehonourtobelievethatifIhadtakenthemoneyatall，Ihaddonesomerelyasablind。Atleasttheydidnottakemeforathiefaswellasamurderer。Ifthemoneyisreallymissing，itwasforitssakehewasmurderedIsuppose。\" \"Yes，thatwouldbenatural，\"saidMuller。\"Andyouknownothingofanyotherrelationsorconnectionsthatthemanmayhavehad？ Anythingthatmightgiveusacluetothetruth？\" \"No，nothing。Hestoodsoalonehere，asfarasIknew。Ofcourse，asItoldyou，hisactionsoftheeveningbeforehavingbeensopeculiar—andasIknewthathewasnotinthehappiestframeofmind—Inaturallythoughtofsuicideatonce，whentheytoldmethathehadbeenfoundshotdead。Thentheytoldmethattheappearanceoftheroomandmanyotherthings，provedsuicidetohavebeenoutofthequestion。Iknownothingmoreaboutit。Icannotthinkanymoreaboutit。IknowonlythatIamhereindangerofbeingsentencedforthecrimethatInevercommitted—thatisenoughtokeepanyman’smindbusy。\"Heleanedbackwithanintensefatigueineverylineofhisfaceandfigure。 Mullerrosefromhisseat。\"IamafraidIhavetiredyou，Mr。 Graumann，\"hesaid，\"butitwasnecessarythatIshouldknowallthatyouhadtotellme。TryandrestalittlenowandmeanwhilebeassuredthatIamdoingallIcantofindoutthetruthofthismatter。AsfarasIcantellnowIdonotbelievethatyouhavekilledJohnSiders。ButImustfindsomefurtherproofsthatwillconvinceothersaswellasmyself。Ifitisofanycomforttoyou，IcantellyouthatduringalongcareeraspolicedetectiveIhavebeenmostastonishinglyfortunateinthecasesIhaveundertaken。 Iamhopingthatmyusualgoodluckwillfollowmeherealso。Iamhopingitforyoursake。\" Themanonthecottookthehandthedetectiveofferedhimandpresseditfirmly。\"Youwillletmeknowassoonasyouhavefoundanything—anythingthatgivesmehope？\" \"Iwillindeed。Andnowsaveyourstrengthanddonotworry。I willhelpyouifitisinmypower。