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。