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。