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。"