Withoutwaitingforananswerfromtheclerk，theothercontinued：
\"DidWinklerhavemoneysenthimfrequently？\"
Bormannlookedinquiringlyatthecommissioner，whorepliedwithasmile：\"Youmayanswer。AnsweranythingthatMr。Mullerhastoaskofyou，asheisinchargeofthiscase。\"
\"AsfarasIcanremember，ithappenedthreetimes，\"wasBormann’sanswer。
\"Howclosetogether？\"
\"Why-aboutonceineverythreeorfourmonths，Ithink。\"
\"Thatlooksalmostlikearegularincome，\"exclaimedRiedau。HiseyesmetMuller’s，whichwerelitupinsuddenfire。\"Well，whatareyouthinkingof？\"askedthecommissioner。
\"Awoman，\"answeredMuller;andcontinuedmoreasifthinkingaloudthanasifaddressingtheothers：\"Winklerwasagood-lookingman。Mighthenothavehadarichlovesomewhere？Mightnotthemoneyhavecomefromher，themoneythatwasfoundinhispocket？\"
Muller’svoicetrailedoffintoindistinctnessatthelastwords，andthefirediedoutofhiseyes。Thenhelaughedaloud。
Thecommissionersmiledalso，agood-naturedsmile，suchasonewouldgivetoachildwhohasbeenover-eager。\"Itdoesn’tmattertouswherethemoneycamefrom。Allthatmattershereiswherethebulletcamefrom-thebulletwhichpreventedhisenjoyingthismoney。Anditisofmoreinteresttoustofindoutwhorobbedhimofhislifeandhisproperty，ratherthanthesourcefromwhichthispropertycame。
Thecommissioner’stonewasfriendly，butMuller’sfaceflushedred，andhis，headdropped。RiedauturnedtoBormannandcontinued：\"Andbecauseitisofnointeresttouswherehismoneycamefrom-foritcanhavenothingwhatevertodowithhismurderandthesubsequentrobbery-thereforewhatyounoticedofhisbehaviourcannotbeofanyimportanceorbearinginthecaseinanyway。Unless，indeed，youshouldfindoutanythingmore。Butweappreciatethethoughtfulnessofyourselfandyouremployerandyourreadinesstohelpus。\"
Bormannrosetoleave，butthecommissionerputoutahandtostophim。\"Afewmomentsmore，please;youmayknowofsomethingelsethatwillbeofassistancetous。WehaveheardthatWinklerboastedofhisbelongings-didhetalkabouthisprivateaffairsinanyway？\"
\"No，sir，Idonotthinkhedid。\"
\"Yousaythathedestroyedthenoteatonce，evidentlyrealisingthatnoonemustseeit-thisnotemayhavebeenapromiseforthemoneywhichhadnotyetcome。Didhe，however，tellanyonelaterthatheexpectedacertainsum？Doyouthinkhewouldhavebeenlikelytotellanyone？\"
\"No，Idonotthinkthathewouldtellanyone。Henevermentionedtoanyofusthathehadreceivedmoney，oreventhatheexpectedtoreceiveit。Noneofusknewwhatoutsideresourceshemighthave，orwhencetheycame。Ifithadnotbeenthatthemoneywaspaidhimbythecarrierintheofficetwoorthreetimes-so，thatwecouldseeit-wewouldnoneofushaveknownofthisincome，exceptforthefactthathewasfreerinspendingafterthemoneycame。Hewoulddineatexpensiverestaurants，andthisfacthewouldmentiontous，whereasatothertimeshewouldgotothecheapcaf？\"
\"Doyouknowanythingaboutthepeoplehewasacquaintedwithoutsidetheoffice？\"
\"No，sir。Iseldommethimoutsideoftheoffice。OneeveningitdidhappenthatIsawhimatRonacher’s。Hewastherewithalady-thatis，aso-called’lady’-anditmusthavebeenoneofthetimesthathehadmoney，fortheywereenjoyinganexpensivesupper。Atothertimes，someoftheotherclerksmethimatvariousresorts，alwayswiththesamesortofwoman。Butnotalwayswiththesamewoman，fortheyweredifferentinappearance。\"
\"Hewasneverseenanywherewithothermen？\"
\"No，sir;atleastnotbyanyofus。\"
\"Hewasnotlikedintheoffice？\"
\"No。\"Bormann’sanswerwassharp。
\"Forwhatreason？\"
\"Idon’tknow;wejustdidn’tlikehim。Wehadverylittletodowithhimatfirstbecauseofthis，andsoonwenoticedthatheseemedjustasanxioustoavoidusasweweretoavoidhim。\"
ThecommissionerroseandBormannfollowedhisexample。\"Iamverysorry，sir，ifIhavetakenupyourtimetonopurpose，\"saidthelattermodestly，ashetookuphishat。
\"Iamnotsosurethatwhatyouhavesaidmaynotbeofgreatvaluetous，\"saidavoicebehindthem。Mullerstoodthere，lookingatRiedauwithaglancealmostofdefiance。Hiseyeswereagainlitupwiththestrangefirethatshoneinthemwhenhewasonthetrail。
Thecommissionershruggedhisshoulders，bowedtothedepartingvisitor，andthenturnedwithoutananswertosomedocumentsonhisdesk。Therewassilenceintheroomforafewmoments。FinallyagentlevoicecamefromMuller’scorneragain：\"Dr。vonRiedau？\"
Thecommissionerraisedhisheadandlookedaround。\"Oh，areyoustillthere？\"heaskedwithadrawl。
Mullerknewwhatthisdrawlmeant。Itwasthemanneradoptedbytheamiablecommissionerwhenhewasinamoodwhichwasnotamiable。
AndMullerknewalsothecauseofthemood。Itwashisownlastremark，thewordsheaddressedtoBormann。Mullerhimselfrecognisedthefactthatthisremarkwasoutofplace，thatitwasalmostanimpertinence，becauseitwasindirectcontradictiontoastatementmadeafewmomentsbeforebyhissuperiorofficer。Alsoherealisedthathisremarkhadbeenquiteunnecessary，becauseitwasamatterofindifferencetotheyoungman，whowasonlyobeyinghisemployer’sordersinreportingwhathehadseen，whetherhisreportwasofvalueornot。Mullerhadsimplyutteredaloudthethoughtthatcameintohismind，ahabitofhiswhichyearsofofficialtraininghadnotyetsucceededinbreaking。Itwasannoyingtohimselfsometimes，forthesehalf-formedthoughtsweremereinstinct-theyweretheworkingsofhisowngeniusthatmadehimcatchasuspicionofthetruthlongbeforehisconsciousmindcouldreasonitoutorappreciateitsvalue。Butthatsortofthingwasnotpopularinofficialpolicelife。
\"Well，\"askedthecommissioner，asMullerdidnotcontinue，\"yourtongueisnotusuallysoslow-asyouhaveprovedjustafewmomentsback-whatwereyougoingtosaynow？\"
\"Iwasabouttoaskyourpardonformyinterruption。Itwasunnecessary，Ishouldnothavesaidit。\"
\"Well，Irealisethatyouknowbetteryourself，\"saidRiedau，nowquitefriendlyagain，\"andnowwhatelsehaveyoutosay？Doyoureallythinkthatwhattheyoungmanhasjusttoldusisofanyvalueatallforthiscase？\"
\"Itseemstomeasifitmightbeofvaluetous。\"
\"Oh，itseemstoyou，eh？Yourimaginationisworkingovertimeagain，Muller，\"saidthecommissionerwithalaugh。ButthelaughturnedtoseriousnessasherealisedhowmanytimesMuller’simaginationhadhelpedtheclumsyofficialmindtoitsproudesttriumphs。Thecommissionerwasanintelligentman，asfarashislightswent，andhewasagood-heartedman。Herosefromhischairandwalkedovertowherethedetectivestood。\"Youneedn’tlooksoembarrassed，Muller，\"hesaid。\"Thereisnocauseforyoutofeelbadaboutit。And-Iamquitewillingtoadmitthatmyremarkjustnowwasunnecessary。Youmaygiveyourimaginationfullrein，wecantrusttoyourintelligenceandyourdevotiontodutytokeepitfromunnecessaryflights。Socurbed，Iknowitwillbeofasmuchassistancetousthistimeasitalwayshasbeen。\"
Muller’squietfacelitup，andhiseyesshoneinahappinessthatmadehimappeartenyearsyounger。ThatwasoneofthestrangethingsaboutJosephMuller。Thisgeniusinhisprofessionwasinallotherwaysamanofsuchsimplicityofheartandbearing，thattheslightestwordofapprovalfromoneoftheofficialsforwhomheworkedcouldmakehimashappyaspraisefromtheteacherwillmakeaschoolboy。Themomentswhenhewasincommandofanydifficultcase，whenthesesamesuperiorswouldwaitforawordfromhim，whenhighofficialswouldtakehisordersorwouldbeobligedtoacknowledgethatwithouthimtheywerehelpless，thesemomentswereforgottenassoonastheproblemwassolvedandMullerbecameagainthesimplesubordinateandtheobscurememberoftheImperialpoliceforce。
WhenMullerleftthecommissioner’sroomandwalkedthroughtheouteroffice，oneoftheclerkslookedafterhimandwhisperedtohiscompanion：\"Doyouthinkhe’sfoundtheHietzingmurdereryet？\"
Theotheranswered：\"Idon’tthinkso，buthelooksasifhehadfoundaclue。He’llfindhimsoonerorlater。Healwaysdoes。\"
Mullerdidnothearthesewords，althoughtheyalsowouldhavepleasedhim。Hewalkedslowlydownthestairsmurmuringtohimself：
\"IthinkIwasrightjustthesame。Wearefollowingafalsetrail。\"
CHAPTERV
BYATHREAD
ItwasonMonday，the27thofSeptember，thatLeopoldWinklerwasmurderedandrobbed，andearlyonTuesday，the28th，hisbodywasfound。Thatdaytheeveningpapersprintedthereportofthemurderandthedescriptionofthedeadman，andonWednesday，the29th，Mrs。KlingmayerreadthenewsandwenttoseeWinkler’semployer。
Bynoonofthatdaythebodywasidentifiedandadescriptionofthestolenpurseandwatchtelegraphedtopoliceheadquartersinvariouscities。Afewhourslater，thesepolicestationshadsentoutnoticesbymessengertoallpawnshopsanddealersinsecond-handclothing，andnowthemachineryofthelawsatwaitingforsomenewsofanattemptonthepartoftherobber-and-murderertogetridofhisplunder。
OnthissameWednesday，aboutthetwilighthour，DavidGoldstamm，dealerinsecond-handclothing，stoodbeforethedoorofhisshopinasidestreetoftheoldHungariancityofPressburgandwatchedhisassistanttakedowntheclotheswhichwerehangingoutsideandcarrythemintothestore。Theoldman’seyesglancedcarelesslyupanddownthestreetandcaughtsightofamanwhoturnedthecornerandcamehurryingtowardshim。Thismanwasaveryseedy-lookingindividual。Anoldfadedovercoathungabouthisthinfigure，andatornanddustyhatfelloverhislefteye。Heseemedalsotobemuchtheworseforliquorandverywobblyonhisfeet。Andyetheseemedanxioustohurryonwardinspiteoftheunevennessofhiswalk。
Thenheslowedupsuddenly，glancedacrossthestreettoGoldstamm’sstore，andcrossedover。
\"Haveyouanybootsforme？\"heasked，stickingouthisrightfootthatthedealermightseewhetherhehadanythingtherequisitesize。
\"Ithinkthere’ssomethingthere，\"answeredtheoldmaninhisusualbusinessliketone，leadingthewayintothestore。
Thestrangerfollowed。Goldstammlittheonelightinthelittleplaceandgropedaboutinanuntidyheapofshoesofallkindsandsizesuntilhefoundseveralpairsthathethoughtmightfit。Thesehebroughtoutandputtheminfrontofhiscustomer。Butinspiteofhisblearyeyes，themancaughtsightofsomepatchesontheuppersofonepair，andpushedthemawayfromhim。
\"Givemesomethingbetterthanthat。Icanpayforit。Idon’thavetowearpatchedshoes，\"hegrunted。
Goldstammdidn’tlikethelooksoftheman，buthefeltthathehadbetterbecarefulandnotmakehimangry。\"Havepatience，sir，I’llfindyousomethingbetter，\"hesaidgently，tossingtheheapaboutagain，butnowkeepinghisfaceturnedtowardshiscustomer。
\"Iwantacoatalsoandawarmpairoftrousers，\"saidthestrangerinaroughvoice。Hebentdowntoloosentheshabbybootfromhisrightfoot，andashedidsosomethingfelloutofthepocketofhiscoat。AnunconsciousmotionofhisownraisedfootstruckthissmallobjectandtosseditintothemiddleoftheheapofshoesclosebyGoldstamm’shand。Theoldmanreachedoutafteritandcaughtit。Itwasjustanordinarybrownleatherpocketbook，ofmediumsize，oldandshabby，likeathousandothers。Buttheeyesofthelittleoldmanwidenedasifinterror，hisfaceturnedpaleandhishandstrembled。Forhehadseen，hangingfromonesideofthiswornbrownleatherpocketbook，theendofayellowthread，theloosenedendofthethreadwithwhichonesideofthepursewasmended。ThethreadtoldDavidGoldstammwhoitwasthathadcomeintohisshop。
Heregainedhiscontrolwithadesperateeffortofthewill。Ittookhimbutafewsecondstodoso，and，thankstohispartialintoxication，thecustomerhadnotnoticedtheshopkeeper’sstartofalarm。Butheappearedanxiousandimpatienttoregainpossessionofhispurse。
\"Haven’tyoufoundityet？\"heexclaimed。
Goldstammhastenedtogiveitback。Thetrampputthepurseinhispocketwithasighofrelief。Goldstammhadregainedhiscalmandhismindwasworkingeagerly。Heputseveralpairsofshoesbeforehiscustomer，withtheremark：\"Youmusttrythemon。We’llfindsomethingtosuityou。AndmeanwhileIwillbringinseveralpairsoftrousersfromthoseoutside。Ihavesomefinecoatstoshowyoutoo。\"
Goldstammwentouttothedoor，almostcollidingtherewithhisassistantwhowascominginwithhisarmfullofgarments。Theoldmanmotionedtotheboy，whoretreateduntiltheywerebothhiddenfromtheviewofthemanwithinthestore。
\"Givemethosebluetrousersthere，\"saidGoldstamminaloudvoice。
Theninawhisperhesaidtotheboy：\"Runtothepolicestation。
Themanwiththewatchandthepurseisinthere。\"
Theboyunderstoodandsetoffatonceatafastpace，whiletheoldmanreturnedtohisstorewithaheavyheart。Hewonderedwhetherhewouldbeabletokeepthemurdererthereuntilthepolicecouldcome。Andhealsowonderedwhatitmightcosthim，anoldandfeebleman，whowouldbeasaweakreedinthehandsofthestrongtrampinthere。Butheknewitwashisdutytodowhateverhecouldtohelpinthearrestofonewhohadjusttakenthelifeofafellowcreature。Therealisationofthisgavetheoldmanstrengthandcalmness。
\"Anicesortofaneyeforsizeyouhave，\"criedthetrampastheoldmancameuptohim。\"Isupposeyou’vebroughtmeinaboy’ssuit？Whatdoyoutakemefor？Anygirlcouldgotoaballintheshoesyoubroughtmetotryonhere。\"
\"Aretheysomuchtoosmall？\"askedthedealerinaninnocenttone。
\"Well，there’splentymorethere。AndperhapsyouhadbetterbetryingonthissuitbehindthecurtainherewhileI’mhuntinguptheshoes。\"
Thissuggestionseemedtopleasethestranger，ashewasevidentlyinahurry。Hepassedinbehindthecurtainandbegantoundress。
Goldstamm’skeeneyeswatchedhimthroughacrack。Therewasnotmuchtobeseenexceptthatthetrampseemedanxioustokeephisovercoatwithinreachofhishand。Hehadcarefullyputthepurseinoneofitspockets。
We’llgetthethingsalltogetherprettysoon，\"saidthedealer。
\"I’vefoundapairofbootshere，finebootsofgoodquality，andsuretofit。\"
\"Stopyourtalk，\"growledtheother，\"andcomehereandhelpmesothatIcangetaway。\"
Goldstammcameforward，andthoughhisheartwasveryheavywithinhim，heaidedthisman，thismanaboutwhomsomanyhundredswerenowthinkinginterror，ascalmlyashehadaidedhisotherpoorbuthonestcustomers。
Withhandsthatdidnottremble，thedealerbusiedhimselfabouthiscustomer，listeningallthewhiletosoundsinthestreetinthehopethathistete-e-tetewiththemurdererwouldsoonbeover。
Butinspiteofallhisnaturalanxiety，theoldman’ssharpeyestookcognizanceofvariousthings，oneofwhichwasthatthemanwhomhewashelpingtodressinhisnewclothesdidnothavethewatchwhichwasdescribedinthepolicenotice。Thisfact，however，didnotmaketheoldman’sheartanylighter，forthepursemendedwithyellowthreadwastooclearlytheonestolenfromthemurderedmanfoundinthequietstreetinHietzing。
\"What’sthematterwithyou，you’resoslow？Icangetalongbettermyself，\"growledthetramp，pushingtheoldmanawayfromhim。Goldstammhadreallybeguntotremblenowinspiteofhiscontrol，inthefearthatthemanwouldgetawayfromhimbeforethepolicecame。
Thetrampwasalreadydressedinthenewsuit，intoapocketofwhichheputtheoldpurse。
\"There，nowthebootsandthenwe’refinished，\"saidthedealerwithanattemptatasmile。Inhisheartheprayedthatthepairhenowheldinhishandmightnotfit，thathemightgainafewminutesmore。Buttheshoesdidfit。Alittlepushingandstampingandthemanwasreadytoleavethestore。Hewasevidentlyinahurry，forhepaidwhatwasaskedwithoutanyattempttobargain。
HadGoldstammnotknownwhomhehadbeforehimnow，hewouldhavebeenverymuchastonishedatthis，andmightperhapshavebeensorrythathehadnotnamedahighersum。Butunderthecircumstancesheunderstoodonlytoowelltheman’sdesiretogetaway，andwouldmuchratherhavehadsometalkastothepayment，anythingthatwouldkeephiscustomeralittlelongerinhisstore。
\"There，nowwe’reready。I’llpackupyouroldthingsforyou。Orperhapswecanmakeadealforthem。Ipaythehighestpricesinthecity，\"saidGoldstamm，withanapparenteagernesswhichhehopedwoulddeceivethecustomer。
Butthemanhadalreadyturnedtowardsthedoor，andcalledhackoverhisshoulder：\"Youcankeeptheoldthings，Idon’twantthem。\"
Ashespokeheopenedthedoorofthestoreandstoodfacetofacewithapolicemanholdingarevolver。Heturned，withacurse，backintotheroom，butthedealerwasnowheretobeseen。DavidGoldstammhaddonehisdutytothepublic，inspiteofhisfear。
Now，seeingthatthepolicehadarrived，hecouldthinkofhisdutytohisfamily。Thisdutywasplainlytosavehisownlife，andwhenthetrampturnedagaintolookforhim，hehaddisappearedoutofthebackdoor。
\"NotamoveorIwillshoot，\"criedthepoliceman，andnowtwoothersappearedbehindhim，andcameintothestore。Butthetrampmadenoattempttoescape。Hestoodpaleandtremblingwhiletheyputthehandcuffsonhim，andletthemtakehimawaywithoutanyresistance。HewasputontheeveningexpressforVienna，andtakentoPoliceHeadquartersinthatcity。Hemadenoprotestnoranyattempttoescape，butherefusedtoutterawordontheentirejourney。
CHAPTERVI
ALMOSTCONVICTED
TheeveningwasalreadyfargonewhenMullerenteredRiedau’soffice。
\"You’reintime，themanisn’thereyet。Thetrainisevidentlylate，\"saidthecommissioner。\"We’reworkingthiscaseoffquickly。Wewillhavethemurdererhereinhalfanhouratthelatest。Hedidnothavemuchtimetoenjoythestolenproperty。HewashereinViennathismorning，andwasarrestedinPressburgthisafternoon。Hereisthetelegram，readit。\"
Dr。vonRiedauhandedMullerthemessage。Thecommissionerwasevidentlypleasedandexcited。Thetelegramreadasfollows：\"Manarrestedhereinpossessionofdescribedpursecontainingfourtenguldennotesandfourguldensinsilver。Arrestedinstoreofsecond-handclothesdealerGoldstamm。WillarrivethiseveninginViennaunderguard。\"
ThemessagewassignedbytheChiefofthePressburgpolice。
Mullerlaidthepaperonthedeskwithoutaword。Therewasawatchonthisdeskalready;itwasaheavygoldwatch，unusuallythick，withtheinitialsL。W。onthecover。JustasMullerlaiddownthetelegram，adooroutsidewasopenedandthecommissionercoveredthewatchhastily。TherewasaloudknockathisowndoorandanattendantenteredtoannouncethatthepartyfromPressburghadarrivedHewasfollowedbyoneofthePressburgpoliceforce，whobroughttheofficialreport。
\"Didyouhaveanydifficultywithhim？\"askedthecommissioner。
\"Oh，no，sir;itwasaveryeasyjob。Hemadenoresistanceatall，andheseemstobequitesobernow。Buthehasn’tsaidawordsincewearrestedhim。\"
Thenfollowedthedetailedreportofthearrest，andthedeliveryofthedescribedpocketbooktothecommissioner。
\"Isthatall？\"askedDr。vonRiedau。
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Thenyoumaygohomenow，wewilltakechargeoftheman。\"
Thepolicemanbowedandlefttheroom。Afewmomentslaterthetrampwasbroughtin，guardedbytwoarmedroundsmen。Hisguardsremainedatthedoor，whiletheprisonerhimselfwalkedforwardtothemiddleoftheroom。CommissionervonRiedausatathisdesk，hisclerkbesidehimreadytotakedowntheevidence。Mullersatnearawindowwithapaperonhislap，lookingtheleastinterestedofanybodyintheproceedings。
Foramomenttherewascompletesilenceintheroom，whichwasbrokeninaratherunusualmanner。Adeepvoice，morelikeagrowl，althoughithadaqueerstrainofcomicgood-natureinit，begantheproceedingswiththeremark：\"Wellnow，say，whatdoyouwantofme，anyway？\"
Thecommissionerlookedatthemaninastonishment，thenturnedasidethattheprisonermightnotnoticehissmile。Buthemighthavesparedhimselfthetrouble，forMuller，theclerk，andthetwopolicemenatthedoorwereallonabroadgrin。
Thenthecommissionerpulledhimselftogetheragain，andbeganwithhisusualofficialgravity：\"ItisIwhoaskquestionshere。Isitpossiblethatyoudonotknowthis？Youlooktomeasifyouhadhadexperienceinpolicecourtsbefore。\"Thecommissionergazedattheprisonerwitheyesthatwerenotaltogetherfriendly。Thetrampseemedtofeelthis，andhisowneyesdropped，whilethegood-naturedimpertinenceinhisbearingdisappeared。Itwasevidentlythelastremainsofhisintoxication。Hewasnowquitesober。
\"Whatisyourname？\"askedthecommissioner。
\"JohannKnoll。\"
\"Wherewereyouborn？\"
\"NearBrunn。\"
\"Yourage？\"
\"I’m-I’llbefortynextChristmas。\"
\"Yourreligion？\"
\"Well，youcanseeI’mnoJew，can’tyou？\"
\"Youwillpleaseanswermyquestionsinapropermanner。Thisimpertinencewillnotmakethingseasierforyou。\"
\"Allright，sir，\"saidthetramphumbly。\"IamaCatholic。\"
\"Youhavebeeninprisonbefore？\"Thiswasscarcelyaquestion。
\"No，sir，\"saidKnollfirmly。
\"Whatisyourbusiness？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhattosay，sir，\"answeredKnoll，shrugginghisshoulders。\"I’vedonealotofthingsinmylife。I’macattledroverandalumberman，andI-\"
\"Didyoulearnanytrade？\"
\"No，sir，Ineverlearnedanything。\"
\"Doyoumeantotellmethatwithouthavinglearnedanytradeyou’vegottenthroughlifethusfarhonestly？\"
\"Oh，I’veworkedhardenough-I’veworkedgoodandhardsometimes。\"
\"Thelastfewdaysparticularly，eh？\"
\"Why，no，sir，nottheselastdays-Iwasdroveronatransportofpigs;webrought’emdownfromHungary，200of’em，totheslaughterhousehere。\"
\"Whenwasthat？\"
\"Thatwas-thatwasMonday。\"
\"ThislastMonday？\"
\"Yes，sir。
\"AndthenyouwenttoHietzing？\"
\"Yes，sir，that’sright。\"
\"WhydidyougotoHietzing？\"
\"Why，seehere，sir，ifIhadgonetoOttakring，thenIsupposeyouwouldhaveaskedwhydidIgotoOttakring。IjustwenttoHietzing。
Afellowhastogosomewhere。Youdon’tstayinthesamespotallthetime，doyou？\"
Againthecommissionerturnedhisheadandanothersmilewentthroughtheroom。ThisHietzingmurdererhadasenseofhumour。
\"Well，then，we’llgotoHietzingagain，inourmindsatleast，\"
saidthecommissioner，turningbacktoKnollwhenhehadcontrolledhismerriment。\"YouwentthereonMonday，then-andthedaywascomingtoanend。WhatdidyoudowhenyoureachedHietzing？\"
\"Ilookedaboutforaplacetosleep。\"
\"Wheredidyoulookforaplacetosleep？\"
\"Why，inHietzing。\"
\"Thatisnotdefiniteenough。\"
\"Well，inagarden。\"
\"Youweretrespassing，youmean？\"
\"Why，yes，sir。Therewasn’tanybodythatseemedtowanttoinvitemetodinnerortogivemeaplacetosleep。Ijusthadtolookoutformyself。\"
\"Youevidentlyknowhowtolookoutforyourselfatthecostofothers，aheavycost。\"Thecommissioner’seasytonehadchangedtosternness。Knollfeltthis，andasharpgleamshotoutfromhisdulllittleeyes，whilethetoneofhisvoicewasgruffandimpertinentagainasheasked：\"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"
\"Youknowwellenough。Youhadbetternotwasteanymoretime，buttellusatoncehowyoucameintopossessionofthispurse。\"
\"It’smypurse，\"Knollansweredwithcalmimpertinence。\"Igotitthewaymostpeoplegetit。Iboughtit。\"
\"Thispurse？\"thecommissioneremphasisedbothwordsdistinctly。
\"Thispurse-yes，\"answeredthetrampwithaperfectimitationofRiedau’svoice。\"Whyshouldn’tIhaveboughtthispursejustlikeanyother？\"
\"Becauseyoustolethispursefromthemanwhomyou-murdered，\"
wasthecommissioner’sreply。
Therewasanothermomentofdeadsilenceintheroom。ThecommissionerandMullerwatchedintentlyforanychangeofexpressioninthefaceofthemanwhohadjusthadsuchanaccusationhurledathim。Eventheclerkandthetwopolicemenatthedoorwereinterestedtoseewhatwouldhappen。
Knoll’scalmimpertinencevanished，adeadlypallorspreadoverhisface，andheseemedfrozentostone。Heattemptedtospeak，butwasnotabletocontrolhisvoice。Hishandswereclenchedandtremorsshookhisgauntbutstrong-muscledframe。
\"WhendidImurderanybody？\"hegaspedfinallyinahoarsecroak。
\"You’llhavetoproveittomethatIamamurderer。\"
\"Thatiseasilyproved。Hereisoneoftheproofs，\"saidRiedancoldly，pointingtothepurse。\"Thepurseandthewatchofthemurderedmanarefatalwitnessesagainstyou。\"
\"Thewatch？Ihaven’tanywatch。WhereshouldIgetawatch？\"
\"Youdidn’thaveoneuntilMonday，possibly;Icanbelievethat。
ButyouwereinpossessionofawatchbetweentheeveningofMonday，the27th，andthemorningofWednesday，the29th。\"
Knoll’seyesdroppedagainandhedidnottrusthimselftospeak。
\"Well，youdonotdenythisstatement？\"
\"No，Ican’t，\"saidKnoll，stilltryingtocontrolhisvoice。
\"Youmusthavethewatchyourselfnow，orelseyouwouldn’tbesocertainaboutit。\"
\"Ah，yousee，Ithoughtyou’dhadexperiencewithpolicecourtsbefore，\"saidthecommissioneramiably。\"OfcourseIhavethewatchalready。Themanwhomyousoldittothismorningknewbythreeo’clockthisafternoonwherethiswatchcamefrom。Hebroughtithereatonceandgaveusyourdescription。Averyexactdescription。Themanwillbebroughtheretoidentifyyouto-morrow。
Wemustsendforhimanyway，toreturnhismoneytohim。Hepaidyoufifty-twoguldenforthewatch。Andhowmuchmoneywasinthepursethatyoutookfromthemurderedman？\"
\"Threeguldeneighty-five。\"
\"Thatwasaverysmallsumforwhichtocommitamurder。\"
Knollgroanedandbithislipsuntiltheybled。
CommissionervonRiedauraisedthepaperthatcoveredthewatchandcontinued：\"Youpresumablyrecognisedthatthechainonwhichthiswatchhungwasvalueless，alsothatitcouldeasilyberecognised。
Didyouthrowitaway，orhaveyouitstill？\"
\"Ithrewitintheriver。\"
\"Thatwillnotmakeanydifference。Wedonotneedthechain，wehavequiteenoughevidencewithoutit。Thepurse，forinstance：youthought，Isuppose，thatitwasjustapurselikeathousandothers，butitisnot。Thispurseisabsolutelyindividualandeasilyrecognised，becauseitismendedinonespotwithyellowthread。
Thethreadhasbecomeloosenedandhangsdowninaverynoticeablemanner。Itwasthisyellowthreadonthepurse，whichhehappenedtoseebychance，thatshowedthedealerGoldstammwhoitwasthathadenteredhisstore。\"
Knollstoodquitesilent，staringatthefloor。Dropsofperspirationstoodoutonhisforehead，someofthemrollingliketearsdownhischeek。
Thecommissionerrosefromhisseatandwalkedslowlytowheretheprisonerstood。Helaidonehandontheman’sshoulderandsaidinavoicethatwasquitegentleandkindagain：\"JohannKnoll，donotwasteyourtime，orours，inthinkingupuselesslies。Youarealmostconvictedofthiscrimenow。Youhavealreadyacknowledgedsomuch，thatthereisbutlittlemoreforyoutosay。Ifyoumakeanopenconfession，itwillbegreatlytoyouradvantage。\"
Againtheroomwasquietwhiletheotherswaitedforwhatwouldhappen。Foramomentthetrampstoodsilent，withthecommissioner’srighthandrestingonhisshoulder。Thentherewasasuddenmovement，astruggleandashout，andthetwopolicemenhadoverpoweredtheprisonerandheldhimfirmly。Mullerrosequicklyandsprangtohischief’sside。Riedauhadnotevenchangedcolour，andhesaidcalmly：\"Oh，nevermind，Muller;sitdownagain。Themanhadhandcuffsonandheisquitequietnow。Ithinkhehassenseenoughtoseethatheisonlyharminghimselfbyhisviolence。
ThecommissionerreturnedtohisdeskandMullerwentbacktohischairbythewindow。Theprisonerwasquietagain，althoughhisfaceworeadarkflushandtheveinsonthroatandforeheadwereswollenthick。Hetremblednoticeablyandtheheavydropsbesprinkledhisbrow。
\"I-Ihavesomethingtosay，sir，\"hebegan，\"butfirstIwanttobegyourpardon-\"
\"Oh，nevermindthat。Iamnotangrywhenamanisfightingforhislife，evenifhedoesn’tchoosequitetherightway，\"answeredthecommissionercalmly，playingwithaleadpencil。
Knoll’sexpressionwasdefiantnow。Helaughedharshlyandbeganagain：\"WhatI’mtellin’younowisthetruthwhetheryoubelieveitornot。Ididn’tkilltheman。Itookthewatchandpursefromhim。Ithoughthewasdrunk。Ifhewaskilled，Ididn’tdoit。\"
\"Hewaskilledbyashot。\"
\"Ashot？Why，yes，Iheardashot，butIdidn’tthinkanymoreaboutit，Ididn’tthinktherewasanythin’doing，Ithoughtsomebodywasshootin’acat，orelse-\"
\"Oh，don’tbothertoinventthings。Itwasamanwhowasshotat，themanwhomyourobbed。Butgoon，goon。Iamanxioustohearwhatyouwilltellme。\"
Knoll’shands，clenchedtofistsandhiseyesglowedinhateanddefiance。Thenhedroppedthemtotheflooragainandbegantotalkslowlyinamonotonoustonethatsoundedasifhewererepeatingalesson。Hismannerwasratherunfortunateanddidnottendtoinducebeliefinthetruthofhisstory。Thegistofwhathesaidwasasfollows：
HehadreachedHietzingonMondayeveningabout8o’clock。Hewasthirsty，asusual，andhadabouttwoguldeninhispossession，hiswagesforthelastday’swork。HeturnedintoataverninHietzingandateanddrankuntilhismoneywasallgone，andhehadnotevenenoughlefttopayforanight’slodging。ButKnollwasnotworriedaboutthat。Hewasaccustomedtosleepingoutofdoors，andasthiswasaparticularlyfineevening，therewasnothingintheprospecttoalarmhim。Hesetaboutfindingasuitableplacewherehewouldnotbedisturbedbytheguardiansofthelaw。Hissearchledhimbychanceintoanewlyopenedstreet。Thissuitedhimexactly。
Thefenceswereeasytoclimb，andtherewereseverallittlesummerhousesinsightwhichmademuchmoreagreeablelodgingsthanthegroundunderabush。Andaboveall，thestreetwassoquietanddesertedthatheknewitwasjusttheplaceforhim。Hehadneverbeeninthestreetbefore，anddidnotknowitsname。Hepassedthefourhousesattheendofthestreet-hewasontheleftsidewalk-andthenhecametotwofenced-inbuildinglots。Theseinterestedhim。Hewasveryagile，raisedhimselfuponthefenceseasilyandtookstockofthesituation。Oneofthelotsdidnotappealtohimparticularly，butthesecondonedid。Itborderedonalargegarden，inthemiddleofwhichhecouldseealittlehouseofsomekind。Itwasaftersunsetbuthecouldseethingsquiteplainlyyetfortheairwasclearandthemoonwasjustrising。Hesawalsothatinthevacantlotadjoiningthegarden，alotwhichappearedtohavebeenagardenitselfonce，therewasasortofshed。Itlookedverymuchdamagedbutappearedtooffersheltersufficientforafinenight。
Theshedstoodonalittleraiseofthegroundnearthehighironfencethatprotectedthelargegarden。Knolldecidedthattheshedwouldmakeagoodplacetospendthenight。Heclimbedthefenceeasilyandwalkedacrossthelot。Whenhewasjustsettlinghimselfforhisnap，heheardtheclockonanear-bychurchstrikenine。Thevariousdrinkshehadhadforsupperputhiminamoodthatwouldnotallowhimtogettosleepatonce。Thebenchintheoldshedwasdecidedlyricketyandveryuncomfortable，andashewastossingabouttofindagoodposition，athoughtcameintohismindwhichheacknowledgedwasnotacommendableone。Itoccurredtohimthatifhepursuedhisinvestigationsintheneighbourhoodalittlefurther，hemightbeabletopickupsomethingthatwouldbeofadvantagetohimonhiswanderings。
Hiseyesandhisthoughtsweredirectedtowardsthehandsomehousewhichhecouldseebeyondthetreesoftheoldgarden。
Themoonwasnowwellupintheskyanditshonebrightlyonthemansardroofofthefineoldmansion。Thewindowsofthelongwingwhichstretchedouttowardsthegardenglistenedinthemoonbeams，andthelightcolouredwallofthehousemadeabrightbackgroundforthedarkmaskoftreeswavinggentlyinthenightbreeze。Knoll’slittleshedwassufficientlyraisedonitshillockforhimtohaveagoodviewofthegarden。Therewasnodoortotheshedandhecouldseetheneighbouringpropertyclearlyfromwherehelayonhisbench。Whilehelaytherewatching，hesawawomanwalkingthroughthegarden。Hecouldseeheronlywhenshepassedbackoforbetweenthelowershrubsandbushes。Asfarashecouldsee，shecamefromthemainbuildingandwaswalkingtowardsaprettylittlehousewhichlayinthecentreofthegarden。
Knollhadimaginedthishousetobethegardener’sdwellingandasitlayquitedarkhesupposedtheinmateswereeitherasleeporoutfortheevening。Ithadbeenthishousewhichhewasintendingtohonourbyavisit。Butseeingthewomanwalkingtowardsit，hedecideditwouldnotbesafetocarryouthisplanjustyetawhile。
Afewmomentslaterhewascertainthatthislastdecisionhadbeenawiseone，forhesawamancomefromthemainbuildingandwalkalongthepaththewomanhadtaken。\"No，nothingdoingthere，\"
thoughtKnoll，andconcludedhehadbettergotosleep。Hecouldnotrememberjusthowlonghemayhavedozedbutitseemedtohimthatduringthattimehehadheardashot。Itdidnotinteresthimmuch。Hesupposedsomeonewasshootingatathievingcatoratsomesmallnightanimal。Hedidnotevenrememberwhetherhehadbeenreallysoundasleep，beforehewasarousedbythebreakingdownofthebenchonwhichhelay。Thenoiseofitmorethantheshockoftheshortfall，awokehimandhesprangtipinalarmandlistenedintentlytohearwhetheranyonehadbeenattractedbyit。
Hisfirstglancewastowardsthebuildingbehindthegarden。Therewasnosoundnornolightinthegardenhousebuttherewasalightinthemainbuilding。Whilethetrampwaswonderingwhathouritmightbe，thechurchclockansweredhimbytenloudstrokes。
Hisheadwasalreadyachingfromthewineandhedidnotfeelcomfortableinthedraftyoldbuilding。Hecameoutfromit，creptalongtothespotwherehehadclimbedthefencebefore，andafterlisteningcarefullyandhearingnothingoneitherside，heclimbedbacktotheroad。TheStreetlaysilentandempty，whichwasjustwhathewashopingfor。Heheldcarefullytotheshadowthrownbythehighboardfenceoverwhichhehadclimbeduntilhecametoitsend。Thenherememberedthathehadn’tdoneanythingwrongandsteppedoutboldlyintothemoonlight。Themoonwaswellupnowandthestreetwasalmostaslightasday。Knollwasattractedbythequeershadowsthrownbyabigeldertree，wavingitslongbranchesinthewind。Ashecamenearerhesawthatpartoftheshadowwasnoshadowatallbutwasthebodyofamanlyinginthestreetnearthebush。\"Ithoughtsurehewasdrunk\"wasthewayKnolldescribedit。\"I’vebeenlikethatmyselfoftenuntilsomebodycamealongandfoundme。\"
Whenhecametothisspotinhisstory，hehaltedanddrewalongbreath。CommissionervonRiedauhadbeguntomakesomefiguresonthepaperinfrontofhim，thenchangedthelinesuntiltheheadofaprettywomaninafurhattookshapeunderhisfingers。
\"Well，goon，\"hesaid，lookingwithinterestathisdrawingandimprovingitwithseveralquickstrokes。
JohannKnollcontinued：
\"ThenthedevilcameovermeandIthoughtIbettertakethisgoodopportunity-well-Idid。ThemanwaslyingonhisbackandI
sawawatchchainonhisdarkvest。Ibentoverhimandtookhiswatchandchain。ThenIfeltaroundinhispocketandfoundhispurse。Andthen-wellthenIfeltsorryforhimlyingoutintheopenroadlikethat，andIthoughtI’dlifthimupandputhimsomewherewherehecouldsleepitoffmoreconvenient。ButIdidn’tseetherewasalittleditchthereandIstumbledoveritanddroppedhim。’It’sagoodthinghe’ssodrunkthateventhisdon’twakehimup，’Ithought，andranoff。ThenIthoughtIheardsomethingmovingandIwasscaredstiff，buttherewasnothinginthestreetatall。IthoughtIhadbettertaketothefieldsthoughandIcrossedthroughsomecornandthenoutontoanotherstreet。
FinallyIwalkedintothecity，stayedtheretillthismorning，soldthewatch，thenwenttoPressburg。\"
\"Sothatwasthewayitwas，\"saidthecommissioner，pushinghisdrawingawayfromhimandmotioningtothepolicemenatthedoor。
\"Youmaytakethismanawaynow，\"headdedinavoiceofcoolindifference，withoutlookingattheprisoner。
Knoll’sheaddroopedandhewalkedoutquietlybetweenhistwoguards。Theclockontheofficewallstruckeleven。
\"Dearme！whatalotoftimethemanwasted，\"saidthecommissioner，puttingthereportoftheproceedings，thewatchandthepurseinadrawerofhisdesk。\"Whenanybodyhasbeenalmostconvictedofacrime，it’sreallyquiteunnecessarytoinventsuchalongstory。
Afewminuteslater，theroomwasemptyandMuller，asthelastofthegroup，walkedslowlydownthestairs。Hewasinsuchabrownstudythathescarcelyheardthecommissioner’sfriendly\"goodnight，\"
nordidhenoticethathewaswalkingdownthequietstreetunderastar-gildedsky。\"Almostconvicted-almost。Almost？\"Muller’slipsmurmuredwhilehisheadwasfullofachaoticrushofthought，dimpicturesthatcameandwent，somethingthatseemedtobeonthepointofbringinglightintothedarkness，thenvanishingagain。
\"Almost-butnotquite。ThereissomethinghereImustfindoutfirst。Whatisit？Imustknow-\"
CHAPTERVII
THEFACEATTHEGATE
Thesecondexaminationoftheprisonerbroughtnothingnew。JohannKnollrefusedtospeakatall，orelsesimplyrepeatedwhathehadsaidbefore。Thissecondexaminationtookplaceearlythenextmorning，butMullerwasnotpresent。HewastakingawalkinHietzing。
WhentheytookJohannKnollinthepolicewagontotheCityPrison，Mullerwasjustsaunteringslowlythroughthestreetwherethemurderhadbeencommitted。Andasthedoorofthecellshutclanginglybehindthemanwhosefacewasdistortedinimpotentrageanddespair，JosephMullerwasstandingindeepthoughtbeforethebrokenwillowtwig，whichnowhungbrownanddryacrosstheplanksofthefence。Helookedatitforalongtime。Thatis，heseemedtobelookingatit，butinrealityhiseyeswerelookingoutandbeyondthewillowtwig，outintotheunknown，wheretheunknownmurdererwasstillatlarge。LeopoldWinkler’sbodyhadalreadybeencommittedtotheearth。Howlongwillitbebeforehisdeathisavenged？Orperhapshowlongmayitevenbebeforeitisdiscoveredfromwhatmotivethismurderwascommitted。Wasitamurderforrobbery，oramurderforpersonalrevengeperhaps？Werethetwocrimescommittedherebyoneandthesameperson，orweretheretwopeopleconcerned？Andiftwo，didtheyworkasaccomplices？OrisitpossiblethatKnoll’sstorywastrue？Didhereallyonlyrobthebody，notrealisingthatitwasadeadmanandnotmerelyanintoxicatedsleeperashehadsupposed？TheseandmanymorethoughtsrushedtumultuouslythroughMuller’sbrainuntilhesigheddespairinglyunderthepressure。Thenhesmiledinamusementatthewishthathadcrossedhisbrain，thewishthatthiscasemightseemassimpletohimasitapparentlydidtothecommissioner。Itwouldcertainlyhavesavedhimalotofworkandtroubleifhecouldbelievetheobviousasmostpeopledid。Whatwasthisdevilthatrodehimandspurredhimontodelveintothehiddenfactsconcerningmattersthatseemedsosimpleonthesurface？Thedevilthatspurredhimontounderstandthattherealwayswassomehiddensidetoeverycase？Thenthesighandthesmilepassed，andMullerraisedhisheadinoneoftheraremomentsofprideinhisowngiftsthatthisshyunassuminglittlemaneverallowedhimself。ThiswastheworkthathewasintendedbyProvidencetodoorhewouldn’thavebeenfittedforit，anditwasworkforthecommongood，forthepublicsafety。Thinkingbackoverthetroublesofhisearlyyouth，Muller’sheartrejoicedandhewasgladinhisowngenius。Thenthemomentofunwontedelationpassedandhebenthismindagaintotheproblembeforehim。
Hesaunteredslowlythroughthequietstreetinthedirectionofthefourhouses。ToreachthemhepassedthefencethatenclosedthisendoftheThorneproperty。Mullerhadalreadyknown，forthelasttwenty-fourhoursatleast，thattheownerofthefineoldestatewasanartistbythenameofHerbertThorne。Hisownlandladyhadinformedhimofthis。Hehimselfwasnewtotheneighbourhood，havingmovedoutthererecently，andhehadverifiedherstatementsbythecitydirectory。AshewasnowpassingtheThorneproperty，inhisslow，saunteringwalk，hehadjustcomewithinadozenpacesofthelittlewoodengateinthefencewhenthisgateopened。Muller’snaturallysofttreadwasmadestillmorenoiselessbythefactthatheworewidesoftshoes。Yearsbeforehehadacquiredabadcaseofchilblains，infacthadbeeninimminentdangerofhavinghisfeetfrozenbystandingforfivehoursinthesnowinfrontofahouse，tointerceptseveralaristocraticgentlemenwhosoonerorlaterwouldbeobligedtoleavethathouse。Thepolicehadlongsuspectedtheexistenceofthishigh-classgamblingden;butitwasnotuntiltheyhadputMullerinchargeofthecase，thattherewereanyresultsattained。
Thearrestsweremadeattheriskofpermanentinjurytothecelebrateddetective。Sincethen，Muller’sstepwasmorenoiselessthanusual，andnowthewomanwhoopenedthegateandpeeredoutcautiouslydidnothearhisapproachnordidsheseehimstandingintheshadowofthefence。Shelookedtowardstheotherendofthestreet，thenturnedandspoketosomebodybehindher。\"There’snobodycomingfromthatdirection，\"hesaid。ThensheturnedherheadtheotherwayandsawMuller。Shelookedathimforamomentandslammedthegateshut，disappearingbehindit。Mullerheardthelockclickandheardthebeatofrunningfeethasteningrapidlyoverthegravelpaththroughthegarden。
Thedetectivestoodimmediatelyinfrontofthegate，shakinghishead。\"Whatwasthematterwiththewoman？Whatwasitthatshewantedtoseeordointhestreet？Whyshouldsherunawaywhenshesawme？\"Thesewerehisthoughts。Buthedidn’twastetimeinmerelythinking。Mullerneverdid。Actionfollowedthoughtwithhimveryquickly。Hesawaknot-holeinthefencejustbesidethegateandheappliedhiseyestothisknot-hole。Andthroughtheknot-holehesawsomethingthatinterestedandsurprisedhim。
Thewomanwhosefacehadappearedsosuddenlyatthegate，anddisappearedstillmoresuddenly，wasthesamewomanwhomhehadseenbiddingfarewelltoMr。ThorneandhiswifeontheTuesdaymorningprevious，thewomanwhomhetooktobethehousekeeper。
Theoldbutlerstoodbesideher。Itwasundoubtedlythesameman，althoughhehadwornaliverythenandwasnowdressedinacomfortableoldhousecoat。Hestoodbesidethewoman，shakinghisheadandaskingherjustthequestionsthatMullerwasaskinghimselfatthemoment。
\"Why，whatisthematterwithyou，Mrs。Bernaner？You’resonervoussinceyesterday。Areyouill？Everythingseemstofrightenyou？Whydidyourunawayfromthatgatesosuddenly？I
thoughtyouwantedmetoshowyoutheplace？\"
Mrs。BernauerraisedherheadandMullersawthatherfacelookedpaleandhaggardandthathereyesshonewithanuneasyfeverishlight。Shedidnotanswertheoldman’squestions，butmadeagestureoffarewellandthenturnedandwalkedslowlytowardsthehouse。Sherealised，apparently，andfeared，perhaps，thatthemanwhowaspassingthegatemighthave，noticedhersuddenchangeofdemeanourandthathewaslisteningtowhatshemightsay。Shedidnotthinkoftheknot-holeintheboardfence，orshemighthavebeenmorecarefulinhidingherdistraughtfacefrompossibleobservers。
Mullerstoodwatchingthroughthisknot-holeforsomelittletime。
Hetookacarefulobservationofthegarden，andfromhispointofvantagehecouldeasilyseethelittlehousewhichwasapparentlythedwellingofthegardener，aswellasthemansardroofofthemainbuilding。Therewasconsiderabledistancebetweenthetwohouses。Thedetectivedecidedthatitmightinteresthimtoknowsomethingmoreaboutthisgarden，thishouseandthepeoplewholivedthere。AndwhenMullermadesuchadecisionitwasusuallynotverylongbeforehecarrieditout。
Theotherstreet，uponwhichthemainfrontofthemansardhouseopened，containedafewisolateddwellingssurroundedbygardensandanumberofnewlybuiltapartmenthouses。OnthegroundflooroftheselatterhouseswereanumberofstoresandimmediatelyoppositetheThornemansionwasalittlecaf？ThissuitedMullerexactly，forhehadbeentherebeforeandherememberedthatfromoneofthewindowstherewasanexcellentviewofthegateandthefrontentranceofthemansionopposite。Itwasaverymodestlittlecaf？buttherewasafairlygoodwinetobehadthereandthedetectivemadeitanexcusetositdownbythewindow，asifenjoyinghisbottlewhileadmiringthechangingcoloursofthefoliageinthegardensopposite。
Anotherrathergoodchance，hediscovered，wasthefactthatthelandlordbelongedtothetalkativesort，andbelievedthattherefreshmentshehadtosellwererendereddoublyagreeablewhenspicedbyconversation。Inthiscasethegoodmanwasnotmistaken。
Itwasscarcelyteno’clockintheforenoonandtherewereveryfewpeopleinthecaf？Thelandlordwasquiteatleisuretodevotehimselftothisstrangerinthewindowseat，whomhedidnotremembertohaveseenbefore，andwhowasthereforedoublyinterestingtohim。Severalsubjectsofconversationusualinsuchcases，suchaspoliticsandtheweather，seemedtoarousenoparticularenthusiasminhispatron’smanner。FinallytheportlylandlorddecidedthathewouldtouchuponthethemewhichwasstillabsorbingallHietzing。
\"Oh，bytheway，sir，doyouknowthatyouareintheimmediatevicinityoftheplacewherethemurderofMondayeveningwascommitted？Peoplearestilltalkingaboutitaroundhere。AndI
seebythepapersthatthemurdererwasarrestedinPressburgyesterdayandbroughttoViennalastnight。\"
\"Indeed，isthatso？Ihaven’tseenapaperto-day，\"repliedMuller，awakeningfromhisapparentindifference。
Thelandlordwasflatteredbythesuccessofthenewsubject，andstoodreadytounloosethefloodgatesofhiseloquence。Hiscustomersatupandaskedthequestionforwhichthelandlordwaswaiting。
\"Soitwasaroundherethatthemanwasshot？\"
\"Yes。HisnamewasLeopoldWinkler，thatwasinthepapersto-daytoo。Youseethatprettyhouseopposite？Well，rightbehindthishouseisthegardenthatbelongstoitandbackofthat，anoldgardenwhichhasbeenneglectedforsometime。Itwasattheendofthisgardenwhereittouchestheotherstreet，thattheyfoundthemanunderabigelder-tree，earlyTuesdaymorning，daybeforeyesterday。\"
\"Oh，indeed！\"said。Muller，greatlyinterested，asifthiswasthefirsthehadheardofit。Thelandlordtookadeepbreathandwasabouttobeginagainwhenhiscustomer，whodecidedtokeepthetalkativemantoacertainphaseofthesubject，nowtookcommandoftheconversationhimself。
\"Ishouldthinkthatthepeopleopposite，wholivesoneartheplacewherethemurderwascommitted，wouldn’tbeverymuchpleased，\"
hesaid。\"Ishouldn’tcaretolookoutonsuchaspoteverytimeIwenttomywindow。\"
\"Therearen’tanywindowsthere，\"exclaimedthelandlord，\"fortherearen’tanyhousesthere。There’sonlytheoldgarden，andthenthelargegardenandtheparkbelongingtoMr。Thorne’shouse，thatfineoldhouseyouseejustoppositehere。It’sagoodthingthatMr。Thorneandhiswifewentawaybeforethemurderbecameknown。Theladyhasn’tbeenwellforsomeweeks，she’sverynervousandfrail，anditprobablywouldhavefrightenedhertothinkthatsuchthingswerehappeningrightclosetoherhome。\"
\"Theladyissick？What’sthematterwithher？\"
\"Goodnessknows，nerves，hearttrouble，somethinglikethat。Thethingsthesefineladiesarealwayshaving。Butshewasn’talwaysthatway，notuntilaboutayearago。Shewasfreshandbloomingandveryprettytolookatbeforethat。\"
\"Sheisayoungladythen？\"
\"Yes，indeed，sir;she’sveryyoungstillandverypretty。Itmakesyoufeelsorrytoseehersomiserable，andyoufeelsorryforherhusband。Nowthere’sayoungcouplewitheverythingintheworldtomakethemhappyandsofondofeachother，andthepoorlittleladyhastobesosick。\"
\"Theyareveryhappy，yousay？\"askedMullercarelessly。Hehadnoparticularsetpurposeinfollowingupthisinquiry，nonebuthisusualunderstandingofthefactthatamaninhisbusinesscanneveramasstoomuchknowledge，andthatitwillsometimeshappenthatachancebitofinformationcomesinveryhandy。
Thelandlordwaspleasedattheencouragementandcontinued：\"Indeedtheyareveryhappy。They’veonlybeenmarriedtwoyears。Theladycomesfromadistance，fromGraz。HerfatherisanarmyofficerI
believe，andIdon’tthinkshewasover-rich。Butshe’saverysweet-lookingladyandherrichhusbandisveryfondofher，anyonecanseethat。\"
\"Yousaidjustnowthattheyhadgoneaway，wherehavetheygoneto？\"
\"They’vegonetoItaly，sir。Mrs。ThornewasoneofthefewpeoplewhodonotknowVenice。Franz，that’sthebutler，sir，toldmeyesterdayeveningthathehadreceivedatelegramsayingthattheladyandgentlemanhadarrivedsafelyandwereverycomfortablyfixedintheHotelDanieli。YouknowDanieli’s？\"
\"Yes，Ido。IalsowasoneofthefewpeoplewhodidnotknowVenice，thatisIwasuntiltwoyearsago。Then，however，IhadthepleasureofridingovertheBridgeofMestre，\"answeredMuller。
Hedidnotaddthathewasnotaloneatthetime，buthadriddenacrossthelongbridgeincompanywithapalehaggard-facedmanwhodidnotdaretolooktotherightortotheleftbecauseoftherevolverwhichheknewwasheldinthedetective’shandunderhislooseovercoat。Muller’svisittoVenice，likemostofhisjourneyings，hadbeenoneofbusiness。Thistimetocaptureandbringhomeanotoriousandlongsoughtembezzler。Hedidnotvolunteeranyofthisinformation，however，butmerelyaskedinapolitelyinterestedmannerwhetherthelandlordhimselfhadbeentoVenice。
\"Yes，indeed，\"repliedthelatterproudly。\"IwasheadwaiteratBaner’sfortwoyears。\"
\"ThenyoumustmakemesomeItaliandishessoon，\"saidMuller。
FurtherconversationwasinterruptedbytheentranceofFranz，theoldbutlerofthehouseopposite。
\"Excuseme，sir;Imustgethimhisglassofwine，\"saidthelandlord，hurryingawaytothebar。HereturnedinamomentwithasmallbottleandaglassandsetitdownonMuller’stable。
\"Youdon’tmind，sir，ifhesitsdownhere？\"heasked。\"Heusuallysitshereatthistablebecausethenhecanseeifheisneededoveratthehouse。\"
\"Oh，pleaselethimcomehere。Hehaspriorrightstothistableundoubtedly，\"saidthestrangerpolitely。Theoldbutlersatdownwithanembarrassedmurmur，asthevolublelandlordexplainedthatthestrangerhadnoobjection。Thenthebonifacehurriedofftoattendtosomenewlyenteredcustomersandthedetective，greatlypleasedattheprospect，foundhimselfalonewiththeoldservant。
\"Youcomeherefrequently？\"hebegan，toopentheconversation。
\"Yes，sir，sincemymasterandmyselfhavesettleddownhere-wetravelledmostofthetimeuntilseveralyearsago-Ifindthisplaceveryconvenient。It’sacosylittleroom，thewineisgoodandnotexpensive，I’mnearhomeandyetIcanseesomenewfacesoccasionally。\"
\"Ihopethefacesthatyouseeaboutyouathomearenotsounpleasantthatyouaregladtogetawayfromthem？\"askedMullerwithasmile。
Theoldmangaveastartofalarm。\"Oh，dear，no，sir，\"heexclaimedeagerly;\"thatwasn’twhatImeant。IndeedI’mfondofeverybodyinthehousefromourdearladydowntothepoorlittledog。\"
HereMullergainedanotherlittlebitofknowledge，thefactthattheladyofthehousewasthefavouriteofherservants，orthatsheseemedtothemevenmoreanobjectofadorationthanthemaster。
\"Thenyouevidentlyhaveaverygoodplace，sinceyouseemsofondofeveryone。\"
\"IndeedIhaveagoodplace，sir。\"
\"You’vehadthisplacealongtime？\"
\"Morethantwentyyears。MymasterwasonlyelevenyearsoldwhenItookservicewiththefamily。\"
\"Ah，indeed！thenyoumustbeapersonofimportanceinthehouseifyouhavebeentheresolong？\"
\"WellmoreorlessImightsayIam，\"theoldmansmiledandlookedflattered，thenadded：\"Butthehousekeeper，Mrs。Bernaner，isevenmoreimportantthanIam，totellyouthetruth。Shewasnursetoourpresentyoungmaster，andshe’sbeeninthehouseeversince。Whenhisparentsdied，it’ssomeyearsagonow，shetookentirechargeofthehousekeeping。Shewasafineactivewomanthen，andnowtheyoungmasterandmistresscouldn’tgetalongwithouther。Theytreatherasifshewasoneofthefamily。\"