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。