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。
THECASEOFTHELAMPTHATWENTOUT
byGraceIsabelColbronandAugustaGronerCHAPTERI
THEDISCOVERY
TheradianceofaclearSeptembermorninglayoverVienna。Theairwassopurethattheskyshoneinbrightestazureevenwherethecity’sbuildingsclusteredthickest。Ontheoutskirtsofthetowntheraysoftheawakeningsundancedincrystallineetherandstruckansweringgleamsfromthedewongrassandshrubinthemyriadgardensofthesuburbanstreets。
Itwasstillveryearly。Theold-fashionedsteepleclockonthechurchoftheHolyVirgininHietzinghadboomedoutsixslowstrokesbutashorttimeback。Anna，theprettyblondegirlwhocarriedoutthemilkforthedwellersinseveralstreetsofthisaristocraticresidentialsuburb，wasjustcomingaroundthecornerofthemainstreetintoaquietlane。Thislanecouldhardlybedignifiedbythenameofstreetasyet，itwassoveryquiet。Ithadbeenopenedandnamedscarcelyayearbackanditwasborderedmostlybyopengardensorfenced-inbuildinglots。Therewerefourhousesinthisstreet，twobytwooppositeeachother，andanother，anold-fashionedmanorhouse，lyingalmosthiddeninitsgreatgarden。Butthequietstreetcouldnotpresumetoownershipofthislasthouse，forthefrontofitopenedonaparallelstreet，whichgaveititsnumber。Onlythegardenhadagateasoutletontoourquietlane。
Annastoppedinfrontofthisgateandpulledthebell。Shehadtowaitforsomelittletimeuntilthegardener’swife，whoactedasjanitress，couldopenthedoor。ButAnnawasnotimpatient，forsheknewthatitwasquiteadistancefromthegardener’shouseinthecentreofthegreatstretchofparktothelittlegatewhereshewaited。Inafewmoments，however，thedoorwasopenedandapleasant-facedwomanexchangedafriendlygreetingwiththegirlandtookthecansfromher。
Annahastenedonwardwithherusualenergeticstep。Thefourhousesinthatstreetwerealreadyservedandshewasnowboundforthehomesofcustomersseveralsquaresaway。Thenherstepslowedjustabit。Shewasaquiet，thoughtfulgirlandthelovelypeaceofthisbrightmorningsankintoherheartandmadeherrejoiceinitsbeauty。Allaroundherthefoliagewasturninggentlytoitsautumngloryofcolouringandthedewdropsontherich-huedleavessparkledwithanunusualradiance。Athrushlookeddownatherfromaboughandbeganitsmorningsong。Annasmiledupatthelittlebirdandbeganherselftosingamerrytune。
Butsuddenlyhervoicediedaway，thecolourfadedfromherflushedcheeks，hereyesopenedwideandshestoodasifrivetedtotheground。Withadeepbreathasofunconsciousterrorshelettheburdenofthemilkcansdropgentlyfromhershouldertotheground。
Infollowingthebird’sflighthereyeshadwanderedtothesideofthestreet，totheedgeofoneofthevacantlots，therewhereashallowditchseparateditfromtheroadway。Anelder-tree，thegreatsizeofwhichattesteditsage，hungitsberry-ladenbranchesovertheditch。Andinfrontofthistreethebirdhadstoppedsuddenly，thenflutteredoffwiththequickmovementofthewildcreaturesurprisedbyfright。WhatthebirdhadseenwasthesamevisionthathaltedthesongonAnna’slipsandarrestedherfoot。
Itwasthebodyofaman-ayoungandwell-dressedman，wholaytherewithhisfaceturnedtowardthestreet。Andhisfacewasthewhitefrozenfaceofacorpse。
Annastoodstill，lookingdownathimforafewmoments，inwide-eyedterror：thenshewalkedonslowlyasiftryingtopullherselftogetheragain。Afewstepsandthensheturnedandbrokeintoarun。Whenshereachedtheendofthestreet，breathlessfromhasteandexcitement，shefoundherselfinoneofthemainarteriesoftrafficofthesuburb，butowingtotheearlyhourthisstreetwasalmostasquietasthelaneshehadjustleft。
Finallythefrightenedgirl’seyescaughtsightofthefigureofapolicemancomingaroundthenextcorner。Sheflewtomeethimandrecognisedhimastheofficerofthatbeat。
\"Why，whatisthematter？\"heasked。\"Whyareyousoexcited？\"
\"Downthere-inthelane，there’sadeadman，\"answeredthegirl，gaspingforbreath。
\"Adeadman？\"repeatedthepolicemangravely，lookingatthegirl。
\"Areyousurehe’sdead？\"
Annanodded。\"HiseyesareallglassyandIsawbloodonhisback。\"
\"Well，you’reevidentlyverymuchfrightened，andIsupposeyoudon’twanttogodownthereagain。I’lllookintothematter，ifyouwillgotothepolicestationandmaketheannouncement。Willyoudoit？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Allright，then，thatwillgaintimeforus。Good-bye，MissAnna。\"
Themanwalkedquicklydownthestreet，whilethegirlhurriedoffintheoppositedirection，tothenearestpolicestation，whereshetoldwhatshehadseen。
Thepolicemanreachedhisgoalevenearlier。Thefirstglancetoldhimthatthemanlyingtherebythewaysidewasindeedlifeless。
Andtheicystiffnessofthehandwhichhetouchedshowedhimthatlifemusthavefledmanyhoursback。Annahadbeenrightaboutthebloodalso。Thedeadmanlayonthefarthersideoftheditch，halfdownintoit。Hisrightarmwasbentunderhisbody，hisleftarmwasstretchedout，andthestiffenedfingers……theywereslenderwhitefingers……hadsoughtforsomethingtobreakhisfall。Alltheyhadfoundwasatallstemofwildasterwithitspurpleblossoms，whichtheywereholdingfastinthedeathgrip。Onthedeadman’sbackwasasmallbullet-woundandaroundtheedgesofithislightgreycoatwasstainedwithblood。Hisfacewasdistortedinpainandterror。Itwasaniceface，orwouldhavebeen，diditnotshowalltooplainlythemarksofdissipationinspiteofthefactthatthemancouldnothavebeenmuchpastthirtyyearsold。Hewasastrangertothepoliceman，althoughthelatterhadbeenonthisbeatforoverthreeyears。
Whentheguardianofthelawhadconvincedhimselfthattherewasnothingmoretodoforthemanwholaythere，herosefromhisstoopingpositionandsteppedback。Hisgazewanderedupanddownthequietlane，whichwasstillabsolutelyemptyofhumanlife。
Hestoodtherequietlywaiting，watchingovertheghastlydiscovery。
Inabouttenminutesthepolicecommissionerandthecoroner，followedbytworoundsmenwithalitter，joinedthesolitarywatcher，andthelattercouldreturntohispost。
Thepolicemensetdowntheirlitterandwaitedfororders，whilethecoronerandthecommissionerbentoverthecorpse。Therewasnothingforthephysiciantodobuttodeclarethattheunfortunatemanhadbeendeadformanyhours。Thebulletwhichstruckhiminthebackhadkilledhimatonce。Thecommissionerexaminedthegroundimmediatelyaroundthecorpse，butcouldfindnothingthatpointedtoastruggle。Thereremainedonlytoprovewhethertherehadbeenarobberyaswellasamurder。
\"Judgingfromtheman’spositionthebulletmusthavecomefromthatdirection，\"saidthecommissioner，pointingtowardsthecottagesdownthelane。
\"Peoplewhoarekilledbybulletsmayturnseveraltimesbeforetheyfall，\"saidagentlevoicebehindthepoliceofficer。Thevoiceseemedtosuitthethinlittlemanwhostoodtheremeekly，hishatinhishand。
Thecommissionerturnedquickly。\"Ah，areyoutherealready，Muller？\"hesaid，asifgreatlypleased，whilethephysicianbrokeinwiththeremark：
\"That’sjustwhatIwasabouttoobserve。Thismandidnotdiesoquicklythathecouldnothavemadeavoluntaryorinvoluntarymovementbeforelifefled。Theshotthatkilledhimmighthavecomefromanydirection。\"
Thecommissionernoddedthoughtfullyandtherewassilenceforafewmoments。Muller-forthelittlethinmanwasnoneotherthanthecelebratedJosephMuller，oneofthemostbrilliantdetectivesintheserviceoftheAustrianpolice-lookeddownatthecorpsecarefully……Hetookplentyoftimetodoitandnobodyhurriedhim。FornobodyeverhurriedMuller;hiswell-knownandalmostlaughablethoroughnessandpedantryweretoovaluableintheirresults。ItwasatraditioninthepolicethatMullerwastohaveallthetimehewantedforeverything。Itpaidintheend，forMullermadefewmistakes。Therefore，hissuperiorthepolicecommissioner，andthecoronerwaitedquietlywhilethelittlemanmadehisinspectionofthecorpse。
\"Thankyou，\"saidMullerfinally，withapolitebowtothecommissioner，beforehebenttobrushawaythedustonhisknees。
\"Well？\"askedCommissionerHolzer。
Mullersmiledanembarrassedsmileashereplied：
\"Well……Ihaven’tfoundoutanythingyetexceptthatheisdead，andthathehasbeenshotintheback。Hispocketsmaytellussomethingmore。\"
\"Yes，wecanexaminethematonce，\"saidthecommissioner。\"I
havebeendelayingthatforIwantedyouhere;butIhadnoideathatyouwouldcomesosoon。Itoldthemtofetchyouifyouwereawake，butdoubtedyouwouldbe，forIknowyouhavehadnosleepforforty-eighthours。\"
\"Oh，Icansleep，atleastwithoneeye，whenI’monthechase，\"
answeredthedetective。\"Soit’sreallyonlytwenty-fourhours，yousee。\"MullerhadjustreturnedfromtrackingdownanaristocraticswindlerwhomhehadfoundfinallyinalittleFrenchcityandhadbroughtbacktoaVienneseprison。HehadreturnedwellalonginthepastnightandHolzerknewthatthetiredmanwouldneedhisrest。StillhehadsentforMuller，wholivednearthepolicestation，forthegirl’sreporthadwarnedhimthatthiswasaseriouscase。AndinseriouscasesthepolicedidnotliketodowithoutMuller’shelp。
Andasusualwhenhisworkcalledhim，Mullerwasaswideawakeasifhehadhadagoodnight’ssleepbehindhim。Theinterestofanewcaserobbedhimofeverytraceoffatigue。Itwashealone-athisownrequest-whoraisedthebodyandlaiditonitsbackbeforehesteppedasidetomakewayforthedoctor。
Thephysicianopenedthedeadman’svesttoseewhetherthebullethadpassedcompletelythroughthebody。Butithadnot;therewasnottheslightesttraceofbloodupontheshirt。
\"There’snothingmoreformetodohere，Muller，\"saidthephysician，ashebowedtothecommissionerandlefttheplace。
Mullerexaminedthepocketsofthedeadman。
\"It’sprobablyacaseofrobbery，too，\"remarkedthecommissioner。
\"Amanaswell-dressedasthisoneiswouldbelikelytohaveawatch。\"
\"Andapurse，\"addedthedetective。\"Butthismanhasneither-oratleasthehasthemnolonger。\"
Inthevariouspocketsofthedeadman’sclothesMullerfoundthefollowingarticles：ahandkerchief，severaltramwaytickets，apenknife，atinymirror，andcomb，andalittlebook，acheapnovel。Hewrappedthemallinthehandkerchiefandputtheminhisownpocket。Thedeadman’scoathadfallenbackfromhisbodyduringtheexamination，andasMullerturnedthestiffenedlimbsalittlehesawtheopeningofanotherpockethighupovertherighthipofthetrousers。Thedetectivepassedhishandoverthepocketandheardsomethingrattle。Thenheputhishandinthepocketanddrewoutathinnarrowenvelopewhichhehandedtothecommissioner。Holzerlookedatitcarefully。Itwasmadeofverythinexpensivepaperandborenoaddress。Butitwassealed，althoughnotverycarefully，forthegummededgeswereopeninspots。Itmusthavebeenhastilyclosedandwasslightlycrushedasifithadbeencarriedinaclenchedhand。Thecommissionercutopentheenvelopewithhispenknife。HegaveanexclamationofsurpriseasheshowedMullerthecontents。Intheenvelopetherewerethreehundred-guldennotes。
ThecommissionerlookedatMullerwithoutaword，butthedetectiveunderstoodandshookhishead。\"No，\"hesaidcalmly，\"itmaybeacaseofrobberyjustthesame。Thispocketwasnotveryeasytofind，andthemoneyinitwassaferthanthedeadman’swatchandpursewouldbe。Thatis，ifhehadawatchandpurse-andheveryprobablyhadawatch，\"headdedmorequickly。
ForMullerhadmadealittlediscovery。Onthelowerhemoftheleftsideofthedeadman’swaistcoathesawalittlelump，andfeelingofithediscoveredthatitwasawatchkeywhichhadslippeddownoutofthetornpocketbetweentheliningandthematerialofthevest。Asureproofthatthedeadmanhadhadawatch，whichinallprobabilityhadbeentakenfromhimbyhismurderer。Therewasnoloosechangeorsmallbillstobefoundinanyofthepockets，sothatitwasmorethanlikelythatthedeadmanhadhadhismoneyinapurse。Itseemedtobeacaseofmurderforthesakeofrobbery。AtleastMullerandthecommissionerbelievedittobeone，fromwhattheyhaddiscoveredthusfar。
Thepoliceofficergavehismenorderstoraisethebodyandtotakeittothemorgue。Anhourlatertheunknownmanlayinthebareroominwhichtheonlyspotofbrightnessweretheraysofthesunthatcreptthroughthehighbarredwindowsandtouchedhiscoldfaceandstiffenedformaswithapityingcaress。Butno，therewasoneotherlittlespotofbrightnessinthesilentplace。
Itwasthewildasterwhichthedeadman’shandstillheldtightlyclasped。Thelittlepurpleflowerswerequitefreshyet，andthedewdropsclingingtothemgreetedthekissofthesun’srayswithanansweringsmile。
CHAPTERII
THEBROKENWILLOWTWIG
Assoonasthecorpsehadbeentakenaway，thepolicecommissionerreturnedtothestation。ButMullerremainedthereallalonetomakeathoroughexaminationoftheentirevicinity。
Itwasnotaveryattractivespot，thisparticularpartofthestreet。Theremusthavebeenanurserythereatonetime，fortherewerestillseveralorderedrowsofsmalltreestobeseen。
Thereweretracesofflowercultivationaswell，forseveraltrailingvinesandovergrownbushesshowedwhereshrubshadbeengrownwhichdonotusuallygrowwithoutman’sassistance。
ImmediatelybackoftheoldeldertreeMullerfoundseveralfineexamplesofrareflowers，orratherhefoundtheshrubswhichhisexperiencedeyerecognisedashavingoncebornetheseunusualblossoms。Oneortwobloomsstillhungtothebushesandthedetective，whowasagreatloverofflowers，pickedthemandputtheminhisbuttonhole。Whilehedidthis，hiskeeneyesweredartingabouttheplacetakinginallthedetails。Thisvacantlothadevidentlybeenusedasanunlicenseddumpinggroundforsometime，forallsortsofoddsandends，oldboots，bitsofstuff，silkandrags，brokenbottlesandemptytincans，layaboutbetweenthebushesorhalfburiedintheearth。Whathadoncebeenanorderlygardenwasnowanuntidyreceptacleforwaste。
Thepedanticallyneatdetectivelookedabouthimindisgust，thensuddenlyheforgothisdispleasureandagleamshotupinhiseye。
Itwasverylittle，thethingthismanhadseen，thismanwhosawsomuchmorethanothers。
Abouttenpacesfromwherehestoodahighwoodenfencehemmedinthelot。Thefencebelongedtotheneighbouringproperty，asthelotinwhichhestoodwasnotprotectedinanyway。Tothebackitwasclosedoffbyacornfieldwherethetallstalksrustledgentlyinthefaintmorningbreeze。AllthiscouldbeseenbyanybodyandMullerhadseenitallathisfirstglance。Butnowhehadseensomethingelse。Somethingthatexcitedhimbecauseitmightpossiblyhavesomeconnectionwiththenewlydiscoveredcrime。Hiskeeneyes，inglancingalongthewoodenfenceathisrighthand，hadcaughtsightofalittletwigwhichhadworkeditswaythroughthefence。Thistwigbelongedtoawillowtreewhichgrewontheotherside，andwhichspreaditsgrey-greenfoliageoverthefenceorthroughitswideopenings。Oneofthelittletwigswhichhadcreptinbetweentheplankswasbroken，andithadbeenbrokenveryrecently，fortheleaveswerestillfreshandthesapwasoozingfromthecrushedstem。Mullerwalkedovertothefenceandexaminedthetwigcarefully。Hesoonsawhowitcametobebroken。Thebrokenpartwasabouttheheightofaman’skneefromtheground。Andjustatthisheighttherewasquiteaspacebetweentwooftheplanksofthefence，heavyplankswhichwerelaidcross-waysandnailedtothickposts。Itwouldhavebeenveryeasyforanybodytogetafootholdinthisopenspacebetweentheplanks。
Itwasveryevidentlysomefootthrustinbetweentheplankswhichhadbrokenthelittlewillowtwig，anditssoftrindhadleftagreenmarkonthelowerplank。\"Iwonderifthathasanythingtodowiththemurder，\"thoughtMuller，lookingoverthefenceintothelotontheotherside。
Thisneighbouringplotwasevidentlyaneglectedgarden。Ithadoncewornanaristocraticair，withstonestatuesandartisticarrangementofflowerbedsandshrubs。Itwasstillattractiveeveninitsneglectedcondition。Beyondit，throughthefoliageofitsheavytrees，glasswindowscaughtthesunlight。Mullerrememberedthattherewasahandsomeoldhouseinthisdirection，ahousewithamansardroofandwide-reachingwings。Hedidnotnowknowtowhomthishandsomeoldhousebelonged，ahousethatmusthavebeenbuiltinthetimeofMariaTheresa，……buthewassureofonething，andthatwasthathewouldsoonfindouttowhomitbelonged。Atpresentitwasthegardenwhichinterestedhim，andhewasanxioustoseewhereitended。Afewmoments’
furtherinspectionshowedhimwhathewantedtoknow。Thegardenextendedtothebeginningofthepark-likegroundswhichsurroundedtheoldhousewiththemansardroof。Atallironrailingseparatedthegardenfromthepark，butthisrailingdidnotextenddownasfarasthequietlane。Whereitendedtherewasalight，well-builtwoodenfence。Alongthestreetsideofthefencetherewasahighthickhedge。Mullerwalkedalongthishedgeuntilhecametoalittlegate。Thencrossingthestreet，hesawthatthehousewhosewindowsglistenedinthesunlightwasahousewhichheknewwellfromitsotherside，itsfrontfacade。
Nowhewentbacktotheeldertreeandthenwalkedslowlyawayfromthistothespotwherehefoundthebrokenwillowtwig。Heexaminedeveryfootoftheground，buttherewasnothingtobeseenthatwasofanyinteresttohim-notafootprint，oranythingtoprovethatsomeoneelsehadpassedthatwayashorttimebefore。Andyetitwouldhavebeenimpossibletopassthatwaywithoutleavingsometrace，forthegroundwascutupinalldirectionsbymolehills。
Nextthedetectivescrutinisedasmuchofthesurroundingsaswouldcomeintoimmediateconnectionwiththespotwherethecorpsehadbeenfound。Therewasnothingtobeseenthereeither，andMullerwasobligedtoacknowledgethathehaddiscoverednothingthatwouldleadtoanunderstandingofthecrime，unless，indeed，thebrokenwillowtwigshouldprovetobeaclue。Hesprangbackacrosstheditch，turneduptheedgesofhistrouserswheretheyhadbeenmoistenedbythedewandwalkedslowlyalongthedustystreet。Hewasnolongeraloneinthelane。Anoldman，accompaniedbyalargedog，cameoutfromoneofthenewhousesandwalkedtowardsthedetective，hewasveryevidentlygoinginthedirectionoftheelder-tree，whichhadalreadybeensuchacentreofinterestthatmorning。WhenhemetMuller，theoldmanhalted，touchedhiscapandaskedinaconfidentialtone：\"Isupposeyou’vebeentoseetheplacealready？\"
\"Whichplace？\"wasMuller’sreservedanswer。
Why，Imeantheplacewheretheyfoundthemanwhowasmurdered。
Theyfoundhimunderthatelder-tree。Mywifejustheardofitandtoldme。Isupposeeverybodyroundherewillknowitsoon。\"
\"Wasthereamanmurderedhere？\"askedMuller，asifsurprisedbythenews。
\"Yes，hewasshotlastnight。OnlyIdon’tunderstandwhyIdidn’theartheshot。Icouldn’tsleepawinkallnightforthepaininmybones。\"
\"Youlivenearhere，then？\"
\"Yes，IliveinNo。1。Didn’tyouseemecomingout？\"
\"Ididn’tnoticeit。IcameacrossthewetmeadowsandIstoopedtoturnupmytrouserssothattheywouldn’tgetdusty-itmusthavebeenthenyoucameout。\"
\"Why，thenyoumusthavebeenrightneartheplaceIwastalkingabout。Doyouseethateldertreethere？It’stheonlyoneinthestreet，andthegirlwhobringsthemilkfoundthemanunderit。
Thepolicehavebeenherealreadyandhavetakenhimaway。Theydiscoveredhimaboutsixo’clockandnowit’sjustseven。\"
\"Andyouhadn’tanysuspicionthatthisdreadfulthingwashappeningsonearyou？\"askedthedetectivecasually。
\"Ididn’tknowathing，sir，notathing。Therecouldn’thavebeenafightorIwouldhaveheardit。ButIdon’tknowwhyI
didn’theartheshot。\"
\"Why，thenyoumusthavebeenasleepafterall，inspiteofyourpain，\"saidMullerwithasmile，ashewalkedalongbesidethemanbacktotheplacefromwhichhehadjustcome。
Theoldmanshookhishead。\"No，ItellyouIdidn’tcloseaneyeallnight。Iwenttobedathalf-pastnineandIsmokedtwopipesbeforeIputoutthelight，andthenIheardeveryhourstrikeallnightlonganditwasn’tuntilnearlyfiveo’clock，whenitwasalmostdawn，thatIdozedoffabit。\"
\"Thenitisastonishingthatyoudidn’thearanything！\"
\"Sureit’sastonishing！Butit’sstillmoreastonishingthatmydogSultandidn’thearanything。Sultanisafamouswatchdog，I’dhaveyouknow。He’llgrowlifanybodypassesthroughthestreetafterdark，andIdon’tseewhyhedidn’tnoticewhatwasgoingonovertherelastnight。Ifaman’sattacked，hegenerallycallsforhelp;it’saqueerbusinessallright。\"
\"Well，Sultan，whydidn’tyoumakeanoise？\"askedMuller，pattingthedog’sbroadhead。Sultangrowledandwalkedonindifferently，afterhehadshakenoffthestrangehand。
\"Hemusthavesleptmoresoundlythanusual。Hewentoffintothecountrywithmeyesterday。Wehadanerrandtodothereandonthewaybackwestoppedinforadrink。Sultantakesadroportwohimselfoccasionally，andthatusuallymakeshimsleep。Ihadhardworktobringhimhome。Wegotherejustafewminutesbeforehalf-pastnineandItellyouwewerebothgoodandtired。\"
Bythistimetheyhadcometotheelder-treeandtheoldman’sstreamoftalkceasedashestoodbeforethespotwherethemysteriouscrimehadoccurred。Helookeddownthoughtfullyatthegrass，nowtrampledbymanyfeet。\"Whocouldhavedoneit？\"hemurmuredfinally，withasighthatexpressedhispityforthevictim。
\"HietzingisknowntobeoneofthesafestspotsinVienna，\"
remarkedMuller。
\"Indeeditis，sir;indeeditis。Asitwouldwellhavetobewiththeroyalcastlesrighthereintheneighbourhood！IndeeditwouldhavetobesafewiththeCourtcominghereallthetime。\"
\"Why，yes，youseemorepoliceherethananywhereelseinthecity。\"
\"Yes，they’realwaysstickingtheirnoseinwherethey’renotnecessary，\"remarkedtheoldman，notrealisingtowhomhewasspeaking。\"Theyfussabouteverythingyoudoordon’tdo，andyetamancanbeshotdownrightunderourverynoseshereandthepolicecan’thelpit。\"
\"But，mydearsir，itisn’talwayspossibleforthepolicetopreventacriminalcarryingouthisevilintention，\"saidMullergood-naturedly。
\"Well，whynot？iftheywatchoutsharpenough？\"
\"Thepolicewatchoutsharperthanmostpeoplethink。Buttheycan’tcatchamanuntilhehascommittedhiscrime，canthey？\"
\"No，Isupposenot，\"saidtheoldman，withanotherglanceattheelder-tree。HebowedtoMullerandturnedandwalkedaway。
Mullerfollowedhimslowly，verymuchpleasedwiththismeeting，forithadgivenhimanewclue。Therewasnoreasontodoubttheoldman’sstory。Andifthisstorywastrue，thenthecrimehadbeencommittedbeforehalf-pastnineoftheeveningprevious。Fortheoldman-hewasevidentlythejanitorinNo。1-hadnotheardtheshot。
Mullerleftthesceneofthecrimeandwalkedtowardsthefourhouses。Beforehereachedthemhehadtopassthegardenwhichbelongedtothehousewiththemansardroof。Rightandleftofthisgardenwerevacantlots，aswellasontheoppositesideofthestreet。Thencametotherightandleftthefournewhouseswhichstoodatthebeginningofthequietlane。Mullerpassedthem，turnedupacrossstreetandthendownagain，intothestreetrunningparallel，tothelane，aquietaristocraticstreetonwhichfrontedthehousewiththemansardroof。
Acarriagestoodinfrontofthishouse，twogreattrunkspiledupontheboxbesidethedriver。Ayounggirlandanoldmaninliverywereplacingbagsandbundlesofrugsinsidethecarriage。
Mullerwalkedslowlytowardthecarriage。Justashereachedtheopengateofthegardenhewasobligedtohalt，tohisowngreatsatisfaction。Foratthismomentagroupofpeoplecameoutfromthehouse，theownersofitevidently，preparedforajourneyandsurroundedbytheirservants。
Besidetheoldmanandtheyounggirl，thereweretwootherwomen，oneevidentlythehousekeeper，theotherpossiblythecook。Thelatterwasweepingopenlyanddevoutlykissingthehandofhermistress。Thehousekeeperdiscoveredthatarugwasmissingandsentthemaidbackforit，whiletheoldservanthelpedtheladyintothecarriage。ThedoorofthecarriagewaswideopenandMullerhadagoodglimpseofthepale，sweet-facedanddelicate-lookingyoungwomenwholeanedbackinhercorner，shiveringandevidentlyill。Theservantsbustledabout，makinghercomfortable，whileherhusbandsuperintendedtheworkwithanxioustenderness。Hewasatall，fine-lookingmanwithdeep-setgreyeyesandarich，sympatheticvoice。Hegavehisorderstohisservantswithcalmauthority，buthealsowasevidentlysufferingfromthediseaseofourcentury-nervousness，forMullersawthattheman’shandsclenchedfeverishlyandthathislipsweretremblingunderhisdroopingmoustache。
Themaidhasteneddownwiththerugandspreaditoverhermistress’sknees，asthegentlemanexclaimednervously：\"Dohurrywiththat！Doyouwantustomissthetrain？\"
Thebutlerclosedthedoorofthecarriage，thecoachmangatheredupthereinsandraisedhiswhip。Thehousekeeperbowedlowandmurmuredafewwordsinfarewellandtheotherservantsfollowedherexamplewithtearsintheireyes。\"You’llseeusagaininsixweeks，\"theladycalledoutandherhusbandadded：\"Ifallgoeswell。\"Thenhemotionedtothewaitingdriverandthecarriagemovedoffswiftly，turningthecornerinafewmoments。
Thelittlegroupofservantsreturnedtothecourtyardbehindthehighgates。Muller，whomtheyhadnotnoticed，wasabouttoresumehiswalk，whenhehaltedagain。Thecourtyardofthehouseledbackthroughaflaggedwalktothepark-likegardenthatsurroundeditonthesidesandrear。Downthiswalkcameayoungwoman。Shecamesoquicklythatonemightalmostcallitrunning。Shewasevidentlyexcitedaboutsomething。Mullerimaginedwhatthissomethingmightbe，andheremainedtohearwhatshehadtosay。Hewasnotmistaken。Thewoman，itwasMrs。Schmiedler，thegardener’swife，beganherstoryatonce。\"Haven’tyouheardyet？\"shesaidbreathlessly。\"No，youcan’thaveheardityetoryouwouldn’tstandtheresoquietly，Mrs。Bernauer。\"
\"What’sthematter？\"askedthewomanwhomMullertooktobethehousekeeper。
\"Theykilledamanlastnightouthere！Theyfoundhisbodyjustnowinthelanebackofourgarden。ThejanitorfromNo。1toldmeasIwasgoingtothestore，soIwentrightbacktolookattheplace，andIcametotellyou，asIdidn’tthinkyou’dheardityet。\"
Mrs。Bernauerwasevidentlyawomanofstrongconstitutionandofanequablemind。Theotherthreeservantsbrokeoutintoanexcitedhubbuboftalkwhilesheremainedquiteindifferentandcalm。\"Onemorepoorfellowwhohadtoleavetheworldbeforehewasready，\"sheremarkedcalmly，withjustthenaturaltouchofpityinhervoicethatwouldcometoanywarm-heartedhumanbeinguponhearingofsuchanoccurrence。Shedidnotseematallexcitedoralarmedtothinkthatthesceneofthecrimehadbeensonear。
Theotherservantswereverymuchmoreexcitedandhadalreadyrushedoff，undertheguidanceofthegardener’swife，tolookatthedreadfulspot。Franz，thebutler，hadquiteforgottentoclosethefrontgateinhisexcitement，andthehousekeeperturnedtodoitnow。
\"Thefools，seethemrun，\"sheexclaimedhalfaloud。\"Asiftherewasanythingforthemtodothere。\"
Thegateclosed，Mrs。Bernauerturnedandwalkedslowlytothehouse。Mullerwalkedonalso，goingfirsttothepolicestationtoreportwhathehaddiscovered。Thenhewenttohisownroomsandsleptuntilnearlynoon。Onhisreturntothepolicestationhefoundthatnoticesoftheoccurrencehadalreadybeensentouttothepapers。
CHAPTERIII
THEEVENINGPAPER
Theautopsyprovedbeyondadoubtthatthemurderedmanhadbeendeadformanyhoursbeforethediscoveryofhisbody。Thebulletwhichhadstruckhiminthebackhadpiercedthetracheaanddeathhadoccurredwithinafewminutes。TheonlymarksforidentificationofthebodyweretheinitialsL。W。onhisunderwear。
Theeveningpaperprintedanexactdescriptionoftheman’sappearanceandhisclothing。
Itwasaboutteno’clocknextmorningwhenMrs。Klingmayer，awidowlivinginaquietstreetattheoppositeendofthecityfromHietzing，returnedfromhermorningmarketing。Itwasonlyafewlittlebundlesthatshebroughtwithherandshesetaboutpreparinghersimpledinner。Herpackageswerewrappedinnewspapers，whichshecarefullysmoothedoutandlaidonthedresser。
Mrs。Klingmayerwasthewidowofastreet-carconductorandthelittlepensionwhichshereceivedfromthecompany，aswellasthemoneyshecouldearnforherself，didnotpermitoftheindulgenceinadailynewspaper。Andyetthereadingofthepaperswastheoneluxuryforwhichthesimplewomanlonged。Hergrocer，whowasafriendofyears，knewthisandwouldwrapupherpurchasesinpapersofrecentdate，knowingthatshecouldthenenjoytheminherfewmomentsofleisure。To-daythisleisurecameunexpectedlyearly，forMrs。Klingmayerhadlessworkthanusualtoattendto。
Herlittleflatconsistedoftworoomsandakitchenwithalargeclosetopeningoutfromit。Shelivedinthekitchenandrentedthefrontrooms。Hertenantswereamiddle-agedman，inspectorinafactory，whohadthelargerroom;andayoungermanwhowasbookkeeperinanimportinghouseinthecity。Butthisyoungmanhadnotbeenathomeforforty-eighthours，afact，however，whichdidnotgreatlyworryhislandlady。Thegentlemaninquestionlivedaratherdissipatedlifeanditwasnotthefirsttimethathehadremainedawayfromhomeovernight。Itistruethatitwasthefirsttimethathehadnotbeenhomefortwosuccessivenights。
ButasMrs。Klingmayerthought，everythinghastohappenthefirsttimesometime。\"It’snotlikelytobethelasttime，\"theworthywomanthought。
Atalleventsshewasrathergladofitto-day，forshesufferedfromrheumatismanditwasdifficultforhertogetabout。Theyoungman’sabsencesavedhertheworkoffixinguphisroomthatmorningandallowedhertogettoherreadingearlierthanusual。
Whenshehadputthepotofsouponthefire，shesatdownbythewindow，adjustedherbigspectaclesandbegantoread。Tohergreatdelightshediscoveredthatthepapersheheldinherhandborethedateofthepreviousafternoon。Inspiteofthegoodintentionsofherfriendthegrocer，itwasnotalwaysthatshecouldgetapaperofsorecentdate，andshebegantoreadwithdoubledanticipationofpleasure。
Shedidnotwastetimeontheleadingarticles，forsheunderstoodlittleaboutpolitics。Theserialstorieswereagreatdelighttoher，orwouldhavebeen，ifshehadeverbeenabletofollowthemconsecutively。Butherprincipaljoyweretheeverydayhappeningsofvariedinterestwhichshefoundinthenewscolumns。To-dayshewassoabsorbedinthereadingofthemthatthesouppotbegantoboiloverandsendoutrivuletsdownontothestove。OrdinarilythiswouldhaveshockedMrs。Klingmayer，fortheneatnessofherpotsandpanswastheonegreatcareofherlife。Butnow，strangetorelate，shepaidnoattentiontothesoup，nortothesmellandthesmokethatarosefromthestove。Shehadjustcomeuponanoticeinthepaperwhichtookherentireattention。Shereaditthroughthreetimes，andeachtimewithgrowingexcitement。Thisiswhatsheread：
MURDERINHIETZING
Thismorningatsixo’clockthebodyofamanabout30yearsoldwasdiscoveredinalaneinHietzing。Themanmusthavebeendeadmanyhours。Hehadbeenshotfrombehind。Thedeadmanwastallandthin，withbrowneyes，brownhairandmoustache。
ThelettersL。W。wereembroideredinhisunderwear。Therewasnothingelsediscoveredonhimthatcouldreveal-hisidentity。
Hiswatchandpursewerenotinhispockets：presumablytheyhadbeentakenbythemurderer。Astrangefactisthatinoneofhispockets-ahiddenpocketitistrue-therewasthesumof300guldensinbills。
ThiswasthenoticewhichmadeMrs。Klingmayerneglectthesouppot。
Finallytheoldwomanstoodupveryslowly，threwaglanceatthestoveandopenedthewindowmechanically。Thensheliftedthepotsfromthefireandsetthemontheouteredgeoftherange。Andthenshedidsomethingthatordinarilywouldhaveshockedhereconomicalsoul-shepouredwateronthefiretoputitout。
Whenshesawthattherewasnotasparkleftinthestove，shewentintoherownlittleroomandpreparedtogoout。Herexcitementcausedhertoforgetherrheumatismentirely。Onemorelookaroundherlittlekitchen，thenshelockeditupandsetoutforthecentreofthecity。
Shewenttotheofficeoftheimportinghousewherehertenant，LeopoldWinkler，wasemployedasbookkeeper。Theclerkatthedoornoticedthewoman’sexcitementandaskedherkindlywhatthetroublewas。
\"I’dliketospeaktoMr。Winkler，\"shesaideagerly。
\"Mr。Winklerhasn’tcomeinyet，\"answeredtheyoungman。\"Isanythingthematter？Youlooksowhite！Winklerwillprobablyshowupsoon，he’sneververypunctual。Butit’saftereleveno’clocknowandhe’sneverbeenaslateasthisbefore。\"
\"I’don’tbelievehe’llevercomeagain，\"saidtheoldwoman，sinkingdownonabenchbesidethe’door。
\"Why，whatdoyoumean？\"askedtheclerk。\"Whyshouldn’thecomeagain？\"
\"Istheheadofthefirmhere？\"askedMrs。Klingmayer，wipingherforeheadwithherhandkerchief。Theclerknoddedandhurriedawaytotellhisemployeraboutthewomanwiththewhitefacewhocametoaskforamanwho，assheexpressedit，\"wouldnevercomethereagain。\"
\"Idon’tthinkshe’squiterightinthehead，\"hevolunteered。Theheadofthefirmtoldhimtobringthewomanintotheinneroffice。
\"Whoareyou，mygoodwoman？\"heaskedkindly，softenedbytheevidentagitationofthispoorlythoughneatlydressedwoman。
\"IamMr。Winkler’slandlady，\"sheanswered。
\"Ah！andhewantsyoutotellmethathe’ssick？I’mafraidIcan’tbelieveallthatthisgentlemansays。Ihopehe’snotaskingyourhelptolietome。Areyousurethathisillnessisanythingelsebutacaseofbeinguplate？\"
\"Idon’tthinkthathe’lleverbesickagain-Ididn’tcomewithanymessagefromhim，sir;pleasereadthis，sir。\"Andshehandedhimthenewspaper，showinghimthenotice。Whilethegentlemanwasreadingsheadded：\"Mr。Winklerdidn’tcomehomelastnighteither。\"
Winkler’semployerreadthefewlines，thenlaidthepaperasidewithaveryseriousface。\"Whendidyouseehimlast？\"heaskedofthewoman。
\"Daybeforeyesterdayinthemorning。Hewentawayabouthalf-pasteightasheusuallydoes，\"shereplied。Andthensheaddedaquestionofherown：\"Washeheredaybeforeyesterday？\"
Themerchantnoddedandpressedanelectricbell。Thenherosefromhisseatandpulledupachairforhisvisitor。\"Sitdownhere。
Thisthinghasfrightenedyouandyouarenolongeryoung。\"Whentheservantentered，themerchanttoldhimtoasktheheadbookkeepertocometotheinneroffice。
Whenthisofficialappeared，hisemployerinquired：
\"WhendidWinklerleaveheredaybeforeyesterday？\"
\"Atsixo’clock，sir，asusual。\"
\"Hewasherealldaywithoutinterruption？\"
\"Yes，sir，withtheexceptionoftheusualluncheonhour。\"
\"DidhehavethehandlingofanymoneyMonday？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Thankyou，Mr。Pokorny，\"saidthemerchant，handinghisemployeetheeveningpaperandpointingtothenoticewhichhadsointerestedhim。
Pokornyreadit，hisface，likehisemployer’s，growingmoreserious。
\"ItlooksalmostasifitmustbeWinkler，sir，\"hesaid，inafewmoments。
\"Wewillsoonfindthatout。Ishouldliketogotothepolicestationmyselfwiththiswoman;sheisWinkler’slandlady-butI
thinkitwillbebetterforyoutoaccompanyher。TheywillaskquestionsaboutthemanwhichyouwillbebetterabletoanswerthanI。\"
Pokornybowedandlefttheroom。Mrs。Klingmayerroseandwasabouttofollow，whenthemerchantaskedhertowaitamomentandinquiredwhetherWinklerowedheranything。\"Iamsorrythatyoushouldhavehadthisshockandtheannoyancesandtroublewhichwillcomeofit，butIdon’twantyoutobeoutofpocketbyit。\"
\"No，hedoesn’towemeanything，\"repliedthehonestoldwoman，shakingherhead。Afewbigtearsrolleddownoverherwitheredcheeks，possiblytheonlytearsthatwereshedforthedeadmanundertheelder-tree。Buteventhissympatheticsoulcouldfindnothingtosayinhispraise。Shecouldfeelpityforhisdreadfuldeath，butshecouldnotassertthattheworldhadlostanythingbyhisgoingoutofit。Asifsaddenedbytheimpossibilityoffindingasinglegoodwordtosayaboutthedeadman，shelefttheofficewithdroopingheadandlaggingstep。
Pokornyhelpedherintothecabthatwasalreadywaitingbeforethedoor。Theofficeforcehadgotwindofthefactthatsomethingunusualhadoccurredandwereallatthewindowstoseethemdriveoff。ThethreeclerkswhoworkedinthedepartmenttowhichWinklerbelongedgatheredtogethertotalkthematterover。Theywerenoneofthemparticularlyhitbyit，butnaturallytheywereinterestedinthediscoveryinHietzing，andequallynaturally，theytriedtofindafewgoodwordstosayaboutthemanwhoselifehadendedsosuddenly。
Theyoungestofthem，FritzBormann，saidsomekindwordsandwasabouttowaxmoreenthusiastic，whenDegenhart，theeldestclerk，cutinwiththewords：\"Oh，don’ttroubleyourself。NobodyeverlikedWinklerhere。’Hewasnotagoodman-hewasnotevenagoodworker。Thisisthefirsttimethathehasareasonableexcuseforneglectinghisduties。\"
\"Oh，come，seehere！howcanyoutalkaboutthepoormanthatwaywhenhe’sscarcelycoldindeathyet，\"saidFritzindignantly。
Degenhartlaughedharshly。
\"DidIeversayanythingelseabouthimwhilehewaswarmandalive？
Deathisnoreasonforchangingone’sopinionaboutamanwhowasgood-for-nothinginlife。Andhisdeathwasastrokeofgoodluckthathescarcelydeserved。Hediedwithoutamoment’spain，withamerrythoughtinhishead，perhaps，whilemanyanotherbettermanhastolingerintortureforweeks。No，Bormann，thebestIcansayaboutWinkleristhathisdeathmakesonenonentitythelessonearth。\"
Theoldermanturnedtohisdeskagainandthetwoyoungerclerkscontinuedtheconversation：\"Degenhartappearstobeahardman，\"
saidFritz，\"buthe’sthebestandkindestpersonIknow，andhe’sdeadrightinwhathesays。Itwassimplyacaseofconventionalsuperstition。IneverdidlikethatWinkler。\"
\"No，you’reright，\"saidtheother。NeitherdidIandIdon’tknowwhy，forthematterofthat。Heseemedjustlikeathousandothers。Ineverheardofanythingparticularlywrongthathedid。\"
\"No，nomoredidI，\"continuedBormann，\"butIneverheardofanythinggoodabouthimeither。Anddon’tyouthinkthatit’sworseforamantoseemtorepelpeoplebyhisverypersonality，ratherthanbyanyparticularbadthingthathedoes？\"
\"Yes。Idon’tknowhowtoexplainit，butthat’sjusthowIfeelaboutit。IhadaninstinctivefeelingthattherewassomethingwrongaboutWinkler，thesortofacreepy，crawlyfeelingthatasnakegivesyou。\"
CHAPTERIV
SPEAKWELLOFTHEDEAD
MeanwhilePokomyandMrs。Klingmayerhadreachedthepolicestationandweregoingupstairstotheroomsofthecommissioneronservicefortheday。Likeallpeopleofherclass，Mrs。Klingmayerstoodingreataweandterrorofanythingconnectedwiththepoliceorthelawgenerally。ShecreptslowlyandtremblinglyupthestairsbehindtheheadbookkeeperandwasverygladwhenshewasleftaloneforafewminuteswhilePokornywentintoseethecommissioner。
Butassoonashiserrandwasknown，boththebookkeeperandhiscompanionwereledintotheofficeofHeadCommissionerDr。vonRiedau，whohadchargeoftheHietzingmurdercase。
WhenDr。vonRiedauheardthereasonoftheircoming，hisinterestwasimmediatelyaroused，andhepulledachairtohissideforthelittlethinmanwithwhomhehadbeentalkingwhenthetwostrangerswereusheredin。
\"Thenyoubelieveyoucouldidentifythemurderedman？\"askedthecommissioner。
\"Fromthegeneraldescriptionandtheinitialsonhislinen，I
believeitmustbeLeopoldWinkler，\"answeredPokorny。\"Mrs。
KlingmayerhasnotseenhimsinceMondaymorning，norhasshehadanymessagefromhim。HelefttheofficeMondayafternoonat6
o’clockandthatwasthelasttimethatwesawhim。Theonlythingthatmakesmedoubthisidentityisthatthepaperreportsthatthreehundredguldenwerefoundinhispocket。Winklerneverseemedtohavemoney，andIdonotunderstandhowheshouldhavebeeninpossessionofsuchasum。\"
\"Themoneywasfoundinthedeadman’spockets，\"saidthecommissioner。\"AndyetitmaybeWinkler，themanyouknow。
Muller，willyouorderacab，please？\"
Ihaveacabwaitingforme。Butitonlyholdstwo，\"volunteeredPokorny。
\"Thatdoesn’tmatter，I’llsitonthebox，\"answeredthemanaddressedasMuller。
\"Youaregoingwithus？\"askedPokorny。
\"Yes，hewillaccompanyyou，\"repliedthecommissioner。\"ThisisdetectiveMuller，sir。Byamerechance，hehappenedtobeonhandtotakechargeofthiscaseandhewillremainincharge，althoughitmaybewastinghistalentswhichweneedformoredifficultproblems。Ifyouoranyoneelsehaveanythingtotellus，itmustbetoldonlytomeortoMuller。Andbeforeyouleavetolookatthebody，Iwouldliketoknowwhetherthedeadmanownedawatch，orratherwhetherhehaditwithhimonthedayofthemurder。\"
\"Yes，sir;hedidhaveawatch，agoldwatch，\"answeredMrs。
Klingmayer。
Riedaulookedatthebookkeeper，whonoddedandsaid：\"Yes，sir;
Winklerhadawatch，agoldwatchwithadoublecase。Itwasalargewatch，verythick。IhappentohavenoticeditbychanceandalsoIhappentoknowthathehadnothadthewatchforverylong。\"
\"Canyoutellusanythingmoreaboutthewatch？\"askedthecommissionerofthelandlady。
\"Yes，sir;therewasengravingontheoutsidecover，initials，andacrownontheotherside。\"
\"Whatweretheinitials？\"
\"Idon’tknowthat，sir;atleastI’mnotsureaboutit。ThereweresomanytwistsandcurvestothemthatIcouldn’tmakethemout。IthinkoneofthemwasaWthough，sir。\"
\"TheotherwasprobablyanLthen。\"
\"Thatmightbe，sir。\"
\"Theyoungerclerksintheofficemaybeabletotellsomethingmoreaboutthewatch，\"saidPokorny，\"fortheywerequiteinterestedinitforawhile。ItwasahandsomewatchandtheywereenviousofWinkler’spossessionofit。Buthewassotactlessinhisboastingaboutitthattheypaidnofurtherattentiontohimafterthefirstexcitement。\"
\"Yousayhedidn’thavethewatchlong？\"
\"SincespringIthink，sir。\"
\"Hebroughtithomeonthe19thofMarch，\"interruptedMrs。
Klingmayer。\"Irememberthedaybecauseitwasmybirthday。I
pretendedthathehadbroughtithometomeforapresent。\"
\"Washeinthehabitofmakingyoupresents？\"
\"Oh，no，sir;hewasveryclosewithhismoney，sir。
\"Well，perhapshedidn’thavemuchmoneytobegenerouswith。Nowtellmeabouthiswatchchain。Isupposehehadawatchchain？\"
Boththebookkeeperandthelandladynoddedandthelatterexclaimed：
\"Oh，yes，sir;Icouldrecogniseitinaminute。\"
\"How？\"
\"ItwasbrokenonceandMr。Winklermendedithimself。Ilenthimmypliersandhebentthetwolinkstogetherwiththem。Itdidn’tlookveryniceafterthat，butitwasstrongagain。Youcouldseethemarkoftheplierseasily。\"
\"Whydidn’thetakethechaintothejeweler’stobefixed？\"askedthecommissioner。
Thewomansmiled。\"Itwouldn’thavebeenworththemoney，sir;thechainwasn’trealgold。\"
\"Butthewatchwasreal，wasn’tit？\"
\"Oh，yes，sir;thatwasrealgold。IpawneditonceforMr。Winklerandtheygaveme24guldenforit。\"
\"Onequestionmore，didhehaveapurse？Anddidhehaveitwithhimonthedayofthemurder？\"
\"Yes，sir;hehadapurse，andhemusthavetakenitwithhimbecausehedidn’tleaveitinhisroom。\"
\"Whatsortofapursewasit？\"
\"Abrownleatherpurse，sir。\"
\"Wasitanewone？\"
\"Oh，no，sir;itwaswellworn。\"
\"Howbigwasit？Aboutlikemine？\"Riedautookouthisownpocketbook。
\"No，sir;itwasalittlesmaller。Ithadthreepocketsinit。
Imendeditforhimonce，soIknowitwell。Ididn’thaveanybrownthreadsoImendeditwithyellow。\"
Dr。vonRiedaunoddedtoMuller。Thelatterhadbeensittingatalittleside-tablewritingdownthequestionsandanswers。WhenRiedausawthishedidnotsendforaclerktodothework，forMullerpreferredtoattendtosuchmattershimselfasmuchaspossible。Thefactsgainedintheexaminationwereimpresseduponhismindwhilehewaswritingthem，andhedidnothavetowadethroughpagesofmanuscripttogetatwhatheneeded。Nowhehandedhissuperiorofficerthepaper。
\"Thankyou，\"saidRiedau，\"I’llsenditouttotheotherpolicestations。Iwillattendtothismyself。Yougoonwiththesepeopletosee。whethertheycanidentifythecorpse。\"
FifteenminuteslaterthethreestoodbeforethebodyinthemorgueandboththebookkeeperandhiscompanionidentifiedthedeadmanpositivelyasLeopoldWinkler。
Whentheidentificationwasmade，anoticewassentouttoallAustrianpolicestationsandtoallpawnshopswithanexactdescriptionofthestolenwatchandpurse。
Mullerledhiscompanionsbacktothecommissioner’sofficeandtheymadetheirreporttoDr。vonRiedau。Uponbeingquestionedfurther，Pokornystated：\"IhadverylittletodowithWinkler。Wemetonlywhenhehadareporttomaketomeortoshowmehisbooks，andwenevermetoutsidetheoffice。Theclerkswhoworkedinthesameroomwithhim，mayknowhimbetter……Iknowonlythathewasaveryreservedmanandverylittleliked。\"
\"ThenIdonotneedtodetainyouanylonger，nortotroubleyoufurtherinthisaffair。Ithankyouforcomingtoussopromptly。
Ithasbeenofgreatassistance。\"
Thebookkeeperleftthestation，butMrs。Klingmayer，whowasnowquitereassuredastotheharmlessnessofthepolice，wasaskedtoremainandtotellwhatsheknewoftheprivatelifeofthemurderedman。Heranswerstothevariousquestionsputtoherprovedthatsheknewverylittleabouthertenant。Butthismuchwaslearnedfromher：thathewasveryclosewithhismoneyattimes，butthatagainatothertimesheseemedtohaveallhewantedtospend。Atsuchtimeshepaidallhisdebts，andwhenhestayedhomeforsupper，hewouldsendheroutforallsortsofexpensivedelicacies。TheseextravagantdaysseemedtohavenothingwhatevertodowithWinkler’sbusinesspayday，butcameatoddtimes。
Mrs。Klingmayerrememberedtwoseparatetimeswhenhehadreceivedapostalmoneyorder。Butshedidnotknowfromwhomtheletterscame，norevenwhethertheyweresentfromthecityorfromsomeothertown。Winklerreceivedotherlettersnowandthen，buthislandladywasnotofthepryingkind，andshehadpaidverylittleattentiontothem。
Heseemedtohavefewfriendsorevenacquaintances。Shedidnotknowofanyloveaffair，atleastofnothing\"regular。\"Hehadremainedawayovernighttwoorthreetimesduringtheyearthathehadbeenhertenant。ThiswasaboutallthatMrs。Klingmayercouldsay，andshereturnedtoherhomeinacabfurnishedherbythekindcommissioner。
Abouttwohourslater，apoliceattendantannouncedthatagentlemanwouldliketoseeDr。vonRiedanonbusinessconcerningthemurderinHietzing。\"FriedrichBormann\"wasthenameonthecard。
\"Askhimtostepinhere，\"saidthecommissioner。\"AndpleaseaskMr。Mullertojoinus。\"
Thegood-lookingyoungclerkenteredtheofficebashfullyandMullerslippedinbehindhim，seatinghimselfinconspicuouslybythedoor。
Atasignfromthecommissionerthevisitorbegan。\"IamanemployeeofBraun&Co。IhavethedesknexttoLeopoldWinkler，duringtheyearthathehasbeenwithus-theyearandaquartertobeexact-\"
\"Ah，thenyouknowhimratherwell？\"
\"Why，yes。Atleastweweretogetherallday，althoughInevermethimoutsidetheoffice。\"
\"Thenyoucannottellusmuchabouthisprivatelife？\"
\"No，sir，buttherewassomethinghappenedonMonday，andintalkingitoverwithMr。Braun，hesuggestedthatIshouldcometoyouandtellyouaboutit。Itwasn’treallyveryimportant，anditdoesn’tseemasifitcouldhaveanythingtodowiththismurderandrobbery;
stillitmaybeofsomeuse。\"
\"Everythingthatwouldthrowlightonthedeadman’slifecouldbeofuse，\"saidDr。vonRiedau。\"Pleasetelluswhatitisyouknow。\"
FritzBormannbegan：\"WinklercametotheofficeasusualonMondaymorningandworkedsteadilyathisdesk。ButIhappenedtonoticethathespoiledseverallettersandhadtorewritethem，whichshowedmethathisthoughtswerenotonhiswork，afrequentoccurrencewithhim。However，everythingwentalongasusualuntil11o’clock。ThenWinklerbecameveryuneasy。Helookedconstantlytowardthedoor，comparedhiswatchwiththeofficeclock，andsprangupimpatientlyasthespeciallettercarrier，whousuallycomesabout11withmoneyorders，finallyappeared。\"
\"Thenhewasexpectingmoneyyouthink？\"
\"Itmusthavebeenso。Forasthelettercarrierpassedhim，hecalledout：’Haven’tyouanythingforme？’andasthemanshookhisheadWinklerseemedgreatlydisappointedanddepressed。Beforehelefttogotolunch，hewroteahastyletter，whichheputinhispocket。
\"Hecameinhalfanhourlaterthantherestofus。Hehadoftenbeenreprimandedforhislackofpunctuality，butitseemedtodonogood。Hewasalmostalwayslate。Mondaywasnoexception，althoughhewaslaterthanusualthatday。\"
\"Andwhatsortofamoodwasheinwhenhecameback？\"
\"Hewasirritableanddepressed。Heseemedtobeawaitingamessagewhichdidnotcome。Hisexcitementhinderedhimfromworking，hescarcelydidanythingtheentireafternoon。Finallyatfiveo’clockamessengerboycamewithaletterforhim。IsawthatWinklerturnedpaleashetookthenoteinhishand。Itseemedtobeonlyafewwordswrittenhastilyonacard，thrustintoanenvelope。
Winkler’steethweresetasheopenedtheletter。Themessengerhadalreadygoneaway。\"
\"Didyounoticehisnumber？\"askedDr。vonRiedau。
\"No，Iscarcelynoticedthemanatall。IwaslookingatWinkler，whosebehaviourwassopeculiar。Whenhereadthecardhisfacebrightened。Hereaditthroughoncemore，thenhetorebothcardandenvelopeintolittlebitsandthrewthepiecesoutoftheopenwindow。
\"Thenheevidentlydidnotwantanybodytoseethecontentsofthisnote，\"saidavoicefromthecorneroftheroom。
FritzBormannlookedaroundastonishedandratherdoubtfulatthelittlemanwhohadrisenfromhischairandnowcameforward。