第2章

Afterleavingtheprison，MullertookthetrainforthevillageofGrunau，abouthalfanhourdistantfromthecity。HefoundhiswayeasilytoGraumann’shome，anattractiveoldhousesetinalargegardenamidgroupsofbeautifuloldtrees。WhenhesentuphiscardtoMissGraumann，theoldladytrippeddownstairsinaflutterofexcitement。 \"Didyouseehim？\"sheasked。\"Youhavebeentotheprison？Whatdoyouthink？Howdoesheseem？\" \"Heseemscalmto—day，\"repliedMuller，\"althoughtheconfinementandtheanxietyareevidentlywearingonhim。\" \"Andyouheardhisstory？Andyoubelievehiminnocent？\" \"Iaminclinedtodoso。Butthereismoreyetformetoinvestigateinthismatter。Itiscertainlynotassimpleasthepolicehereseemtobelieve。MayIspeaktoyourward，MissRoemer？Sheisathomenow？\" \"Yes，Loraisathome。IfyouwillwaithereamomentIwillsendherin。\" Mullerpacedupanddownthelargesunnyroom，castingaglanceoverthehandsomeoldpiecesoffurnitureandthefamilyportraitsonthewall。Itwasevidentlythehomeofgenerationsofwell—to—do，well—bredpeople，thenarrowcircleofwhoselifewasmaderichbycongenialdutiesandacomfortablefeelingoftheirstandinginthecommunity。 Whilehewasstudyingoneoftheportraitsmorecarefully，hebecameawarethattherewassomeoneintheroom。Heturnedandsawatallblondgirlstandingbythedoor。ShehadenteredsosoftlythatevenMuller’squickearhadnotheardtheopeningofthedoor。 \"Doyouwishtospeaktome？\"shesaid，comingdownintotheroom。 \"IamEleonoraRoemer\" Herface，whichcouldbecalledhandsomeinitsevenregularityoffeatureanddelicateskin，wasverypalenow，andaroundhereyesweredarkringsthatspokeofsleeplessnights。Griefandmentalshockwerepreyinguponthisgirl’smind。\"Sheisnottheonetomakeaconfidantofthosearoundher，\"thoughtMullertohimself。 Thenheaddedaloud：\"Ifitdoesnotdistressyoutoomuchtotalkaboutthissadaffair，Iwillbeverygratefulifyouwillanswerafewquestions。\" \"IwilltellyouwhateverIcan，\"saidthegirlinthesameloweventoneinwhichshehadfirstspoken。\"MissGraumanntellsmethatyouhavecomefromViennatotakeupthiscase。Itisonlynaturalthatweshouldwanttogiveyoueveryassistanceinourpower。\" \"Whatisyouropinionaboutit？\"wasMuller’snextremark，maderathersuddenlyafteramoment’spause。 Thedirectnessofthequestionseemedtoshakethegirloutofherenforcedcalm。Aslowflushmountedintoherpalecheeksandthendiedaway，againleavingthemwhiterthanbefore。\"Idonotknow—oh，Idonotknowwhattobelieve。\" \"ButyoudonotthinkMr。Graumanncapableofsuchacrime，doyou？\" \"Notoftherobbery，ofcoursenot；thatwouldbeabsurd！Buthasitbeenclearlyproventhatthereisarobbery？Mightitnothavebeen—mighttheynothave—\" \"Youmean，mighttheynothavequarreled？Ofcoursethereisthatpossibility。AndthatiswhyIwantedtospeaktoyou。Youaretheonepersonwhocouldpossiblythrowlightonthissubject。 Wasthereanyotherreasonbeyondthedeadman’spastthatwouldrenderyourguardianunwillingtohaveyoumarryhim？\" AgaintheslowflushmountedtoEleonoraRoemer’scheeksandherheaddrooped。 \"Ifearitmaybepainfulforyoutoanswerthis，\"saidMullergently，\"andyetImustinsistonitintheinterestofjustice。\" \"He—myguardian—wishedtomarrymehimself，\"thegirl’swordscameslowlyandpainfully。 Mullerdrewinhisbreathsosharplythatitwasalmostlikeawhistle。\"Hedidnottellmethat；itmightmakeadifference。\" \"That……thatis……whatIfear，\"saidthegirl，hereyeslookingkeenlyintothoseofthemanwhosatopposite。\"Andthen，itwashisrevolver。\" \"Thenyoudobelievehimguilty？\" \"Itwouldbehorrible，horrible—andyetIdonotknowwhattothink。\" Therewassilenceintheroomforamoment。MissRoemer’sheaddroopedagainandherhandstwistednervouslyinherlap。Muller’sbrainwasverybusywiththisnewphaseoftheproblem。Finallyhespoke。 \"Letusdismissthissideofthequestionandtalkofanotherphaseofit，aphaseofwhichitisnecessaryformetoknowsomething。 Youwouldnaturallybethepersonnearestthedeadman，theone，theonlyone，perhaps，towhomhehadgivenhisconfidence。Doyouknowofanyenemieshemighthavehadinthecity？\" \"No，Idonotknowofanyenemies，orevenofanyfriendshehadthere。Whentheterriblethinghappenedthatcloudedhispast，whenhehadregainedhisfreedom，afterhistermofimprisonment，therewasnooneleftwhomhecaredtoseeagain。Hedoesnotseemtohaveborneanymalicetowardsthebankerwhoaccusedhimofthetheft。Theevidencewassostrongagainsthimthathefeltthesuspicionwasjustified。Buttherewashatredinhisheartforoneman，fortheJusticewhosentencedhim，JusticeSchmidt，whoisnowAttorneyGeneralinG—。\" \"Themanwho，inthenameoftheState，willconductthiscase？\" askedMullerquickly。 \"Yes，Ibelieveitisso。Isitnotanironythatthisman，theonlyonewhomJohnreallyhated，shouldbetheonetoavengehimnow？\" \"H’m！yes。ButdidyouknowofanyfriendsinG—？\" \"No，noneatall。\" \"NofriendswhomhemighthavemadewhilehewasinAmericaandthenmetagaininGermany？\" \"No，heneverspokeofanysuchtome。Hetoldmethathemadefewfriends。Hedidnotseekthemforhewasafraidthattheymightfindoutwhathadhappenedandturnfromhim。Hewasmorbidlysensitiveandcouldnotbearthedisappointment\" \"WhydidhereturntoGermany？\" \"Hewaslonelyandwantedtocomehomeagain。HehadmademoneyinAmerica—Johnwasverycleverandhighlyeducated—buthisheartlongedforhisowntongueandhisownpeople。\" Mullertookafoldedpieceofpaperfromhispocket。\"Doyouknowthishandwriting？\" MissRoemerreadthefewlineshastilyandhervoicetrembledasshesaid：\"ThisisJohn’shandwriting。Iknowitwell。Thisistheletterthatwasfoundonthetable？\" \"Yes，thisletterappearstobethelasthehadwritteninlife。 Doyouknowtowhomitcouldhavebeenwritten？Theenvelope，asIsupposeyouknowfromthenewspaperreports，wasnotaddressed。 Doyouknowofanyfriendswithwhomhecouldhavebeenontermsofsufficientintimacytowritesuchaletter？Doyouknowwhattheseplansforthefuturecouldhavebeen？Itwouldcertainlybenaturalthatheshouldhavespokentoyoufirstaboutthem。\" \"No；Icannotunderstandthisletteratall，\"repliedthegirl。\"I havethoughtofitfrequentlytheseterribledays。Ihavewonderedwhyitwasthatifhehadfriendsinthecity，hedidnotspeaktomeofthem。Herepeatedlytoldmethathehadnofriendsthereatall，thathislifeshouldbeginanewafterweweremarried。\" \"Anddidhehaveanyparticularplans，inabusinessway，perhaps？\" \"No；hehadacomfortablelittleincomeandneedhavenofearforthefuture。Johnwas，ofcourse，tooyoungamantosettledownanddonothing。Buttheonlydefiniteplanshehadmadewerethatweshouldtravelalittleatfirst，andthenhewouldlookabouthimforacongenialoccupation。Ialwaysthoughtitlikelyhewouldresumealawpracticesomewhere。Icannotunderstandintheslightestwhattheplansaretowhichtheletterreferred。\" \"Anddoyouthink，fromwhatyouknowofhisstateofmindwhenyousawhimlast，thathewouldbelikelysosoontobeplanningpleasureslikethis？\" \"No，noindeed！Johnwasterriblycrushedwhenmyguardianinsistedonbreakingoffourengagement。Untilmytwenty—fourthbirthdayI amstillboundtodoasmyguardiansays，youknow。John’slifeandearlymisfortunemadehim，asIhavealreadysaid，morbidlysensitiveandthethoughtthatitwouldbeabartoanythingwemightplaninthefuture，hadrenderedhimsodepressedthat—anditwasnottheleastofmyanxietiesandmytroubles—thatIfeared……Ifearedanythingmighthappen。\" \"Youfearedhemighttakehisownlife，doyoumean？\" \"Yes，yes，thatiswhatIfeared。Butisitnotterribletothinkthatheshouldhavediedthisway—bythehandofamurderer？\" \"H’m！Andyoucannotrememberanypossiblefriendhemayhavefound—someschoolboyfriendofhisyouth，perhaps，withwhomhehadagainstruckupanacquaintance。\" \"Oh，no，no，Iampositiveofthat。Johncouldnotbeartohearthenamesevenofthepeoplehehadknownbeforehismisfortune。 Still，Idorememberhisoncehavingspokenofaman，aGermanhehadmetinChicagoandrathertakenafancyto，andwhohadalsoreturnedtoGermany。\" \"Couldthispossiblyhavebeenthemantowhomtheletterisaddressed？\" \"No，no。ThisfriendofJohn’swasnotmarried；Irememberhissayingthat。AndhelivedinGermanysomewhere—letmethink—yes，inFrankfort—on—Main。\" \"Anddoyouremembertheman’sname？\" \"No，Icannot，Iamsorrytosay。Johnonlymentioneditonce。ItwasonlybyagreateffortthatIcouldremembertheincidentatall。\" \"Andhasitnotstruckyouasratherpeculiarthatthisfriend，theonetowhomthecordialletterwasaddressed，didnotcomeforwardandmakehisidentityknown？G—isacity，itistrue，butitisnotaverylargecity，andanymanbeingontermsofintimateacquaintancewithonewhowasmurderedwouldbeapttocomeforwardinthehopeofthrowingsomelightonthemystery。\" \"Why，yes，Ihadnotthoughtofthat。Itispeculiar，isitnot？ Butsomepeoplearesofoolishlyafraidofhavinganythingtodowiththepolice，youknow。\" \"Thatisverytrue，MissRoemer。StillitisaqueerincidentandsomethingthatImustlookinto。\" \"Whatdoyoubelieve？\"askedthegirltensely。 \"Iamnotinapositiontosayasyet。WhenIam，Iwillcometoyouandtellyou。\" \"ThenyoudonotthinkthatmyguardiankilledJohn—thattherewasaquarrelbetweenthemen？\" \"Thereis，ofcourse，apossibilitythatitmayhavebeenso。YouknowyourguardianbetterthanIdo，naturally。Ourknowledgeofaman’scharacterisoftenafarbetterguidethananycircumstantialevidence。\" \"Myguardianisamanofthegreatestuprightnessofcharacter。Buthecanbeveryhardandpitilesssometimes。Andhehasaviolenttemperwhichhisweakhearthasforcedhimtokeepincontroloflateyears。\" \"Allthisspeaksforthepossibilitythattheremayhavebeenaquarrelendinginthefatalshot。ButwhatIwanttoknowfromyouisthis—doyouthinkitpossible，that，thishavinghappened，AlbertGraumannwouldnothavebeenthefirsttoconfesshisunpremeditatedcrime？Isnotthisthemostlikelythingforamanofhischaractertodo？Wouldhesostubbornlydenyit，ifithadhappened？\" Thegirlstarted。\"Ihadnotthoughtofthat！Why，why，ofcourse，hemighthavekilledJohninamomentoftemper，buthewasneveramantoconcealafault。Heisaspitilesstowardshisownweakness，astowardsthatofothers。Youareright，oh，youmustberight。Oh，ifyoucouldtakethisawfulfearfrommyheart！ EvenmygriefforJohnwouldbeeasiertobearthen。\" Mullerrosefromhischair。\"IthinkIcanpromiseyouthatthisloadwillbeliftedfromyourheart，MissRoemer。\" \"Thenyoubelieve—thatitwasjustacaseofmurderforrobbery？ Forthemoney？AndJohnhadsomevaluablejewelry，Iknowthat。\" \"Idonotknowyet，\"repliedMullerslowly，\"butIwillfindout，Igenerallydo。\" \"Oh，tothinkthatIshouldhavedonethatpoormansuchaninjustice！Itisterrible，terrible！Thishousehasbeenghastlythesedays。Hispoorauntknowsthatheisinnocent—shecouldneverbelieveotherwise—shehasfeltthehideoussuspicioninmymind—ithasmadehersufferingworse—willtheyeverforgiveme？\" \"Herjoy，ifIcanfreehernephew，willmakeherforgeteverything。 Gotohernow，MissRoemer，comfortherwiththeassurancethatyoualsobelievehimtobeinnocent。ImusthastenbacktoG—andgoonwiththisquest。\" Thegirlstoodatthedoorwayshadedbytheoverhangingbranchesoftwogreattrees，lookingdownthestreetaftertheslightfigureofthedetective。\"Oh，itisalleasiertohear，hardasitis，easiernowthatthishorriblesuspicionhasgonefrommymind—whydidI notthinkofthatbefore？\" AloneinthecornerofthesmokingcompartmentinthetraintoG—，Mullerarrangedinhismindthefactshehadalreadygathered。HehadquestionedtheservantsofJohnSiders’formerhousehold，hadfoundthatthedeadmanreceivedveryfewletters，onlyanoccasionalbusinesscommunicationfromhisbank。Ofthefewothers，theservantsknewnothingexceptthathehadalwaysthrowntheenvelopescarelesslyinthewastepaperbasketandhadneverseemedtohaveanycorrespondencewhichhecaredtoconceal。NofriendfromelsewherebadevervisitedhiminGrunau，andhehadmadefewfriendsthereexcepttheGraumannfamily。 Thefactsofthecase，asheknewthemnow，weresuchastomakeitextremelydoubtfulthatGraumannwasthemurderer。Mullerhimselfhadbeeninclinedtobelieveinthepossibilityofaquarrelbetweenthetwomen，particularlywhenhehadheardthatGraumannhimselfwasinlovewithhishandsomeward。Butthesecondthoughtthatcametohimthen，impelledbytheunerringinstinctthatsooftenguidedhimtothetruth，wastheassurancethatinacaseofthiskind，inacaseofaquarrelterminatingfatally，amanlikeAlbertGraumannwouldbetheveryfirsttogivehimselfuptothepoliceandtotellthefactsofthecase。AlbertGraumannwasamanofhonourandunimpeachableintegrity。Suchamanwouldnotpersistinafoolishdenialofthedeedwhichhehadcommittedinamomentoftemper。Therewouldbenothingtogainfromit，andhisownconsciencewouldbehisseverestjudge。\"Thedisorderintheroom？\"thoughtMuller。\"It’llbetoolateforthatnow。I supposetheyhaverearrangedtheplace。Icanonlygobywhatthelocaldetectiveshaveseen，bythepolicereports。ButIdonotunderstandthisextremedisorder。Thereisnoreasonwhythereshouldbeastrugglewhentherobberwasarmedwithapistol。IfSiderswassupposedtohavebeeninterruptedwhenwritingaletter，interruptedbyathiefcomewithintenttosteal，athiefarmedwitharevolver，thesightofthisweaponalonewouldbesufficienttoinsurehisnotmovingfromhisseat。Icanunderstandtheopendrawersandcupboard；thatisexplainedbythethief’shastysearchforbooty。Butthetornwindowcurtainandtheoverturnedchairsarepeculiar。 \"OfcoursethereisalwaysapossibilitythatthethiefmighthaveenteredoneroomwhileSiderswasintheother；thatthelattermighthavesurprisedtherobberinhissearchformoneyorvaluables，andthattheremighthavebeenahand—to—handstrugglebeforetheintrudercouldpullouthisrevolver。Oh，ifIcouldonlyhaveseenthebody！Thisisworkingunderterrificdifficulties。Themarksofahand—to—handstrugglewouldhavebeenveryplainontheclothesandonthepersonofthemurderedman。Butthisletter？Idonotunderstandthisletteratall。Itisthedeadman’shandwriting，thatweknow，butwhydidnotthefriendtowhomitwasaddressedcomeforwardandmakehimselfknown？AsfarasIcanlearnfromthepolicereportsinG—，therewasnopersonalinterestshown，nopersonalinquiriesmadeaboutthedeadman。Therewasonlythenaturalexcitementthatamurderwouldcreate。Nowafamily，expectingtomakeapleasureexcursionwithafriendinadayortwoandsuddenlyhearingthatthisfriendhadbeenfoundmurderedinhislodgings，wouldbeinclinedtotakesomelittlepersonalinterestinthematter。Thesepeoplemusthavebeenintownandathome，fortheexcursionspokenofintheletterwastooccurtwodaysafterthemurder。MissRoemer’sremarkaboutthedreadthatsomepeoplehaveastoanyconnectionwiththepolice，istruetoalimitedextentonly。Itistrueonlyoftheignorantmind，notofamanpresumablywell—to—doandproperlyeducated。Idonotunderstandwhythemantowhomthisletterwasaddressedhasnotmadehimselfknown。Theonlyexplanationis—thattherewasnosuchman！\"Asuddensharpwhistlebrokefromthedetective’slips。 \"Imustexaminethedeadman’spersonaleffects，hisbaggage，hispapers；theremaybesomethingthere。HisqueerlettertoGraumann—hisdesirethatthelatter’svisitshouldbekeptsecret—avisitwhichapparentlyhadnocauseatall，excepttogetGraumanntothehouse，togethimtothehouseinawaythatheshouldbeseencoming，butshouldnotbeseengoingaway。Whatdoesthismean？ \"GraumannwastheonlypersonagainstwhomSidershadanactivecauseofquarrelforthemoment。Therewasoneothermanwhomhehated，andthisothermanwastheprosecutingattorneywhowouldconductanycaseofmurderthatcameupinthetownofG—。 \"NowJohnSidersisfoundmurdered—isfoundkilled，inhislodgings，themorningafterhehasarrangedthingssothathisantagonist，hisrivalinlove，AlbertGraumann，shallcomeundersuspicionofhavingmurderedhim…… \"Whatevidencehavewethatthismandidnotcommitsuicide？Wehavetheevidenceofthedisorderintheroom，adisorderthatcouldhavebeenmadejustaswellbythemanhimselfbeforeheendedhisownlife。Wehavetheevidenceofalettertosomeunknown，makingplansforpleasureduringthenextdays，andspeakingoffurtherplans，presumablyconcerningbusiness，forthefuture。InatownthesizeofG—，whereeveryonemusthavereadofthemurder，noonehascomeforwardclaimingtobethefriendforwhomthisletterwaswritten。UntilthisUnknownmakeshimselfknown，theletterasanevidencepointsrathertopremeditatedsuicidethantothecontrary。Oh，ifIcouldonlyhaveseenthebody！Theytellmethepistolwasfoundsomelittledistancefromthebody。Isitatalllikelythatamurdererwouldgoawayleavingsuchevidencebehindhim？IfGraumaunhadkilledSidersinahastyquarrel，hemightpossibly，inhisexcitement，havelefthisrevolver。ButI havealreadydisposedofthispossibility。Amanofsufficientbrainstosocarefullyplanhissuicideastoconcealeverytraceofitandcastsuspicionuponthemanwhohadmadehimunhappy，suchaonewouldbequitecleverenoughtothrowthepistolfarawayfromhisbodyandtoleavenotracesofpowderonhiscoatoranysuchotherevidence。 \"IfIweretosaynowwhatIthink，IwouldsaythatJohnSidersdeliberatelytookhisownlifeandplanneditinsuchawayastocastsuspicionuponAlbertGraumann。Butthatwouldindeedbeaterriblerevenge。AndImusthavesometangibleproofofitbeforeanycourtwillacceptmybelief。Thisproofmustbehiddensomewhere。Thethingformetodoistofindit。\" TheevidencegatheredatthetimeofthedeathwenttoshowthatSidershadbeenpaidaconsiderablesumincashforthesaleofhispropertyatGrunau。AndtherewasnotraceofhishavingdepositedthissuminanybankinG—orinGrunau，inbothofwhichplaceshehaddepositedothersecurities。Thereforethemoneyhadpresumablybeeninhisroomatthetimeofhisdeath。 Asearchhadbeenmadeforthismoneyineverypossibleplaceofconcealmentamongthedeadman’sbelongings，andithadnotbeenfound。MulleraskedthePoliceCommissionertogivehimthekeytotherooms，whichwerestillofficiallyclosed，andalsothekeystothedeadman’spiecesofbaggage。CommissionerLangeseemedtothinkallthisextrasearchquiteunnecessary，asitdidnotoccurtohimthatanythingelsewastobelookedforexceptthemoney。 ItwasquitelatewhenMullerbeganhisexaminationofthedeadman’seffects。Hewasstruckbythefactthattherewasscarcelyabitofpapertobefoundanywhere，noletters，nobusinesspapers，exceptbankbooksshowingtheamountofhissecuritiesinthebankinG—andinGrunau，andgivingfactsaboutsomeinvestmentsinChicago。Therewasnothingofmorerecentdateandnopersonalcorrespondencewhatever。ThesamewastrueofthepocketsofthesuitSidershadbeenwearingatthetimeofhisdeath。Amanofanypropertyorpositionatallintheworldgathersabouthimsomuchofthiskindofmaterialthatitsabsenceshowspremeditation。 ThesuitSidershadbeenwearingwhenhewaskilledwaslyingonthetableintheroom。Itwasaplaingreybusinesssuitofgoodcutandmaterial。Thebodyhadbeenpreparedforburialinabeseemingsuitofblack。Mullermadeacarefulexaminationoftheclothes，andfoundonlywhatthepolicereportsshowedhimhadalreadybeenfoundbytheexaminationmadebythelocalauthorities。 Uponasecondcarefulexamination，however，hefoundthatinoneofthevestpocketstherewasalittleextrapocket，likeachangepocket，andinithefoundacrumpledpieceofpaper。Hetookitout，smoothedandreadit。Itwasapostofficereceiptforaregisteredletter。Thedatewasstillclear，butthenameofthepersontowhomtheletterhadbeenaddressedwasillegible。Thecreasesofthepaperandacertaindampness，asifithadbeeninadvertentlytouchedbyawetfinger，hadsmearedthewriting。 ButtheletterhadbeensentthedaybeforethedeathofJohnSiders，andithadbeenregisteredfromthemainpostofficeinG—。ThiswassufficientforMuller。Thenheturnedtothedesk。 Herealsotherewasnothingthatcouldhelphim。Butasuddenthought，cametohim，andhetookuptheblottingpad。This，tohisdelight，wasintheformofabookwithahandsomeembroideredcover。Itlookedcomparativelynewandwas，asMullersurmised，agiftfromMissRoemertoherbetrothed。Butfewofthepageshadbeenused，andontwoofthemacloselywrittenletterhadbeenblottedseveraltimes，showingthattherehadbeenseveralsheetsoftheletter。Mullerheldituptothelooking—glass，buttherepeatedblottinghadblurredthewritingtosuchanextentthatitwasimpossibletodecipheranybutafewdisconnectedwords，whichgavenoclue。Onapagefurtheralongontheblotter，however，hesawwhatappearedtobetheimpressionofanaddress。Heheldituptotheglassandgaveawhistleofdelight。Thewordscouldbeplainlydecipheredhere： MR。LEOPERNBURG，\"FRANKFURTAMMAIN，\"MAINZERLANDSTRASSE。\" andabovethenamewasasmearwhich，afteralittlestudy，couldbedecipheredasthewrittenword\"Registered。\" Withthispageoftheblottercarefullytuckedawayinhispocketbook，Mullerhurriedtothepostoffice，arrivingjustatclosinghour。Hemadehimselfknownatoncetothepostmaster，andaskedtobeshowntherecordsofregisteredletterssentonacertaindate。HerehefoundscheduledaletteraddressedtoMr。 LeoPernburg，FrankfurtamMain，sentbyJohnSiders，G—，JosefStreet7。 MullerthenhastenedtothetelegraphofficeanddespatchedalengthytelegramtothepostalauthoritiesinFrankfurtamMain。 Whentheanswercametohimnextmorning，hepackedhisgripandtookthefirstexpresstrainleavingG—。Hefirstmadeashortvisit，however，toAlbertGraumann’scellintheprison。Mullerwasmuchtookind—heartednottorelievetheanxietyofthisman，towhomsuchmentalstrainmighteasilyprovefatal。HetoldGraumannthathewasgoinginsearchofevidencewhichmightthrowlightonthedeathofSiders，andcomfortedtheprisonerwiththeassurancethathe，Muller，believedGraumanninnocent，andbelievedalsothatwithinadayortwohewouldreturntoG—withproofsthathisbeliefwastherightone。 ThreedayslaterMullerreturnedtoGrunauandwentatoncetotheGraumannhome。Itwasquitelatewhenhearrived，buthehadalreadynotifiedMissRoemerbytelegramastohiscoming，witharequestthatsheshouldbereadytoseehim。Hefoundherwaitingforhim，paleandanxious—eyed，whenhearrived。\"IhavebeentoFrankfurtamMain，\"hesaid，\"andIhaveseenMr。Pernburg—\" \"Yes，yes，thatisthename；nowIremember，\"interruptedthegirleagerly。\"ThatisthenameofJohn’sfriendthere。\" \"IhaveseenMr。Pernburgandhegavemethisletter。\"Mullerlaidathickenvelopeonthegirl’slap。 Shelookeddownatit，hereyeswideningasifshehadseenaghost。 \"That—thatisJohn’swriting，\"sheexclaimedinahoarsewhisper。 \"Wherediditcomefrom？\" \"Pernburggaveittome。ThedaybeforehisdeathJohnSiderssenthimthisletter，requestingthatPernburgforwardittoyoubeforeacertaindate。WhenIexplainedthecircumstancestoMr。Pernburg，hegavemetheletteratonce。Ifeelthatthispaperholdsthecluetothemystery。Willyouopenit？\" Withtremblinghandsthegirltoreopentheenvelope。Itenclosedstillanothersealedenvelope，withoutanaddress。Buttherewasasheetofpaperaroundthisletter，onwhichwaswrittenthefollowing： MybelovedEleonore： BeforeyoureadwhatIhavetosaytoyouhereIwantyoutopromiseme，inmemoryofourloveandbyyourhopeoffuturesalvation，thatyouwilldowhatIaskyoutodo。 Iaskyoutogivetheenclosedletter，althoughitisaddressedtoyou，totheJudgewhowillpresideinthetrialagainstGraumann。 Theletteriswrittentoyouandwillbegivenbacktoyou。Foryou，thebelovedofmysoul，youaretheonlyhumanbeingwithwhomIcanstillcommunicate，towhomIcanstillexpressmywishes。 ButyoumustnotgivethelettertotheJudgeuntilyouhaveassuredyourselfthattheprosecutingattorneyinsistsuponGraumann’sguilt。 Incaseheisacquitted，whichIdonotthinkprobable，thenopenthisletterinthepresenceofGraumannhimselfandoneortwowitnesses。ForIwishGraumann，whoisinnocent，tobeabletoprovehisinnocence。 YouwillknowbythistimethatIhavedeterminedtoendmylifebymyownhand。Forgiveme，beloved。Icannotliveonwithoutyou—withoutthehonourofwhichIwasrobbedsounjustly。 Godblessyou。 Onewhowillloveyouevenbeyondthegrave，Rememberyourpromise。Itwasgiventothedead。 JOHN。 \"Oh，whatdoesitallmean？\"askedEleonora，droppingtheletterinherlap。 \"ItisasIthought，\"repliedMuller。\"JohnSiderstookhisownlife，butmadeeveryarrangementtohavesuspicionfalluponGraumann。\" \"Butwhy？oh，why？\" \"Itwasaterriblerevenge。Butperhaps—perhapsitwasjustretribution。GraumaunwouldnotunderstandthatSiderscouldhavebeensuspectedof，andimprisonedfor，athefthehadnotcommitted。 Hemustknownowthatitisquitepossibleforamantobeindangerofsentenceofdeatheven，foracrimeofwhichheisinnocent。\" \"Oh，myGod！Itisterrible。\"Thegirl’sheadfellacrossherfoldedarmsonthetable。Deepshudderingsobsshookherframe。 Mullerwaitedquietlyuntilthefirstshockhadpassed。Finallyhersobsdiedawayandsheraisedherheadagain。\"WhatamItodo？\"sheasked。 \"Youmustopenthisletterto—morrowinthepresenceofthePoliceCommissionerandGraumaun。\" \"Butthispromise？Thispromisethatheasksofme—thatIshouldwaituntilthetrial？\" \"Youhavenotgiventhispromise。Wouldyoutakeituponyourselftoendangeryourguardian’slifestillmore？Everyfurtherdayspentinhisprison，inthisanxiety，mightbefatal。\" \"Butthispromise？ThepromisedemandedofmebythemantowhomIhadgivenmylove？Isitnotmydutytokeepit？\" Mullerrosefromhischair。Hisslightfigureseemedtogrowtaller，andthegentlenessinhisvoicegavewaytoacommandingtoneoffirmdecision。 \"Ourdutyistotheliving，nottothedead。Thedeadhavenorighttodragdownothersafterthem。Believeme，MissRoemer，thepurposethatwasinyourbetrothed’smindwhenheendedhisownlife，hasbeenfulfilled。AlbertGraumannknowsnowwhatarethefeelingsofamanwhobearstheprisonstigmaunjustly。Hewillneveragainjudgehisfellow—menasharshlyashehasdoneuntilnow。Hissoulhasbeenpurgedintheseterribledays；haveyoutherighttoendangerhislifeneedlessly？\" \"Oh，Idonotknow！Idonotknowwhattodo。\" \"Ihavenochoice，\"saidMullerfirmly。\"ItismydutytomakeknownthefacttothePoliceCommissionerthatthereissuchaletterinexistence。ThePoliceCommissionerwillthenhavetofollowhisdutyindemandingtheletterfromyou。Mr。Pernburg，Sider’sfriend，sawthisargumentatonce。Althoughhealsohadaletterfromthedeadman，askinghimtosendtheenclosuretoyou，registered，onacertaindate，heknewthatitwashisdutytogiveallthepaperstotheauthorities。Woulditnotbebetterforyoutogivethemupofyourownfreewill？\"Mullertookastepnearerthegirlandwhispered：\"Andwoulditnotbeanoblerevengeonyourpart？Youwouldbeindeedreturninggoodforevil。\" Eleonoraclaspedherhandsandherlipsmovedasifinsilentprayer。ThensheroseslowlyandheldouttheletterstoMuller。 \"Dowhatyouwillwiththem，\"shesaid。\"Mystrengthisatanend。\" Thenextday，inthepresenceofCommissionerLangeandoftheaccusedAlbertGraumann，MulleropenedtheletterwhichhehadreceivedfromMissRoemerandreaditaloud。Thegirlherself，byherownrequest，wasnotpresent。BothMullerandGraumannunderstoodthatthestrainofthismessagefromthedeadwouldbetoomuchforhertobear。Thiswastheletter： G。—September21st。 Mybeloved： WhenyouputthisletterinthehandsoftheJudge，IwillhavefoundindeaththepeacethatIcouldneverfindonearth。TherewasnochanceofhappinessformesinceIhaverealisedthatIloveyou，thatyouloveme，andthatImustgiveyouupifIamtoremainwhatIhavealwaysbeen—inspiteofeverything—amanofhonour。 AlbertGraumannwouldkeephisword，thisIknow。Whereveryoumightfollowmeasmywife，therehiswillwouldhavebeenbeforeus，blastingmyreputation，blackeningtheflamewhichyouweretobear。 Icouldnothaveenduredit。Mysoulwassickofallthissecrecy，sickattheinjusticeofmankind。Inspiteofworldlysuccess，mylifewascoldandbarreninthestrangelandtowhichIhadfled。 MyhomecalledtomeandIcamebacktoit。 Ikissedtheearthofmyowncountry，andIweptatmymother’sgrave。Iwashappyagainundertheskieswhichhaddomedabovemychildhood。ForIamanhonestman，beloved，andIalwayshavebeen。 OnedayIsatattablebesidetheman—theJudgewhocondemnedme，hereinG—inthoseterribledays。Henaturallydidnotknowmeagain。I，myself，broughttheconversationaroundtoaprofessionalsubject。Iaskedhimifitwerenotpossiblethatcircumstantialevidencecouldlie；iftheentirepast，thereputationoftheaccusedwouldnotbeafactorinhisfavour。TheJudgedeniedit。 Itwashisopinion，beyondadoubt，thatcircumstantialevidencewassufficienttoconvictanyone。 Mysoulrosewithinme。Thisinfallibility，thislegalarrogance，arousedmyblood。\"Thatmanshouldhavealesson！\"Isaidtomyself。 ButIhadforgottenitall—allmyanger，allmyhatredandbitterness，whenImetyou。Idarenottrustmyselftothinkofyoutoomuch，nowthateverythingisarrangedfortheonelaststep。IttakesallmycontroltokeepmydecisionunwaveringwhileIsithereandtellyouhowmuchyourlove，yourgreattenderness，yoursweettrustinme，meanttome。 LetmetalkratherofAlbertGraumann。Iwillforgivehimforbelievinginmyguilt，butIcannotforgivehimthathe，themanofcultivationandmentalgrasp，couldnotbelieveitpossibleforaconvictedthieftohaverepentedandtohavelivedanhonestlifeaftertheatonementofhiscrime。IstillcannotbelievethatthiswasGraumann’sopinion。Iamforcedtothinkthatitwasanexcuseonlyonhispart，anexcusetokeepusapart，anexcusetokeepyouforhimself。 Youarelosttomenow。Thereisnothingmoreinlifeforme。Iftheinjusticeofmankindhasstainedmyhonourbeyondrepair，hasrobbedmeofeverychanceofhappinessatanytimeandinanyplace，thenIdieeasily，beloved，forthereislittlecharminsuchalifeaswouldbemineafterthis。 ButIdonotwishtodiequiteinvain。Therearetwomenwhohavetouchedmylife，whoneedthelessonmydeathcanteachthem。ThesemenareAlbertGraumannandtheprosecutingattorneyGustavSchmidt，themanwhooncecondemnedmesocruelly。Hispresentpositionwouldmakehimtherepresentativeofthestateinamurdertrial，andIknowhisopinionstoowellnottoforeseethathewoulddeclareGraumannguiltybecauseofthecircumstantialevidencewhichwillbeagainsthim。Myletter，giventothePresidingJudgeaftertheAttorneyhasmadehisspeech，willcausehimhumiliation，willruinhisbrilliantargumentsandcastridiculeuponhim。 Donotthinkmehardorrevengeful。Idonothateanyonenowthatdeathissonear。ButisitinhumanthatIshouldwanttoteachthesetwomenalesson？alessonwhichtheyneed，believeme，anditissuchaslightcompensationforthetorturetheselasteightyearshavebeentome！ AndnowIwillexplainindetailallthecircumstances。IhavearrangedthatAlbertGraumannshallcometomeontheeveningofSeptember23rdbetween7and8o’clock。Iaskedhimtodosobyletter，askinghimalsotokeepthefactofhisvisittomeasecret。 To—night，the22ndofSeptember，Ireceivedhisanswerpromisingthathewouldcome。ThereforeIcanlookuponeverythingthatistohappen，ashavingalreadyhappened，fornowthereneedbenofurtherchangeinmyplans。IwillsendthisletterthiseveningtomyfriendPernburginFrankfurtamMain。Incaseanythingshouldhappenthatwouldrenderimpossibleformetocarryoutmyplans，IwillsendPernburganotherletteraskinghimnottocarryouttheinstructionsofthefirst。 Icannowproceedtotellyouwhatwillhappenhereto—morrowevening，the23rdofSeptember。 AlbertGraumannwillcometome，unknowntohisfamilyorfriends，asIhaveaskedhimtocome。Iwillsoarrangeitthattheoldservantwillseehimcomeinbutwillnotseehimgoout。Mylandladywillnotbeinmyway，forshehasalreadytoldmethatshewillspendthenightofthe23rdwithhermother，inanotherpartofthecity。ItistobeabirthdaycelebrationIbelieve，sothatIcanbecertainherplanswillnotbechanged。 GraumannandIwillbealone，therefore，withnoreliablewitnessesnear。Iwillkeephimthereforalittlewhilewithcommonplaceconversation，forIhavenothingtosaytohim。IfhemovesnearthedeskIwillupsettheinkbottle。Thespotsonhisclotheswillbeanotherevidenceagainsthim。Iwillendeavourtogethimtokeepmyjewelrywhichis，asyouknow，ofconsiderablevalue。I willtellhimthatIamgoingawayforawhileandaskhimtotakechargeofitforme。I，myself，willtakehimdowntothedoorandlethimout，whenIhavesatisfiedmyselfthattheoldservantisinbedoratleastatthebackofthehouse。TherevolverwhichshallendmymiseryisGraumann’sproperty。Itookitfromitsplacewithouthisknowledge。 The10，000guldenwhichItoldmylandladywerestillinthehouse，andwhichwouldthereforebethoughtmissingaftermydeath，IhavedepositedinabankinFrankfortinyourname。Hereisthecertificateofdeposit。 Iwillendeavournottoholdtherevolversufficientlyclosetohavethepowderburnmyclothes。AndIwillexerteveryeffortofmindandbodytothrowitfarfrommeafterIhavefiredthefatalshot。 IthinkthatIwillbeabletodothis，forIamaverygoodshotandIhavenofearofdeath。OnethingmoreIwilldo，toturnasideallsuspicionofsuicide。Iwillwritealettertosomepersonwhodoesnotexist，aletterwhichwillmakeitappearasifIwereinexcellenthumourandplanningforthefuture。 Andnow，good—byetolife。Peoplehavecalledmeeccentric，theymayberight。Thislastdeedofmineatleast，isoutoftheordinary。Noonewillsaynowthatendedmylifeinamomentofdarkenedmind，inarushofdespair。Mybrainisperfectlyclear，myheartbeatscalmly，nowthatIhavearrangedeverythingformydeparturefromthisworldoffalsehoodandunreality。Mylastdeedshallgotoprovetotheworldhowlittleactual，apparentfactscanbetrusted。 Theonethingreal，theonethingtrueinallthisworldoffalsehoodwasyourloveandyourtrust。Ithankyouforit。 THEODORBELLMANN，knownasJOHNSIDERS。 JosephMullerrefusestotakeanyparticularcreditforthiscase。 TheletterwouldhavecomeintimetopreventGraumann’sconvictionwithouthisassistance，hesays。TheonlypersonwhosegratitudehehasarighttoisProsecutingAttorneyGustavSchmidt。HemanagedtohavethePoliceCommissionerinG—readtheletterindetailtotheattorney。ButMullerhimselfknowsthatitfailedofitseffect，sofarasthatdignitarywasconcerned。Fornothingbutopenridiculecouldeverconvinceamanofsuchdecidedopinionsthatheisnottheoneinfalliblepersonintheworld。 ButAlbertGraumannhadlearnedhislesson。AndhetoldMullerhimselfthatthefewdaysoflifewhichmightremaintohimwereagifttohimfromthedetective。Hefeltthathisweakheartwouldnothavestoodthestrainandthedisgraceofanopentrial，evenifthattrialendedinacquittal。Twomonthslaterhewasfounddeadinhisbed，acalmsmileonhislips。 BeforehediedhehadlearnedthatitwastheUndauntedcourageofhistimidlittleoldauntthathadbroughtMullertotakechargeofthecaseandtofreeherbelovednephewfromthedreadedprison。 Andthelastdaysthatthesetwopassedtogetherwereveryhappy。 Butasaforesaid，Mullerrefusestohavethiscaseincludedinthelistofhissuccesses。Hedidnotchangetheultimateresult，hemerelyanticipatedit，hesays。