\"Andsheisillalso？Isayalso，\"explainedMuller，\"becausethelandlordhasjustbeentellingmethatyourmistressisill。\"
\"Yes，indeed，more’sthepity！ourpoordearyoungladyhasbeenmiserablefornearlyayearnow。It’sashametoseesuchasweetangelassheissufferlikethatandthemaster’squiteheart-brokenoverit。Butthere’snothingthematterwithMrs。Bernaner。Howdidyoucometothinkthatshewassick？\"
Mullerdidnotintendtoexplainthatthechangeinthehousekeeper’sappearance，achangewhichhadcomeaboutbetweenTuesdaymorningandThursdaymorning，mighteasilyhavemadeanyonethinkthatshewasill。Hegaveasexcuseforhisquestiontheoldman’sownwords：
\"Why，Ithoughtthatshemightbeillalsobecauseyousaidyourselfthatthehousekeeper-whatdidyousayhernamewas？\"
\"Bernauer，Mrs。AdeleBernauer。Shewasawidowwhenshecametotakecareofthemaster。Herhusbandwasasergeantofartillery。\"
\"Well，Imean，\"continuedMuller，\"yousaidyourselfthatwhenthegentleman’sparentsdied，Mrs。Bernauerwasafineactivewoman，thereforeIsupposedshewasnolongerso。\"
Franzthoughtthematteroverforawhile。\"Idon’tknowjustwhyIputitthatway。Indeedshe’sstillasactiveaseverandalwaysfreshandwell。It’struethatforthelasttwoorthreedaysshe’sbeenverynervousandsinceyesterdayitisasifshewasachangedwoman。Shemustbeill，Idon’tknowhowtoexplainitotherwise。\"
\"Whatseemstobethematterwithher？\"askedMullerandthentoexplainhisinterestinthehousekeeper’shealth，hefabricatedastory：\"IstudiedmedicineatonetimeandalthoughIdidn’tfinishmycourseorgetadiploma，I’vealwayshadagreatinterestinsuchthings，andeverynowandthenI’lltakeacase，particularlynervousdiseases。Thatwasmyspecialty。\"Mullertookuphisglassandturnedawayfromthewindow，forbefeltaslowflushrisingtohischeeks。ItwasanotherofMuller’speculiaritiesthathealwaysfeltaninwardembarrassmentatthelieshewasobligedtotellinhisprofession。
Thebutlerdidnotseemtohavenoticedithowever，andappearedeagertotellofwhatconcernedhiminthehousekeeper’sappearanceanddemeanour。\"Why，yesterdayatdinnertimewasthefirstthatwebegantonoticeanythingwrongwithMrs。Bernauer。Therestofus，thatis，Lizzietheupstairsgirl，thecookandmyself。Shebegantoeatherdinnerwithagoodappetite，thensuddenly，whenwegotasfarasthepudding，sheletherforkfallandturneddeathlywhite。Shegotupwithoutsayingawordandlefttheroom。
Lizzieranafterhertoaskifanythingwasthematter，butshesaidno，itwasnothingofimportance。Afterdinner，shewentrightout，sayingshewasdoingsomeerrands。Shebroughtinalotofnewspapers，whichwasquiteunusual，forshesometimesdoesnotlookatanewspaperonceaweekeven。Iwouldn’thavenoticeditbutLizzie’sthekindthatseesandhearseverythingandshetoldusaboutit。\"Franzstoppedtotakeadrink，andMullersaidindifferently，\"IsupposeMrs。Bernauerwasinterestedinthemurdercase。Thewholeneighbourhoodseemstobearousedaboutit。\"
\"No，Idon’tthinkthatwasit，\"answeredtheoldservant，\"becausethenshewouldhavesentforapaperthismorningtoo。\"
\"Andshedidn’tdothat？\"
\"No，unlessshemighthavegoneoutforitherself。There’sanewsstandrightnextdoorhere。ButIdon’tthinkshedidbecauseI
wouldhaveseenthepaperaroundthehousethen。\"
\"Andisthatallthat’sthematterwithher？\"askedMullerinatoneofdisappointment。\"Why，Ithoughtyou’dhavesomethingreallyinterestingtotellme。\"
\"Oh，no，thatisn’tall，sir，\"exclaimedtheoldmaneagerly。
Mullerleanedforward，reallyinterestednow，whileFranzcontinued：
\"Shewasuneasyalltheafternoonyesterday。Shewalkedupanddownstairsandthroughthehalls-IrememberLizziemakingsomejokeaboutit-andthenintheeveningtooursurpriseshesuddenlybeganagreatrummaginginthefirststory。\"
\"Isthatwhereshelives？\"
\"Oh，no;herroomisinthewingouttowardsthegarden。Theroomsonthefirstfloorallbelongtothemasterandmistress。ThismorningwefoundoutthatMrs。Bernauer’scleaningupoftheeveningbeforehadbeendonebecausesherememberedthatthemasterwantedtotakesomepaperswithhimbutcouldn’tfindthemandhadaskedhertolookforthemandsendthemrighton。\"
\"Well，Ishouldn’tcallthatasignofanyparticularnervousness，butratheranevidenceofMrs。Bernaner’sdevotiontoherduty。\"
\"Oh，yes，sir-butitcertainlyisqueerthatsheshouldgointothegardenatfouro’clockthismorningandappeartobelookingforsomethingalongthepathsandunderthebushes。Evenifafewofthepapersblewoutofthewindow，orblewawayfromthesummerhouse，wherethemasterwritessometimes，theycouldn’thavescatteredalloverthegardenlikethat。\"
Mullerdidn’tfollowupthissubjectanylonger。Theremightcomeatimewhenhewouldbeinterestedinfindingoutthereasonforthehousekeeper’ssearchinthegarden，butjustatpresenthewantedsomethingelse。Herememberedsomeremarkoftheoldman’saboutthe\"poorlittledog，\"andonthishebuilthisplan。
\"Oh，well，\"hesaidcarelessly，\"almosteverybodyisnervousandimpatientnow-a-days。IsupposeMrs。Bernauerfeltuneasybecauseshecouldn’tfindthepaperrightaway。There’snothingparticularlyinterestingornoticeableaboutthat。Anyway，I’vebeenoccupyingmyselfmuchmoretheselastyearswithsickanimalsratherthanwithsickpeople。I’vehadsomeverysuccessfulcuresthere。\"
\"No，really，haveyou？Thenyoucoulddousagreatfavour，\"
exclaimedFranzinapparenteagerness。Muller’sheartrejoiced。Hehadapparentlyhititrightthistime。Heknewthatinahouselikethat\"apoordog\"couldonlymeana\"sickdog。\"Buthisvoicewasquitecalmasheasked：\"HowcanIdoyouafavour？\"
\"Why，yousee，sir，we’vegotalittleterrier，\"explainedtheoldman，whohadquiteforgottenthefactthathehadmentionedthedogbefore。\"Andthere’sbeensomethingthematterwiththepoorlittlechapforseveraldays。Hewon’teatordrink，hebitesatthegrassandrollsaroundonhisstomachandcries-it’sapitytoseehim。
Ifyou’refondofanimalsandknowhowtotakecareofthem，youmaybeabletohelpusthere。\"
\"Youwantmetolookatthelittledog？Why，yes，IsupposeIcan。\"
\"We’llappreciateit，\"saidtheoldmanwithanembarrassedsmile。
ButMullershookhisheadandcontinued：\"No，nevermindthepayment，Iwouldn’ttakeanymoneyforit。ButI’lltellyouwhatyoucandoforme。I’mveryfondofflowers。Ifyouthinkyoucantaketheresponsibilityoflettingmewalkaroundinthegardenforalittlewhile，andpickaroseortwo，Iwillbegreatlypleased。\"
\"Why，ofcourseyoumay，\"saidFranz。\"Takeanyoftherosesyouseetherethatpleaseyou。They’renearlyoverfortheseasonnowandit’sbettertheyshouldbepickedratherthanlefttofadeonthebush。Wedon’tusesomanyflowersinthehousenowwhenthefamilyarenotthere。\"
\"Allright，then，it’sabargain，\"laughedMuller，signallingtothelandlord。\"Areyou，goingalready？\"askedtheoldservant。
\"Yes，ImustbegoingifIamtospendanytimewiththelittledog。\"
\"IsupposeIoughttobeathomemyself，\"saidFranz。\"Something’sthematterwiththeelectricwiringinourplace。Thebellinthemaster’sroomkeepsringing。IwrotetoSiemens&Halsketosendusamanouttofixit。He’slikelytocomeanyminutenow。\"Thetwomenrose，paidtheirchecks，andwentouttogether。Outsidethecaf？Mullerhesitatedamoment。\"Yougoonahead，\"hesaidtoFranz。
\"Iwanttogoinhereandgetacigar。\"
Whilebuyinghiscigarandlightingit，heaskedforseveralnewspapers，choosingthosewhichhisquickeyehadtoldhimwerenolongeramongthepilesonthecounter。\"I’mverysorry，sir，\"saidtheclerk;\"wehaveonlyafewofthosepapers，justtwoorthreemorethanweneedforourregularcustomers，andthismorningtheyareallsold。ThehousekeeperfromtheThornemansiontooktheverylastones。\"
ThiswasexactlywhatMullerwantedtoknow。HeleftthestoreandcaughtupwiththeoldbutlerasthelatterwasopeningthehandsomeirongatethatledfromtheThornepropertyoutontothestreet。
\"Well，where’sourlittlepatient？\"askedthedetectiveashewalkedthroughthecourtyardwithFranz。
\"You’llseehiminaminute，\"answeredtheoldservant。Heledthewaythroughalightroomycorridorfurnishedwithhandsomeoldpiecesinempirestyle，andopenedadooratitsfurtherend。
\"Thisismyroom。\"
Itwasalargelightroomwithtwowindowsopeningonthegarden。
Mullerwasnotatallpleasedthatthejourneythroughthehallhadbeensuchashortone。Howeverhewasinthehouse，thatwassomething，andhecouldaffordtotrusttochancefortherest。
Meanwhilehewouldlookatthedog。ThelittleterrierlayinacornerbythestoveanditdidnottakeMullermorethantwoorthreeminutestodiscoverthattherewasnothingthematterwiththesmallpatientbutasimplecaseofover-eating。Butheputonaverywiseexpressionashehandledthelittledogandlookingup，askedifhecouldgetsomechamomiletea。
\"I’llgoforit，Ithinkthere’ssomeinthehouse。Doyouwantitmadefresh？\"saidFranz。
\"Yes，thatwillbebetter，aboutacupfulwilldo，\"wasMuller’sanswer。Heknewthatthisharmlessremedywouldbelikelytodothedoggoodandatthepresentmomenthewantedtobeleftaloneintheroom。AssoonasFranzhadgone，thedetectivehastenedtothewindow，placinghimselfbehindthecurtainsothathecouldnotbeseenfromoutside。Hehimselfcouldseefirstawidecourtyardlyingbetweenthetwowingsofthehouse，thenbeyonditthegarden，animmensesquareplotofgroundbeautifullycultivated。
Theleftwingofthehousewasaboutsixwindowslongerthantheother，andfromthefirststoryofititwouldbequiteeasytolookoutoverthevacantlotwheretheoldshedstoodwhichhadservedasanight’slodgingforJohannKnoll。
TherewasnottheslightestdoubtinMuller’smindthatthispartofthetramp’sstorywastrue，forbyanaturalprocessofeliminationheknewtherewasnothingtobegainedbyinventinganysuchtale。Besideswhichthedetectivehimselfhadbeentolookattheshed。Hiswell-knownpedanticthoroughnesswouldnotpermithimtotakeanyone’swordforanythingthathemightfindoutforhimself，InhisinvestigationsonTuesdaymorninghehadalreadyseenthehalf-ruinedshed，nowheknewthatitcontainedabrokenbench。
Thusfar，therefore，Knoll’sstorywasprovedtobetrue-buttherewassomethingthatdidn’tquitehitchinanotherway。Thetramphadsaidthathehadseenfirstawomanandthenamancomefromthemainhouseandgointhedirectionofthesmallerhousewhichhetooktobethegardener’sdwelling。ThisMullerdiscoverednowwasquiteimpossible。Atallhedge，fullysevenoreightfeethighandverythick，stretchedfromthecourtyardfardownintothegardenpastthegardener’slittlehouse。Therewasabroadpathontherightandtheleftofthisgreenwall。Fromhispositionintheshed，Knollcouldhaveseenpeoplepassingonlywhentheywereontherightsideofthehedge。Buttoreachthegardener’shousefromthemaindwelling，theshortestwaywouldbeontheleftsideofthehedge。ThismuchMullersaw，thenheheardthebutler’sstepsalongthehallandhewentbacktothecornerwherethedoglay。
Franzwasnotalone。Therewassomeoneelsewithhim，thehousekeeper，Mrs。Bernauer。Justastheyopenedthedoor，Mullerheardhersay：\"Ifthegentlemanisaveterinary，thenwe’dbetteraskhimabouttheparrot-\"
Thesentencewasneverfinished。Mullerneverfoundoutwhatwasthematterwiththeparrot，forashelookedupwithapolitesmileofinterest，helookedintoapaleface，intoapairofeyesthatopenedwideinterror，andheardtremblinglipsframethewords：
\"Thereheisagain！\"
AmomentlaterMrs。Bernauerwouldhavebeengladtohaverecalledherexclamation，butitwastoolate。
Mullerbowedbeforeherandasked：\"’Thereheisagain，’yousaid;
haveyoueverseenmebefore？\"
Thewomanlookedathimasifhypnotisedandansweredalmostinawhisper：\"IsawyouTuesdaymorningforthefirsttime，Tuesdaymorningwhenthefamilyweregoingaway。ThenIsawyoupassthroughourstreettwiceagainthatsameday。ThismorningyouwentpastthegardengateandnowIfindyouhere。What-whatisityouwantofus？\"
\"IwilltellyouwhatIwant，Mrs。Bernauer，butfirstIwanttospeaktoyoualone。Mr。Franzdoesn’tmindleavingusforawhile，doeshe？\"
\"Butwhy？\"saidtheoldmanhesitatingly。Hedidn’tunderstandatallwhatwasgoingonandhewouldmuchratherhaveremained。
\"BecauseIcamehereforthespecialpurposeofspeakingtoMrs。
Bernauer，\"repliedMullercalmly。
\"Thenyoudidn’tcomeonaccountofthedog？\"
\"No，Ididn’tcomeonaccountofthedog。\"
\"Thenyou-youliedtome？\"
\"Partly。\"
\"Andyou’renoveterinary？\"
\"No-Icanhelpyourdog，butIamnotaveterinaryandneverhavebeen。\"
\"Whatareyouthen？\"
\"IwilltellMrs。BernauerwhoandwhatIamwhenyouareoutside-outsideinthecourtyardthere。Youcanwalkaboutinthegardenifyouwantto，orelsegoandgetsomesimplepurgativeforthisdog。Thatisallheneeds;hehasbeenover-fed。\"
Franzwasquitebewildered。Thesenewdevelopmentspromisedtobeinterestingandhewastornbetweenhisdesiretoknowmore，andhisdoubtsastotheproprietyofleavingthehousekeeperwiththisqueerstranger。Hehesitateduntilthewomanherselfmotionedtohimtogo。Hewentoutintothehall，thenintothecourtyard，watchedbythetwointheroomwhostoodsilentlyinthewindowuntiltheysawthebutlerpassdownintothegarden。Thentheylookedateachother。
\"Youbelongtothepolice？\"askedAdeleBernauerfinallywithadeepsigh。
\"Thatwasagoodguess，\"repliedMullerwithanironicsmile，adding：\"Allwhohaveanyreasontofearusareveryquickinrecognisingus。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"sheexclaimedwithastart。\"Whatareyouthinkingof？\"
\"Iamthinkingaboutthesamethingthatyouarethinkingof-thatIhaveprovedyouarethinkingof-thesamethingthatdroveyououtintothestreetyesterdayandthismorningtobuythepapers。
Thesepapersprintnewswhichisinterestingmanypeoplejustnow，andsomepeopleagreatdeals。Iamthinkingofthesamethingthatwasevidentlyinyourthoughtsasyoupeeredoutofthegardengatethismorning，althoughyouwouldnotcomeoutintothestreet。
Iknowthatyoudonotreadevenonenewspaperregularly。Iknowalsothatyesterdayandtodayyouboughtagreatmanypapers，apparentlytogeteverypossibledetailaboutacertainsubject。
Doyoudenythis？\"
Shedidnotdenyit，shedidnotansweratall。Shesankdownonachair，herwidestaringeyeslookingstraightaheadofher，andtremblingsothattheoldchaircrackedunderneathherweight。Butthisconditiondidnotlastlong。Thewomanhadherselfwellundercontrol。Muller’scoming，orsomethingelse，perhaps，mayhaveoverwhelmedherforamoment，butshesoonregainedherusualself-possession。
\"Stillyouhavenottoldmewhatyouwanthere，\"shebegancoldly，andashedidnotanswershecontinued：\"Ihaveafeelingthatyouarewatchingus。IhadthisfeelingwhenIsawyouthefirsttimeandnoticedthen-pardonmyfrankness-thatyoustaredatussharplywhileweweresayinggoodbyetoourmasterandmistress。
ThenIsawyoupasstwiceagainthroughthestreetandlookupatourwindows。ThismorningIfindyouatourgardengateandnow-youwillpardonmeifItelltheexacttruth-nowyouhavewormedyourselfinhereunderfalsepretensesbecauseyouhavenorightwhatevertoforceanentranceintothishouse。AndIaskyouagain，whatdoyouwanthere？\"
Mullerwasembarrassed。Thatdidnothappenveryoften。Alsoitdidnothappenveryoftenthathewasinthewrongashewasnow。
Thewomanwasabsolutelyright。Hehadwormedhimselfintothehouseunderfalsepretensestofollowupthenewcluewhichalmostunconsciouslyasyetwasleadinghimonwithastrongerandstrongerattraction。Hecouldnothaveexplaineditandhecertainlywasnotreadytosayanythingaboutitatpoliceheadquarters，evenattheriskofbeingobligedtocontinuetoenterthismysterioushouseunderfalsepretensesandtobetoldthathewasdoingso。Ofcoursethissortofthingwasnecessaryinhisbusiness，itwastheonlywayinwhichhecouldfollowupthecriminals。
Buttherewassomethinginthiswoman’swordsthatcutintoasensitivespotanddrovethebloodtohischeeks。Therewassomethinginthebearingandmannerofthisone-timenursethatimpressedhim，althoughhewasnotamantobelightlyimpressed。
Hehadafeelingthatbehadmadeafoolofhimselfanditbotheredhim。Foramomenthedidnotknowwhatheshouldsaytothiswomanwhostoodbeforehimwithsomuchquietenergyinherbearing。Butthesomethinginhisbrain，thesomethingthatmadehimwhathewas，whisperedtohimthathehaddoneright，andthathemustfollowupthetrailhehadfound。Thatgavehimbackhisusualcalm。
Hetookuphishat，andstandingbeforethepale-facedwoman，lookingherfirmlyintheeyes，hesaid：\"ItistruethatIhavenorightasyettoforcemywayintoyourhouse，thereforeIhavebeenobligedtoenteritasbestIcould。Ihavedonethisofteninmywork，butIdoitforthesafetyofsociety。AndthosewhoreproachmefordoingitaregenerallythosewhomIhavebeenobligedtopersecuteinthenameofthelaw。Mrs。Bernauer，I
willconfessthattherearemomentsinwhichIfeelashamedthatI
havechosenthisprofessionthatcompelsmetohuntdownhumanbeings。ButIdonotbelievethatthisisoneofthosemoments。
Youhavereadthismorning’spapers;youmustknow，therefore，thatamanhasbeenarrestedandaccusedofthemurderwhichinterestsyousomuch;youmustbeabletorealisetheterrorandanxietywhicharenowfillingthisman’sheart。Forto-day’spapers-I
havereadthemmyself-expressedthepublicsentimentthatthepolicemaysucceedinconvictingthismanofthecrime，thatthedeathmaybeavengedandjusticehaveherdue。Severalofthesepapers，thepapersIknowyouhaveboughtandpresumablyread，donotdoubtthatJohannKnollisthemurdererofLeopoldWinkler。
\"NowthereareatleasttwopeoplewhodonotbelievethatKnollisthemurderer。Iamoneofthem，andyou，Mrs。Bernauer，youaretheother。IamgoingnowandwhenIcomeagain，asIdoubtlesswillcomeagain，Iwillcomewithfullrighttoenterthishouse。
IacknowledgefranklythatIhavenojustificationincausingyourarrestasyet，butyouarequitecleverenoughtoknowthatifI
hadthefaintestjustificationIwouldnotleaveherealone。AndonethingmoreIhavetosay。YoumaynotknowthatIhavehadthemostextraordinaryluckinmyprofession，thatinmorethanahundredcasestherehavebeenbuttwowherethecriminalIwashuntingescapedme。Andnow，Mrs。Bernauer，Iwillbidyougoodday。\"
MullersteppedtowardsthewindowandmotionedtoFranz，whowaswalkingupanddownoutside。Theoldmanrantothedoorandmetthedetectiveinthehall。
\"You’dbettergoinandlookafterMrs。Bernauer，\"saidthelatter，\"Icanfindmywayoutalone。\"
Franzlookedafterhim，shakinghisheadinbewildermentandthenenteredhisownroom。\"MercifulGod！\"heexclaimed，bendingdowninterroroverthehousekeeper，wholayonthefloor。Inhisshockandbewildermentheimaginedthatshetoohadbeenmurdered，untilherealisedthatitwasonlyaswoonfromwhichsherecoveredinamoment。Hehelpedherregainherfeetandshelookedaboutasifstilldazed，stammering：\"Hashegone？\"
\"Thestrangeman？……Yes，hewentsometimeago。Butwhathappenedtoyou？Didhegiveyousomethingtomakeyoufaint？Doyouthinkhewasathief？\"
Mrs。Bernauershookherheadandmurmured：\"Oh，no，quitethecontrary。\"AremarkwhichdidnotenlightenFranzparticularlyastothestatusofthemanwhohadjustleftthem。Therewasanoteoffearinthehousekeeperssvoiceandsheaddedhastily：
\"Doesanyonebesidesourselvesknowthathewashere？\"
No。Lizzieandthecookareinthekitchentalkingaboutthemurder。\"
Mrs。Bernauershiveredagainandwentslowlyoutoftheroomandupthestairs。
IfFranzbelievedthatthestrangerhadleftthehousebythefrontentrancehewasverymuchmistaken。WhenMullerfoundhimselfaloneinthecorridorheturnedquicklyandhurriedoutintothegarden。Noneoftheservantshadseenhim。LizzieandthecookwereengagedinanearnestconversationinthekitchenandFranzwasfullyoccupiedwithMrs。Bernauer。Thegardenerwasawayandhiswifebusyatherwashtubs。Noonewasaware，therefore，thatMullerspentabouttenminuteswanderingaboutthegarden，andtenminuteswerequitesufficientforhimtobecomesowellacquaintedwiththeplacethathecouldhavedrawnamapofit。Heleftthegardenthroughthereargate，thelatchofwhichhewasobligedtoleaveopen。Thegardener’swifefounditthatwayseveralhourslaterandwasrathersurprisedthereat。Mullerwalkeddownthestreetrapidlyandcaughtapassingtramway。Hismoodwasnotofthebest，forhecouldnotmakeuphismindwhetherornothismorninghadbeenalostone。HismindsortedandrearrangedallthathekneworcouldimagineconcerningMrs。
Bernaner。Buttherewashardlyenoughofthesefactstoreassurehimthathewasnotonafalsetrail，thathehadnotallowedhimselftowasteprecioushoursallbecausehehadseenawoman’shaggardfaceappearforamomentatthelittlegateinthequietstreet。
CHAPTERVIII
JOHANNKNOLLREMEMBERSSOMETHINGELSE
Muller’sgoalwastheprisonwhereJohannKnollwasawaitinghisfate。Thedetectivehadpermissiontoseethemanasoftenashewishedto。Knollhadbeenprovenathief，buttheaccusationofmurderagainsthimhadnotbeenstrengthenedbyanythingbutthemostsuperficialcircumstantialevidence，thereforeitwasnecessarythatMullershouldtalkwithhiminthehopeofdiscoveringsomethingmoredefinite。
Knolllayasleeponhiscotasthedetectiveandthewarderenteredthecell。Mullermotionedtheattendanttoleavehimalonewiththeprisonerandhestoodbesidethecotlookingdownattheman。
Thefaceonthehardpillowwasnotaverypleasantonetolookat。
Theskinwasroughenedandswollenandhadthatbrown-purpletingewhichcomesfrombeingconstantlyintheopenair，andfromhabitualdrinking。Theweather-beatenlookmaybeseenofteninthefacesofmenwhosehonestworkkeepsthemoutofdoors;butthismanhadnotearnedhiscolouringhonestly，forhewasoneofthesortwhoworkedonlyfromtimetotimewhenitwasabsolutelynecessaryandtherewasnootherwayofgettingapenny。Hishandsprovedthis，foralthoughsoiledandgrimytheyhadsoft，slenderfingerswhichshowednosignsofalifeoftoil。Butevenamanwhohasspentfortyyearsinuselessidlingneednotbeallbad。Theremusthavebeensomegoodleftinthismanorhecouldnothavelaintheresoquietly，breathingeasily，wrappedinaslumberasundisturbedasthatofachild。Itdidnotseempossiblethatanymancouldlietherelikethatwiththeguiltofmurderonhisconscience，orevenwiththeknowledgeinhissoulthathehadplunderedacorpse。
Mullerhadneverbelievedthefirsttobethecase，buthehadthoughtitpossiblethatKnollknewperfectlywellthatitwasalifelessbodyhewasrobbing。Hehadbelieveditatleastuntilthemomentwhenhestoodlookingdownatthesleepingtramp。Now，withthedeepknowledgeofthehumanheartwhichwashisbyinstinctandwhichhisprofessionhadincreasedathousand-fold，Mullerknewthatthismanbeforehimhadnoheavycrimeuponhisconscience-thatitwasreallyashehadsaid-thathehadtakenthewatchandpursefromonewhomhebelievedtobeintoxicatedonly。Ofcourseitwasnotaverycommendabledeedforwhichthetrampwasnowinprison，butitwasslightincomparisontothecrimesofwhichhewassuspected。
Mullerbentlowerovertheunconsciousformandwassurprisedtoseeagentlesmilespreadoverthefacebeforehim。Itbrightenedandchangedthecoarseroughfaceandgaveitforamomentalookofalmostchild-likeinnocence。Somewherewithinthecoarsenedsoultheremustbeaspotofbrightnessfromwhichsuchasmilecouldcome。
ButthefacegrewuglyagainasKnollopenedhiseyesandlookedup。HeshookoffthecloudsofslumberashefeltMuller’shandonhisshoulderandraisedhimselftoasittingposition，grumbling：
\"Can’tIhaveanyrest？Aretheygoingtoquestionmeagain？I’mgettingtiredofthis。I’vesaideverythingIknowanyhow。\"
\"Perhapsnoteverything。PerhapsyouwillanswerafewofmyquestionswhenItellyouthatIbelievethestoryyoutoldusyesterday，andthatIwanttobeyourfriendandhelpyou。\"
Knoll’slittleeyesglancedupwithoutembarrassmentatthemanwhospoketohim。Theyweresharpeyesandhadacertainsparkofintelligenceinthem。Mullerhadnoticedthatyesterday，andhesawitagainnow。Buthesawalsothegleamofdistrustintheseeyes，adistrustwhichfoundexpressioninKnoll’snextwords。
\"Youthinkyoucancatchmewithyourgoodwords，butyou’remakin’
amistake。I’vegotnothin’newtosay。Andyouneedn’tthinkthatyoucanblindme，Iknowyou’reoneofthepolice，andI’mnotgoingtosayanythingatall。\"
\"Justasyoulike。Iwastryingtohelpyou，IbelieveIreallycouldhelpyou。IhavejustcomefromHietzing-butofcourseifyoudon’twanttotalktome-\"Mullershruggedhisshouldersandturnedtowardthedoor。
ButbeforehereacheditKnollstoodathisside。\"Youreallymeantohelpme？\"hegasped。
\"Ido，\"saidthedetectivecalmly。
\"Thenswear，onyourmother’ssoul-orisyourmotherstillalive？\"
\"No，shehasbeendeadsometime。\"
\"Well，then，willyouswearit？\"
\"Wouldyoubelieveanoathlikethat？\"
\"Whyshouldn’tI？\"
\"Withthelifeyou’vebeenleading？\"
\"Mylife’snoworsethanalotofothers。StealingthosethingsonMondaywastheworstthingI’vedoneyet。Willyouswear？\"
\"Isitsomethingsoveryimportantyouhavetotellme？\"
\"No，Iain’tgotnothin’atallnewtotellyou。ButI’djustliketoknow-inthisblackholeI’vegotinto-I’djustliketoknowthatthere’sonehumanbeingwhomeanswellwithme-I’dliketoknowthatthere’sonemanintheworldwhodon’tthinkI’mquitegood-for-nothin’。\"
Thetrampcoveredhisfacewithhishandsandgaveaheart-rendingsob。Deeppitymovedthedetective’sbreast。HeledKnollbacktohiscot，andputbothhandsonhisshoulders，sayinggravely：\"I
believethatthistheftwastheworstthingyouhavedone。Bymymother’ssalvation，Knoll，IbelieveyourwordsandIwilltrytohelpyou。\"
Knollraisedhishead，lookingupatMullerwithaglanceofunspeakablegratitude。Withtremblinglipshekissedthehandwhichamomentbeforehadpressedkindlyonhisshoulder，clingingfasttoitasifhecouldnotbeartoletitgo。Mullerwasalmostembarrassed。\"Oh，comenow，Knoll，don’tbefoolish。Pullyourselftogetherandanswermyquestionscarefully，forIamaskingyouthesequestionsmoreforyourownsakethanforanythingelse。\"
Thetrampnoddedandwipedthetearsfromhisface。Helookedalmosthappyagain，andtherewasasoftnessinhiseyesthatshowedtherewassomethinginthemanwhichmightbesavedandwhichwasworthsaving。
Mullersatbesidehimonthecotandbegan：\"Therewasonemistakeinyourstoryyesterday。Iwantyoutothinkitovercarefully。
Yousaidthatyousawfirstawomanandthenamangoingthroughtheneighbouringgarden。Ibelievethatoneorbothofthesepeopleisthecriminalforwhomwearelooking。Therefore，Iwantyoutotryandremembereverythingthatyoucanconnectwiththem，everyslightestdetail。Anythingthatyoucantellusmaybeofthegreatestimportance。Therefore，thinkverycarefully。\"
Knollsatstillafewmoments，evidentlytryinghardtoputhishazyrecollectionsintousefulformandshape。Butitwasalsoevidentthatorderlythinkingwasanunusualworkforhim，andhefounditalmosttoodifficult。\"Iguessyou’betteraskmequestions，maybethat’llgo，\"hesaidafterapause。
ThenMullerbegantoquestion。Withhisusualthoroughnesshebeganattheverybeginning：\"Whenwasitthatyouclimbedthefencetogetintotheshed？\"
\"Itjuststrucknineo’clockwhenIputmyfootonthelowestbar。\"
\"Areyousureofthat？\"
\"Quitesure。Icountedeverystroke。Yousee，Iwantedtoknowhowlongthenightwasgoingtobe，seein’I’dhavetosleepinthatshed。Iwasinthegardenjustexactlyanhour。Icameoutoftheshedasitstrucktenanditwasn’tbutafewminutesbeforeIwasinthestreetagain。\"
\"Andwhenwasitthatyousawthewomaninthegardennextdoor？\"
\"H’m，Idon’tjustknowwhenthatwas。I’dbeeninonthebenchquiteawhile。\"
\"Andtheman？Whendidyouseetheman？\"
\"Hecamepastafewminutesafterthewomanhadgonetowardsthelittlehouseinthegarden。\"
\"Ah！thereyousee，that’swhereyoumadeyourmistake。Itismorethanlikelythatthesetwodidnotgotothelittlehouse，butthattheywentsomewhereelse。Didtheywalkslowlyandquietly？\"
\"Notabitofit。Theyranalmost……Wentpastasquickasabatinthenight。\"
\"Thentheybothappearedtobeinahurry？\"
\"Yesindeedtheydid。\"
\"Ah，ha，yousee！Nowwhenanyone’sinahurryhedoesn’tgothelongestwayround，asarule。Anditwouldhavebeenthelongestwayroundforthesetwopeopletogofromthebighousetothegardener’scottage-forthelittlehouseyousawwasthegardener’scottage。Thereistallthickhedgethatstartsfromthemainbuildingandgoesrightdownthroughthegarden，quiteadistancepastthegardener’scottage。Thevegetablegardenisontheleftsideofthishedgeandinthemiddleofthevegetablegardenisthegardener’scottage。Butyoucouldhaveseenthemanandthewomanonlybecausetheypasseddowntherightsideofthehedge，andthiswouldhavegiventhemadetouroffiftypacesormoretoreachthegardener’shouse。Novdoyouthinkthattwopeoplewhowereverymuchinahurrywouldhavegonedowntherightsideofthehedge，toreachaplacewhichtheycouldhavegottentomuchquickerontheleftside？\"
\"No，thatwouldhavebeenafoolthingtodo。\"
\"Andyouarequitesunthatthesepeoplewereinahurry？\"
\"That’sdeadsure。Iscarcelysawthembeforethey’dgoneagain。\"
\"Andyoudidn’tseethencomehack？\"
\"No，atleastIdidn’tpayanyfurtherattentiontothem。WhenI
thoughtitwouldn’tbeanygoodtolookaboutinthereIturnedaroundanddozedoff。\"
\"Anditwasduringthisdozingthatyouthoughtyouheardtheshot？\"
Yes，sir，that’sright。\"
\"Andyoudidn’tnoticeanythingelse？Youdidn’thearanythingelse。\"
\"No，nothin’atall，therewassomuchnoiseanyway。Therewasahighwindthatnightandthetreeswererattlingandcreaking。\"
\"Andyoudidn’tseeanythingelse，anythingthatattractedyourattention？\"
\"No，nothing-\"Knolldidnotfinishhissentence，butbegananotherinstead。Hehadsuddenlyrememberedsomethingwhichhadseemedtohimofnoimportancebefore。\"Therewasalightthatwentoutsuddenly。\"
\"Where？\"
\"InthesideofthehousethatIcouldseefrommyplace。Therewasalampinthelastwindowofthesecondstory，alampwitharedshade。Thatlampwentoutallatonce。\"
\"Wasthewindowopen？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Therewasastrongwindthatnight，mightnotthewindhaveblownthelampout？\"
\"No，thatwasn’tit，\"saidKnoll，risinghastily。
\"Well，howwasit？\"askedMullercalmly。
\"Ahandputoutthelamp。\"
\"Whosehand？\"
\"Icouldn’tseethat。ThelightwassolowonaccountoftheshadethatIcouldn’tseethepersonwhostoodthere。\"
\"Andyoudon’tknowwhetheritwasamanorawoman？\"
\"No，Ijustsawahand，morelikeashadowitwas。\"
\"Well，itdoesn’tmattermuchanyway。Itwasafternineo’clockandmanypeoplegotobedaboutthattime，\"saidMuller，whodidnotseemuchvalueinthisincident。
ButKnollshookhishead。\"Thepersonwhoputoutthatlightdidn’tgotobed，atleastnotrightaway，\"hesaideagerly。\"IlookedoverafterawhiletotheplacewheretheredlightwasandIsawsomethingelse。\"
\"Well，whatwasityousaw？\"
\"Thewindowhadbeenclosed。\"
\"Whoclosedit？Didn’tyouseethepersonthattime？Themoonlightlayfullonthehouse。\"
\"Yes，whenthereweren’tanyclouds。Buttherewasaheavycloudoverthemoonjustthenandwhenitcameoutagainthewindowwasshutandtherewasawhitecurtaindrawninfrontofit。\"
\"Howcouldyouseethat？\"
\"Icouldseeitwhenthelampwaslitagain。\"
\"Thenthelampwaslitagain？\"
\"Yes，Icouldseetheredlightbehindthecurtain。\"
\"Andwhathappenedthen？\"
\"Nothingmorethen，exceptthatthemanwentthroughthegarden。\"
Mullerrosenowandtookuphishat。HewasevidentlyexcitedandKnolllookedathimuneasily。\"You’regoin’already？\"heasked。
\"Yes，Ihaveagreatdealtodoto-day，\"repliedthedetectiveandnoddedtotheprisonerasheknockedonthedoor。\"Iamgladyourememberedthat，\"headded，\"itwillbeofusetous，Ithink。\"
Thewarderopenedthedoor，letMullerout，andtheheavyironportalclangedagainbetweenKnollandfreedom。
Mullerwasquitesatisfiedwiththeresultofhisvisittotheaccused。Hehurriedtothenearestcabstandandenteredoneofthecarriageswaitingthere。HegavethedriverMrs。Klingmayer’saddress。Itwasabouttwoo’clockintheafternoonnowandMullerhadhadnothingtoeatyet。Buthewasquiteunawareofthefactashismindwassobusythatnomerephysicalsensationcoulddiverthisattentionforamoment。Mullerneverseemedtoneedsleeporfoodwhenhewasonthetrail，particularlynotinthefascinatingfirststagesofthecasewhenitwashisimaginationalone，catchingattriflesunnoticedbyothers，combiningtheminmasterlyfashiontoanorderedwhole，thatfirstledtheseekerstothetruth。NowhewentoveroncemoreallthelittleapparentlytrivialincidentsthathadcausedhimfirsttowatchtheThornehouseholdandthenhaddrawnhisattention，andhissuspicion，toAdeleBernauer。ItwasthebrokenwillowtwigthathadfirstdrawnhisattentiontotheoldgardennexttheThorneproperty。
Thistwig，thisgarden，andperhapssomeonewhocouldreachhishomeagain，unseenandunendangeredthroughthisgarden-mightnotthishavesomethingtodowiththemurder？
Thebreakingofthetwigwasalreadyexplained。ItwasJohannKnollwhohadsteppedonit。Buthehadnotclimbedthewallatall，hadonlycreptalongitlookingforanight’sshelter。AndtherewasnoconnectionbetweenKnollandthepeoplewholivedintheThornehouse。Mullerhadnottheslightestdoubtthatthetramphadtoldtheentiretruththatdayandthedaypreceding。
Thenthedetective’smindwentbacktothehappeningsofTuesdaymorning。ThelittletwighadfirstdrawnhisattentiontotheThorneestateandthepeoplewholivedthere。Hehadseenthedepartureoftheyoungcoupleandhadpassedthehouseagainthatafternoonandthefollowingday，drawntoitasifbyamagnet。
Hehadnotbeenablethentoexplainwhatitwasthatattractedhim;therehadbeennothingdefiniteinhismindashestrolledpasttheoldmansion。Buthisrepeatedappearancehadbeennoticedbysomeone-byonepersononly-thehousekeeper。Whyshouldshehavenoticedit？Hadsheanyreasonforbelievingthatshemightbewatched？Peoplewithanuneasyconscienceareveryapttoconnectevenperfectlynaturaltrivialcircumstanceswiththeirowndoings。AdeleBernauerhadevidentlyconnectedMuller’srepeatedpassingwithsomethingthatconcernedherselfevenbeforethedetectivehadthoughtofheratall。
Mullerhadnotnoticedheruntilhehadseenherpeculiarconductthatverymorning。WhenheheardFranz’swordsandsawhowdisturbedthewomanwas，heaskedhimself：\"Whydidthiswomanwanttobeshownthespotofthemurder？Didn’tsheknowthatplace，livingsonearit，aswellasanyofthemanywhostoodtherestaringinmorbidcuriosity？Didsheasktohaveitshownherthattheothersmightbelieveshehadnothingwhatevertodowiththeoccurrencesthathadhappenedthere？Orwasshedrawnthitherbythatqueerattractionthatbringsthecriminalbacktothesceneofhiscrime？\"
ThesuddenvisionofMrs。Bernauer’sheadatthegardengate，anditsequallysuddendisappearancehadattractedMuller’sattentionandhisthoughtstothewoman。Whathehadbeenabletolearnaboutherhadincreasedhissuspicionsandherinvoluntaryexclamationwhenshemethimfacetofaceinthehousehadprovedbeyondadoubtthattherewassomethingonhermind。Hisopenaccusation，herdemeanour，andfinallyherswoon，werealllinksinthechainofevidencethatthiswomanknewsomethingaboutthemurderinthequietlane。
WiththissuspicioninhismindwhatMullerhadlearnedfromKnollwasofgreatvaluetohim，atalleventsofgreatinterest。Wasitthehousekeeperwhohadputoutthelight？FornowMullerdidnotdoubtforamomentthatthissuddenextinguishingofthelampwasasignal。HebelievedthatKnollhadseenclearlyandthathehadtoldtrulywhathehadseen。Alampthatisblownoutbythewindflickersuneasilybeforegoingout。Asuddenextinguishingofthelightmeanshumanagency。Andthelampwaslitagainafewmomentsafterwardandburnedonsteadilyasbefore。Ashorttimeafterthelamphadbeenputoutthemanhadbeenseengoingthroughthegarden。Anditcouldnothavebeenmuchlaterbeforetheshotwasheard。Thisshothadbeenfiredbetweenthehoursofnineandten，foritwasduringthishouronlythatKnollwasinthegardenhouseandheardtheshot。Butitwasnotnecessarytodependuponthetramp’sevidencealonetodeterminetheexacthouroftheshot。
Itmusthavebeenbeforehalfpastnine，orotherwisethejanitorofNo。1，whocamehomeatthathourandlayawakesolong，wouldundoubtedlyhaveheardashotfiredsonearhisdomicile，inspiteofthenoiseoccasionedbythehighwind。TherewouldhavebeensufficienttimeforMrs。Bernauertohavereachedtheplaceofthemurderbetweentheputtingoutofthelampandthefiringoftheshot。Butperhapsshemayhaverestedquietlyinherroom;shemayhavebeenonlytheinciterortheaccompliceofthedeed。Butatallevents，sheknewsomethingaboutit，shewasinsomewayconnectedwithit。
Mullerdrewadeepbreath。Hefeltmucheasiernowthathehadarrangedhisthoughtsandmarshalledinorderlyarrayallthefactshehadalreadygathered。Therewasnothingtodonowbuttofollowupagivenpathstepbystepandhecouldnolongerreproachhimselfthathemighthavecastsuspiciononaninnocentsoul。No，hisbearingtowardsMrs。Bernauerhadnotbeensheerbrutality。Hisinstinct，whichhadledhimsounerringlysomanytimes，hadagainshownhimtherightwaywhenhehadthrusttheaccusationinherface。
Nowthathismindwaseasierherealisedthathewasveryhungry。
Hedrovetoarestaurantandorderedahastymeal。
\"Beer，sir？’askedthewaiterforthethirdtime。
\"No，\"answeredMuller，alsoforthethirdtime。
\"Thenyou’lltakewine，sir？\"askedtheinsistentGanymede。
\"Oh，gotothedevil！WhenIwantanythingI’llaskforit，\"
growledthedetective，thistimeeffectivelyscaringthewaiter。
Itdidnotoftenhappenthatacustomerrefuseddrinks，butthentherewerenotmanycustomerswhoneededasclear，aheadasMullerknewhewouldhavetohaveto-day。Alwaysalightdrinker，itwasoneofhisrulesnevertotouchadropofliquorduringthisfirststageofthementalworkingoutofanynewproblemwhichpresenteditself。Butsoft-heartedashewas，herepentedofhisirritationamomentlaterandsoothedthewaiter’swoundedfeelingsbyarichtip。Theboyranouttoopenthecabdoorforhisstrangecustomerandlookedafterhim，wonderingwhetherthemanwasacrankymillionaireormerelyapoet。ForJosephMuller，bynameandbyreputationoneofthebestknownmeninVienna，wasbysightunknowntoallexceptthefewwithwhomhehadtodoonthepoliceforce。Hisappearance，ineverywayinconspicuous，andthefactthatheneversoughtacquaintancewithanyone，wasindeedofthegreatestpossibleassistancetohiminhiswork。Manyofthosewhosawhimseveraltimesinadaywouldpasshimorlookhimfullinthefacewithoutrecognisinghim。Itwasonly，asinthecaseofMrs。Bernauer，theguiltyconsciencethatrememberedfaceandfigureofthisquiet-lookingmanwhowasoneofthemost-fearedservantsofthelawinAustria。
CHAPTERIX
THEELECTRICIAN
WhenMullerreachedthehousewhereMrs。Klingmayerlivedheorderedthecabmantowaitandhurrieduptothewidow’slittleapartment。
HehadthekeytoLeopoldWinkler’sroominhisownpocket，forMrs。KlingmayerhadgiventhiskeytoCommissionervonRiedauatthelatter’srequestandthecommissionerhadgivenittoMuller。
Thedetectivetoldthegoodwomannottobotherabouthimashewantedtomakeanexaminationoftheplacealone。Lefttohimselfinthelittleroom，Mullermadeathoroughsearchofit，openingthecupboard，thebureaudrawers，everypossiblereceptaclewhereanyarticlecouldbekeptorhidden。Whathewantedtofindwassomeletter，somebitofpaper，somememorandaperhaps，anythingthatwouldshowanyconnectionexistingbetweenthemurderedmanandMrs。Bernauer，wholivedsoneartheplacewherethismanhaddiedandwhowassogreatlyinterestedinhismurder。
Thedetective’ssearchwasnotquiteinvain，althoughhecouldnottellyetwhetherwhathehadfoundwouldbeofanyvalue。LeopoldWinklerhadhadverylittlecorrespondence，orelsehehadhadnoreasontokeepthelettershereceived。Mullerfoundonlyaboutahalfdozenlettersinall。Threeofthemwerefromwomenofthehalf-world，givingdatesformeetings。Anotherwaswrittenbyamanandsigned\"Theo。\"This\"Theo\"appearedtobethesamesortofacheaprounderthatWinklerwas。Andheseemedtohavesunkonegradedeeperthanthedeadman，inspiteofthelatter’sbadreputation。ForthisotheraddressedWinklerashis\"DearFriend\"
andpleadedwithhimfor\"greaterdiscretion，\"alludingevidentlytosomethingwhichmadethisdiscretionnecessary。
\"Iwonderwhatrascalityitwasthatmadethesetwofriends？\"
murmuredMuller，putting\"Theo’sletterwiththethreehehadalreadyread。Butbeforeheslippeditinhispocketheglancedatthepostmark。Thelettersofthethreewomenhadallbeenpostedfromdifferentquartersofthecitysomemonthsago。Theo’sletterwaspostmarked\"Marburg，\"anddatedonthe1stofSeptemberofthepresentyear。
ThenMullerlookedatthepostmarkofthetworemainingletterswhichhehadnotyetread，andwhistledsoftlytohimself。BoththeseletterswerepostedfromacertainstationinHietzing，thestationwhichwasnearesthisownlodgingsandalsonearesttheThornehouse。Helookedatthepostmarkmoresharply。Theybothborethedatesofthepresentyear，oneofthembeingstamped\"March17th，\"theother\"September24th。\"Thislastletterinterestedthedetectivemost。
Mullerwasnotofanervousdisposition，buthishandtrembledslightlyashetooktheletterfromitsenvelope。Itwasclearthatthisletterhadbeentornopenhastily，fortheedgesoftheopeningwerejaggedanduneven。
Whenthedetectivehadreadtheletter-itcontainedbutafewlinesandboreneitheraddressnorsignature-heglancedoveritoncemoreasiftomemorisethewords。Theywereasfollows：
\"Donotcomeagain。InadayortwoIwillbeabletodowhatI
havetodo。Iwillsendyoulaternewstoyouroffice。Impatiencewillnothelpyou。\"-Thesewordswerewrittenhastilyonapieceofpaperthatlookedasifithadbeentornfromapad。Inspiteofthehastethewriterhadbeenatsomepainstodisguisethehandwriting。Butitwasaclumsydisguise，donebyonenotaccustomedtosuchtricks，anditwasevidentlydonebyawoman。
Allshehadknownhowtodotodisguiseherwritinghadbeentotwistandturnthepaperwhilewriting，sothateveryletterhadadifferentposition。Theletterswerealsomadeunusuallylong。
Thispeculiarityofthewritingwasseenonbothlettersandbothenvelopes。Theearlierletterwasstillshorterandseemedtohavebeenwrittenwiththesamehaste，andwiththesamedisgust，orperhapsevenhatred，forthemantowhomitwaswritten。
\"Cometo-morrow，butnotbeforeeighto’clock。Hehasgoneaway。
Godforgivehimandyou。\"Thiswasthecontentsoftheletterofthe17thofMarch。Thatis，thewriterhadpennedtheletterthisway。Butthelasttwowords，\"andyou，\"hadevidentlynotcomefromherheart，forshehadannulledthembyaheavystrokeofthepen。Astrokethatseemedlikeaknifethrust，sofullofrageandhateitwas。
\"SohewascalledtoarendezvousinHietzing，too，\"murmuredMuller，thenheaddedafterafewmoments：\"Butthisrendezvoushadnothingwhatevertodowithlove。\"
TherewasnothingelseinWinkler’sroomwhichcouldbeofanyvaluetoMullerintheproblemthatwasnowbeforehim。Andyethewasverywellsatisfiedwiththeresultofhiserrand。
Heenteredhiscabagain，orderingthedrivertotakehimtoHietzing。Justbeforehehadreachedthecornerwherehehadtoldthemantostop，anothercabpassedthem，acoupe，inwhichwasasolitarywoman。MullerhadjusttimeenoughtorecognisethiswomanasAdeleBernauer，andtoseethatshelookedevenmorehaggardandmiserablethanshehadthatmorning。Shedidnotlookupastheothercabpassedhercarriage，thereforeshedidnotseeMuller。
Thedetectivelookedathiswatchandsawthatitwasalmosthalf-pastfour。Theunexpectedmeetingchanged，hisplansfortheafternoon。HehaddecidedthathemustentertheThornemansionagainthatveryday，forhemustfindoutthemeaningofthered-shadedlamp。Andnowthatthehousekeeperwasawayitwouldbeeasierforhimtogetintothehouse，thereforeitmustbedoneatonce。Hisexcusewasallready，forhehadbeenweighingpossibilities。Hedismissedhiscabablockfromhisownhomeandenteredhishousecautiously。
Muller’slodgingsconsistedoftwolargerooms，reallymuchtoolargeforalonemanwhowasathomesolittle。ButMullerhadengagedthematfirstsight，fortheapartmentpossessedonequalificationwhichwasabsolutelynecessaryforhim。Itssituationandthearrangementofitsdoorsmadeitpossibleforhimtoenterandleavehisroomswithoutbeingseeneitherbyhisownlandladyorbytheotherlodgersinthehouse。Thelittleapartmentwasonthegroundfloor，andMuller’sownroomshadaseparateentranceopeningontothemaincorridoralmostimmediatelybehindthedoor。Ninetimesoutoften，hecouldcomeandgowithoutbeingseenbyanyoneinthehouse。To-daywasthefirsttime，however，thatMullerhadhadoccasiontotrythisparticularqualificationofhisnewlodgings。
Heopenedthestreetdoorandslippedintohisownroomwithouthavingseenorbeenseenbyanyone。
Fifteenminuteslaterhelefttheapartmentagain，butleftitsuchachangedmanthatnobodywhohadseenhimgoinwouldhaverecognisedhim。Beforehecameout，however，helookedaboutcarefullytoseewhethertherewasanyoneinsightHecameoutunseenandwasjustclosingthemaindoorbehindhim，whenhemetthejanitress。
\"Wereyoulookingforanybodyinthehouse？\"saidthewoman，glancingsharplyatthestranger，whoansweredinaslightlyveiledvoice：\"No，Imadeamistakeinthenumber。TheplaceIamlookingforistwohousesfurtherdown。\"
Hewalkeddownthestreetandthewomanlookedafterhimuntilshesawhimturnintothedoorwayofthesecondhouse。Thenshewentintoherownrooms。ThehouseMullerenteredhappenedtobeacornerhousewithanentranceontheotherstreet，throughwhichthedetectivepassedandwentonhisway。Hewasquitesatisfiedwiththesecurityofhisdisguise，forthewomanwhoknewhimwellhadnotrecognisedhimatall。Ifhisownjanitressdidnotknowhim，thepeopleintheThornehousewouldneverimagineitwashe。
AndindeedMullerwasentirelychanged。Inactualitysmallandthin，withsparsebrownhairandsmoothshavenface，hewasnowaninchortwotallerandverymuchstouter。Heworethickcurlyblondhair，alittlepointedblondbeardandmoustache。Hiseyeswerehiddenbyheavy-rimmedspectacles。
Itwasjusthalf-pastfivewhenherangthebellattheentrancegatetotheThorneproperty。Hehadspenttheinterveningtimeinthecaf？ashewasinnohurrytoenterthehouse。Franzcamedownthepathandopenedthedoor。\"’Whatdoyouwant？\"heasked。
\"IcomefromSiemens&Halske;Iwastoaskwhethertheotherman-\"
\"Hasbeenherealready？\"interruptedFranz，addinginanirritatedtone，\"No，hehasn’tbeenhereatall。\"
\"Well，Iguesshedidn’tgetthroughattheotherplaceintime。
I’llseewhatthetroubleis，\"saidthestranger，whomFranznaturallysupposedtobetheelectrician，lieopenedthegateandaskedtheothertocomein，leadinghimintothehouse。Underacloudyskythedaywasfadingrapidly。Mullerknewthatitwouldnotoccurtotherealelectriciantobeginanyworkaslateasthis，andthathewasperfectlysafeintheexaminationhewantedtomake。
\"Well，what’sthetroublehere？Whydidyouwritetoourfirm？\"
askedthesupposedelectrician。
\"Thewiresmustcrosssomewhere，orthere’ssomethingwrongwiththebells。Whenthehousekeepertouchesthebuttoninherroomtoringforthecookortheupstairsgirl，thebellringsinMr。Thorne’sroom。Itstartsringinganditkeepsupwithadeuceofanoise。
Fortunatelythefamilyareaway。\"
\"Well，we’llfixitallrightforyou。FirstofallIwanttolookatthebuttoninthehousekeeper’sroom。\"
\"I’lltakeyouupthere，\"saidFranz。
Theywalkedthroughthewidecorridor，thenturnedintoashorter，darkerhallandwentupanarrowwindingstairway。Franzhaltedbeforeadoorinthesecondstory。Itwasthelastofthethreedoorsinthehall。\"Mullertookoffhishatasthedooropenedandmurmureda\"good-evening。\"
\"There’snoonethere;Mrs。Bernaner’sout。\"
\"Hasshegoneaway，too？\"askedtheelectricianhastily。
Franzdidnotnoticethattherewasaslightchangeinthestranger’svoiceatthisquestion，andheansweredcalmlyasever：\"Oh，no;
she’sjustdriventotown。Tthinkshewenttoseethedoctorwholivesquiteadistanceaway。Shehasn’tbeenfeelingatallwell。
Shetookacabto-day。Itoldhersheoughtto，asshewasn’twellenoughtogobythetram。Sheoughttobehomeanymomentnow。\"
\"Well，I’llhurryupwiththejobsothatI’llbeoutofthewaywhentheladycomes，\"saidMuller，asFranzledhimtothemisbehavingbell。
Itwasinthewallimmediatelyabovealargetablewhichfilledthewindownichesocompletelythattherewasbutscantspaceleftforthecomfortablearmchairthatstoodinfrontofit。ThewindowwasopenandMullerleanedout，lookingdownatthegardenbelow。
\"Whatafineoldgarden！\"heexclaimedaloud。Tohimselfhesaid：
\"Thisisthelastwindowintheleftwing。ItisthewindowwhereJohannKnollsawtheredlight。\"
AndwhenheturnedbackintotheroomagainhefoundthesourceofthislightrightathishandonthehandsomeoldtableatwhichMrs。
Bernauerevidentlyspentmanyofherhours。Arowofbooksstoodagainstthewall，framingthebackofthetable。Well-wornvolumesoftheclassicsamongthemgaveproofthattheone-timenursewasawomanofeducation。Asewingbasketandneatpilesofhouselinen，awaitingrepairs，coveredalargepartofthetable-top，andbesidethemstoodagracefullyshapedlamp，coveredbyashadeofsoftredsilk。
IttookMullerbutafewsecondstoseeallthis。Thenhesetabouthisinvestigationoftheelectricbutton。Heunscrewedtheplateandexaminedthewiresmeetingunderit。Whiledoingsohecastanotherglanceatthetableandsawaletterlyingthere，anopenletterhalfoutofitsenvelope。Thisenvelopewasofunusualshape，longandnarrow，andthepaperwasheavyandhigh-glossed。
\"Yourhousekeeperevidentlyhasnosecretsfromtherestofyou，\"
Mullerremarkedwithalaugh，stillbusyatthewires，\"orshewouldn’tleaveherletterslyingaboutlikethat。\"
\"Oh，we’veallheardwhat’sinthatletter，\"repliedFranz。\"Shereadittouswhenitcamethismorning。It’sfromtheMadam。Shesentmessagestoallofusandorders，soMrs。Bernauerreadusthewholeletter。There’snosecretsinthat。\"
\"Thebuttonhasbeenpressedintoofarandcaughtdown。Thatseemstobethemaintrouble，\"saidMuller，readjustingthelittleknob。
\"I’dlikeacandlehereifImayhaveone。\"
\"I’llgetyoualightatonce，\"saidFranz。Buthisintentions，howeverexcellent，seemeddifficultoffulfilment。Itwasrapidlygrowingdark，andtheoldbutlerpeeredaboutuncertainly。\"Stupid，\"
hemuttered。\"Idon’tknowwhereshekeepsthematches。Ican’tfindthemanywhere。I’mnotasmoker，soIhaven’tanyinmypocket。\"
\"NorI，\"saidMullercalmly，lettinghishandcloseprotectinglyoveranewfullboxoftheminhisownpocket。