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。