"I’llgetyousomefrommyownroom，"andFranzhurriedaway，hislooseslippersclatteringdownthestairs。HewasnosoonerwelloutoftheroomthanMullerhadtheletterinhishandandwasstandingclosebythewindowtocatchthefadinglight。Butontheoldservant’sreturnthesupposedelectricianstoodcalmlyawaitingthecomingofthelight，andtheletterwasbackonthetablehalfhiddenbyapieceoflinen。Franzdidnotnoticethattheenvelopewasmissing。Andthehousekeeper，whosemindwassoupsetbytheeventsoftheday，andwhosethoughtswereonothermoreabsorbingmatters，wouldhardlybelikelytorememberwhethershehadreturnedthisquiteunimportantlettertoitsenvelopeornot。
Franzbroughtalightedcandlewithhim，andMuller，whoreallydidpossessacreditableknowledgeofelectricity，sawthatthewiresintheroomwereallingoodcondition。Ashehadseenatfirst，therewasreallynothingthematterexceptwiththepositionofthebutton。ButitdidnotsuithispurposetoenlightenFranzonthematterjustyet。
"NowI’dbetterlookatthewiresinthegentleman’sroom，"hesaid，whenhehadreturnedplateandbuttontotheirplace。
"Justasyousay，"repliedFranz，takinguphiscandleandleadingthewayoutintothehailanddownthewindingstair。Theycrossedthelowercorridor，mountedanotherstaircaseandenteredalarge，handsomelyfurnishedroom，halfstudio，halflibrary。Thewallwascoveredwithpicturesandsketches，severaleaselsstoodpiledupinthecorner，andabroadtablebesidethemheldpaintboxes，colourtubes，brushes，alltheparaphernaliaofthepainter，nowcarefullyorderedandcoveredforatermofidleness。Greatbookcasestoweredtotheceiling，andahugeflattopdesk，acostlypieceoffurniture，wascoveredwithbooksandpapers。Itwastheroomofamanofbrainsandbreeding，amanoftalentandability，possessing，furthermore，themeanstoindulgehistastesfreely。Evennow，withitsmasterabsent，thehandsomeapartmentboretheimpressofhispersonality。Thedetective’squickimaginationcalleduptheattractive，sympatheticfigureofthemanhehadseenatthegate，ashisquickeyetookinthedetailsoftheroom。AllthecharmofHerbertThorne’spersonality，whichthekeen-sensedMullerhadfeltsostronglyeveninthatfleetingglimpseofhim，camebackagainhereintheroomwhichwashisownlittlekingdomandtheexpressionofhismentality。
"Well，what’sthetroublehere？Wherearethewires？"askedthedetective，afterthemomentarypausewhichhadfollowedhisentranceintotheroom。Franzledhimtoaspotonthewallhiddenbyamarquetrycabinet。"Here’sthebell，itringsforseveralminutesbeforeitstops。"
Thelightofthecandlewhichthebutlerheldfelluponaportraithangingabovethecabinet。Itwasasketchinwater-colours，thelife-sizedheadofamanwhomayhavebeenaboutthirtyyearsold，perhaps，butwhohadnoneofthefreshnessandvigourofyouth。
Thescantyhair，thesunkentemples，andthefadedskin，emphasisedthelookofdissipationgivenbythelinesaboutthesensualmouthandtheshiftyeyes。
"Well，say，can’tyourmasterfindanythingbettertopaintthanafacelikethat？"Mulleraskedwithalaugh。
"Goodnessme！youmustn’tsaysuchthings！"exclaimedFranzinalarm;"that’stheMadam’sbrother。He’sanofficer，I’dhaveyouknow。It’strue，hedoesn’tlooklikemuchthere，butthat’sbecausehe’snotinuniform。Itmakessuchadifference。"
"Istheladyanythinglikeherbrother？"askedthedetectiveindifferently，bendingtoexaminethewiring。
"Oh，dear，no，notabit;they’reasdifferentasdayandnight。
He’sonlyherhalf-brotheranyway。ShewasthedaughteroftheColonel’ssecondwife。OurMadamisthesweetest，gentlestladyyoucanimagine，anangelofgoodness。ButtheLieutenantherehasalwaysbeenacaretohisfamily，theysay。Iguesshe’squieteddownabitnow，forhisfather-he’sColonelLeining，retired-madehimgetexchangedfromthecitytoasmallgarrisontown。There’snothingmuchtodoinMarburg，Idaresay-well！
youareamerrysort，aren’tyou？"Theselastwords，spokeninatoneofsurprise，werecalledforthbyasuddensharpwhistlefromthedetective，awhistlewhichwentoffintoafewmerrybars。
AsuddenwhistlelikethatfromMuller’slipswassomethingthatmadetheImperialPoliceForcesitupandtakenotice，foritmeantthatthingswerehappening，andthatthehappeningswerelikelytobecomeexciting。Itwasahabithecouldcontrolonlybytheseveresteffortofthewill，aneffortwhichhekeptforoccasionswhenitwasabsolutelynecessary。Here，alonewiththeharmlessoldman，hewasnotsomuchonhisguard，andthesuddenvibratingofeverynerveattheword"Marburg，"foundventinthewhistlewhichsurprisedoldFranz。OneyoungpolicecommissionerwithafancyformetaphorhadlikenedthissuddeninvoluntarywhistleofMuller’stothebayofthehoundwhenhestrikesthetrail;whichwasaboutwhatitwas。
"Yes，Iammerrysometimes，"hesaidwithalaugh。"It’sahabitIhave。Somethingoccurredtomejustthen，somethingIhadforgotten。Hopeyoudon’tmind。"
"Oh，no，there’snooneherenow，whistleallyoulike。"
ButMuller’swhistlewasnotacontinuousperformance，andhehadnowcompletelymasteredtheexcitationofhisnerveswhichhadcalleditforth。HethrewanothersharplookatthepictureofthemanwholivedinMarburg，andthenasked："Andnowwhereisthebutton？"
"Bythewindowthere，besidethedesk。"Franzledthewaywithhiscandle。
"Why，howfunny！Whatarethosemirrorstherefor？"askedtheelectricianinatoneofsurprise，pointingtotwosmallmirrorshanginginthewindowniche。Theywereplacedataheightandatsuchapeculiaranglethatnoonecouldpossiblyseehisfaceinthem。
"Somethingthemasterisexperimentingwith，Iguess。He’salwaysmakingqueerexperiments;heknowsalotaboutscientificthings。"
Mullershookhisheadasifinwonderment，andbenttoinvestigatethebuttonwhichwasfastenedintothewallbeneaththewindowsill。
Hisquickearheardacarriagestoppinginfrontofthehouse，andheardtheclosingofthefrontdooramomentlater。Tofacilitatehisexaminationofthebutton，thedetectivehadseatedhimselfinthearmchairwhichstoodbesidethedesk。Hehalfraisedhimselfnowtoletthelightofthecandlefallmoreclearlyonthewiring-thenhestartedupaltogetherandthrewahastyglanceatthemirrorsabovehishead。Arayoflighthadsuddenlyflasheddownuponhim-arayofredlight，anditcamereflectedfromthemirrors。Mullerbithislipstokeepbackthebetrayingwhistle。
"What’sthematter？"askedthebutler。"Didyoudropanything？"
"Yes，thewoodenrimofthebutton，"repliedMuller，tellingthetruththistime。Forhehadheldthelittlewoodencircletinhishandsatthemomentwhentheredlight，reflecteddownfromthemirrors，struckfulluponhiseyes。Hehaddroppeditinhissurpriseandexcitement。Franzfoundthelittleringinthecentreoftheroomwhereithadrolled，andthesupposedelectricianreplaceditandrosetohisfeet，saying："There，I’vefinishednow。"
Franzdidnotrecognisethedoublemeaninginthewords。"Yes，it’sallright！I’vefinishedherenow，"Mullerrepeatedtohimself。
Fornowheknewbeyondadoubtthattheredlightwasasignal-andheknewalsoforwhomthissignalwasintended。ItwasasignalforHerbertThorne！-HerbertThorne，whomnosinglethoughtorsuspicionofMuller’shadyetconnectedwiththemurderofLeopoldWinkler。
Thedetectivewasverymuchsurprisedandgreatlyexcited。ButFranzdidnotnoticeit，andindeedafarkeenerobserverthantheslow-wittedoldbutlermighthavefailedtoseethesuddengleamwhichshotupinthegreyeyesbehindtheheavyspectacles，mighthavefailedtonoticethetighteningofthelipsbeneaththeblondmoustache，orthetensenessoftheslightframeundertheassumedembonpoint。Muller’severynervewastingling，buthehadhimselfcompletelyinhand。
"Whatdoweoweyou？"askedFranz。
"They’llsendyouabillfromtheoffice。Itwon’tamounttomuch。
Imustbegettingonnow。"
Mullerhastenedoutofthedooranddownthestreettothenearestcabstand。Therewerenotverymanycabstandsinthisvicinity，andthedetectivereasonedthatMrs。Bernauerwouldnaturallyhavetakenhercabfromtheneareststation。Hehadheardherreturninhercarriage，presumablythesameinwhichshehadstartedout。
Therewasbutonecabatthestand。Mullerwalkedtoitandlaidhishandonthedoor。
"Oh，Jimmy！mustIgooutagain？"askedthedriverhoarsely。
"Can’tyouseethepoorbeastisallwetfromthelastride？We’vejustcomein。"Hepointedwithhiswhiptothetired-lookinganimalunderhisblanket。
"Why，hedoeslookwarm。Youmusthavebeenmakingatouroutintothecountry，"saidtheblondgentlemaninafriendlytone。
"No，sir，notquitesofarasthat。I’vejusttakenawomantothemaintelegraphofficeinthecityandbackagain。Butshewasinahurryandhe’snotayounghorse，sir。"
"Well，nevermind，then;Icangetanothercabacrossthebridge，"
repliedthestoutblondman，turningawayandstrollingoffleisurelyinthedirectionofthebridge。Itwasnowquitedark，andafewstepsfurtheronMullercouldsafelyturnandtaketheroadtohisownlodging。Noonesawhimgoin，andinafewmomentstherealMuller，slight，smooth-shaven，satdownathisdesk，lookingatthepapersthatlaybeforehim。Theywerethreelettersandanemptyenvelope。
Hetookupthelast，andcompareditcarefullywiththeenvelopeofoneofthelettersfoundinWinkler’sroom-theunsignedletterpostmarkedHietzing，September24th。Thetwoenvelopeswereexactlyalike。Theywereofthesamesizeandshape，madeofthesamecream-tinted，heavy，glossypaper，andtheaddresswaswrittenbythesamehand。Thisanykeenobserver，whoneednotnecessarilybeanexpert，couldsee。ThesamehandwhichhadaddressedtheenvelopetoMrs。AdeleBernauerontheletterwhichwaspostmarked"Venice，"aboutthirty-sixhoursprevious-thishandhad，inanawkwardandchildishattemptatdisguise，writtenWinkler’saddressontheenvelopewhichborethedateofSeptember24th。
ThewriteroftheharmlesslettertoMrs。Bernauer，aletterwhichchattedofhouseholdtopicsandtouchedlightlyonthebeautiesofVenice，wasMrs。Thorne。ItwasMrs。Thorne，therefore，who，reluctantlyandinangeranddistaste，hadcalledLeopoldWinklertoHietzing，tohisdeath。
Andwhosehandhadfiredtheshotthatcausedhisdeath？Thequestion，atthisstageinMuller’smeditation，couldhardlybecalledaquestionanymore。Itwasalltoosadlycleartohimnow。
Winklermethisdeathatthehandofthehusband，who，discoveringtheplannedrendezvous，hadmisunderstooditsmotive。
Fortrulythishadbeennolovers’meeting。Ithadbeenameetingtowhichthewomanwasdrivenbyfearandhate;themanbygreedofgain。Thiswasclearlyprovedbythe300guldensfoundinthedeadman’spocket，moneyenclosedinadelicatelittleenvelope，sealedhastily，andcrumpledasifithadbeencarriedinahotandtremblinghand。
ItwasalreadyknownthatWinklerneverhadanymoneyexceptatcertainirregularintervals，whenheappearedtohavecomeintopossessionofconsiderablesums。Duringthesedaysheindulgedinextravagantpleasuresandspenthismoneywitharecklessnesswhichprovedthathehadnotearneditbyhonestwork。
LeopoldWinklerwasablackmailer。
ColonelLeining，retired，thefatheroftwosuchwidelydifferentchildren，wasdoubtlessamanofsternprinciples，andanarmyofficeraswell，thereforeamanwithadoublysensitivecodeofhonourandasocialpositiontomaintain;andthisman，morbidlysensitiveprobably，hadadaughterwhohadinheritedhissensitivenessandhishighidealsofhonour，adaughtermarriedtoarichhusband。Buthehadanotherchild，asonwithoutanysenseofhonouratall，who，althoughalsoanofficer，failedtoliveinamannerworthyhisposition。ThissonwasnowinMarburg，wheretherewerenoexpensivepleasures，noall-nightcafesandgamblingdens，foramantolosehistimein，hismoney，andhishonouralso。
ForsuchmusthavebeenthecasewithColonelLeining’ssonbeforehisexiletoMarburg。Theoldbutlerhadhintedatthetruth。TheportraitdrawnbyHerbertThorne，apictureofsuchtechnicalexcellencethatitwasdoubtlessagoodlikenessalso，hadgivenanuglyillustrationtoFranz’sremarks。Andtherewassomethingevenmoretangibletoproveit："Theo’s"letterfromMarburgpleadingwithWinklerfor"discretionandsilence，"notknowing（"letushopehedidnotknow！"murmuredMullerbetweensetteeth）thatthemanwhoheldhiminhispowerbecauseofsomerascality，wasbeingpaidforhissilencebytheLieutenant’ssister。
Itiseasytofrightenasensitivewoman，soeasytomakeherbelievetheworst！Andthereislittlesuchatender-heartedwomanwillnotdotosaveheragingfatherfrompainandsorrow，perhapsevendisgrace！
ItmusthavebeeninthiswaythatMrs。Thornecameintothepowerofthescoundrelwhopaidwithhislifeforhislastattemptatblackmail。
WhenMullerreachedthispointinhischainofthought，heclosedhiseyesandcoveredhisfacewithhishands，lettingtwopicturesstandoutclearbeforehismentalvision。
HesawthelittleanxiousgrouparoundthecarriageinfrontoftheThornemansion。Hesawthepale，frailwomanleaningbackonthecushions，andthehusbandbendingoverherintendercare。AndthenhesawJohannKnollinhiscell，amanwithlittlemanhoodleftinhim，amansunktothelevelofthebrutes，amanwhohadalreadycommittedonecrimeagainstsociety，andwhocouldneverrisetothementalorspiritualstandardofeventhemostmediocreofdecentcitizens。
IfHerbertThorneweretosufferthejustpunishmentforhisdeedofdoublyblindjealousy，thenitwasnotonlyhisownlife，alifefullofgraciouspromise，thatwouldberuined，butthehappinessofhisdelicate，sweet-facedwife，whowasdoubtlessstillinblessedignoranceofwhathadhappened。Andstilloneotherwouldbedraggeddownbythistragedy;arespected，uprightmanwouldbowhiswhitehairsindisgrace。Thorne’sfather-in-lawcouldnotescapethescandalandhisownshareintheresponsibilityforit。Andtoaveteranofficer，bredintheexaggeratedsocialethicsofhisprofession。suchadisgracemeansruin，sometimesevenvoluntarydeath。
"Oh，dear，ifithadonlybeenKnollwhodidit，"saidMullerwithasighthatwasalmostagroan。
Thenheroseslowlyandheavily，andslowlyandheavily，asifbornedownbytheweightofgreatweariness，hereachedforhishatandcoatandleftthehouse。
Whetherhewisheditornot，heknewitwashisdutytogoontothebitterendonthistrailhehadfollowedupalldayfromthemomentthathecaughtthatfleetingglimpseofMrs。Bernauer’shaggardfaceatthegardengate。Hewasalmostangrywiththewoman，becauseshechancedtolookoutofthegateatjustthatmoment，showinghimherfacedistortedwithanxiety。ForitwasherfacethathaddrawnMullertothetrail，atrailattheendofwhichmiseryawaitedthoseforwhomthiswomanhadworkedforyears，thosewhomshelovedandwhotreatedherasoneofthefamily。
Mullerknewnowthattheone-timenursewasinleaguewithherformercharge;thatThorneandAdeleBernauerwereineachother’sconfidence;thatthemansatwaitingforthesignalwhichshewastogivehim，asignalbringingsomuchdisgraceandsorrowinitstrain。
Ifthewomanhadnotspieduponandbetrayedhermistress，thisterribleevent，whichnowweigheduponherownsoul，wouldnothavehappened。
"Afaithfulservant，indeed，"saidMuller，withaharshlaugh。
ThenmaturerconsiderationcameandforcedhimtoacknowledgethatitwasindeeddevotionthathadswayedAdeleBernauer，devotiontohermastermorethantohermistress。Thiswashardlytobewonderedat。Butshehadnotthoughtwhatmightcomefromherrevelations，whathadcomeofthem。Fornowherpet，thebabywhohadoncelaininherarms，thehandsome，giftedmanwhomsheadoredwithmorethantheloveofmanyamotherforthechildofherownblood，wasundertheshadowofhideousdisgraceanddoom，wasthejustpreyofthelawforopentrialandcondemnationasamurderer。
Mullersigheddeeplyoncemoreandthencameoneofthosemomentswhichhehadspokenoftotheunhappywomanthatveryday。Hefeltlikecursingthefatalgiftthatwashis，thegifttoseewhatwashiddenfromothers，thissomethingwithinhimthatforcedhimrelentlesslyonwarduntilhehaduncoveredthetruth，andbroughtmiserytomany。
Mullerneednotdoanything，heneedsimplydonothing。NotasoulbesideshimselfsuspectedthedwellersintheThornemansionofanyconnectionwiththemurder。Ifheweresilent，nothingcouldbeprovenagainstKnollafterall，excepttherobberywhichhehimselfhadconfessed。Thenthememoryoftheterrorinthetramp’slittlereddenedeyescamebacktothedetective’smind。
"Ahumansoulafterall，andasoultremblingintheshadowofagreatfear。Andevenhe’sabettermanthantheblackmailerwhowaskilled。Amiscarriageofjusticewilloftenmakeacriminalofapoorfellowwhoseworstfaultisidleness。"Muller’sfacedarkenedasthethingsofthepast，shutdowninthedepthsofhisownsoul，roseupagain。"No;that’swhyItookupthiswork。
Justicemustbedone-butit’sbitterhardsometimes。IcouldalmostwishnowthatIhadn’tseenthatfaceatthegate。"
CHAPTERX
MULLERRETURNSTOTHETHORNEMANSION
ItwasstrikingeightasMullercameoutofacaf？intheheartofthecity。Hehadbeenintherebutafewmoments，forhispurposewasmerelytolookthroughtheArmylistsofthecurrentyear。Theresultofhissearchprovedthecorrectnessofhisconclusions。
TherewasaLieutenantTheobaldLeininginthesingleinfantryregimentstationedatMarburg。
Mullertookacabanddrovetothemaintelegraphoffice。Heaskedfortheoriginalofthetelegramwhichhadbeensentthatafternoontotheaddress;"HerbertThorne，HotelDanieli，Venice。"Thisclosedthecircleofthechain。
Thedetectivere-enteredhiswaitingcabanddrovebacktoHietzing。
HetoldthedrivertohaltatthecornerofthestreetonwhichfrontedtheThornemansionandtowaitforhimthere。HehimselfwalkedslowlydownthequietStreetandrangthebellattheirongate。
"Youcometothishouseagain？"askedFranz，startingbackinalarmwhenhesawwhoitwasthathadcalledhimtothedoor。
"Yes，mygoodfriend;Iwanttogetintothishouseagain。Butnotonfalsepretensesthistime。AndbeforeyouletmeinyoucangoupstairsandaskMrs。Bernauerifshewillreceivemeinherownroom-inherownroom，mind。Butmakehaste;Iaminahurry。"
Thedetective’stonewascalmandhestrolledslowlyupanddowninfrontofthegatewhenhehadfinishedspeaking。
Theoldbutlerhesitatedamoment，thenwalkedintothehouse。
Whenhereturned，rathermorequickly，helookedalarmedandhistonewasveryhumbleasheaskedMullertofollowhim。
WhenthedetectiveenteredMrs。Bernauer’sroomthehousekeeperroseslowlyfromthelargearmchairinfrontofhertable。Shewasverypaleandhereyeswerefullofterror。Shemadenomovetospeak，soMullerbegantheconversation。Heputdownhishat，broughtupachairandplaceditnearthewindowatwhichthehousekeeperhadbeensitting。Thenhesatdownandmotionedtohertodothesame。
"Youareafaithfulservant，alltoofaithful，"hebegan。"Butyouarefaithfulonlytoyourmaster。Youhavenodevotionforhiswife。"
"Youaremistaken，"repliedthewomaninalowtone。
"Perhaps，butIdonotthinkso。Onedoesnotbetraythepeopletowhomoneisdevoted。"
Mrs。Bernauerlookedupinsurprise。"What-whatdoyouknow？"
shestammered。
Mullerdidnotanswerthequestiondirectly，butcontinued："Mrs。
Thornehadameetingrecentlywithastrangeman。Itwasnottheirfirstmeeting，andsomehowyoudiscoveredit。Butbeforethislastmeetingoccurredyouspoketothelady’shusbandaboutit，anditwasarrangedbetweenyouthatyoushouldgivehimasignalwhichwouldmeantohim，’Yourwifeisgoingtothemeeting。’Mrs。Thornedidgotothemeeting。ThishappenedonMondayeveningataboutquarterpastnine。Someone，whowasintheneighbourhoodbychance，sawawoman’sfigurehurryingthroughthegarden，downtotheotherstreet，andamomentafterthis，thelightofthislampinyourwindowwasseentogoout。Ahandhadturneddownthewick-itwasyourhand。
"ThiswasthesignaltoMr。Thorne。Themirrorsoverhisdeskreflectedinhiseyesthelighthecouldnototherwisehaveseenashesatbyhisownwindow。Thesignal，therefore，toldhimthatthetimehadcometoact。Thissamechancewatcher，whohadseenthewomangoingthroughthegarden，hadseenthelampgoout，andnowsawaman’sfigurehurryingdownthepaththewomanhadtaken。
Themanaswellasthewomancamefromthishouseandwentinthedirectionofthelowerendofthegarden。
"Alittlewhilelaterashotwasheard，andthenextmorningLeopoldWinklerwasfoundwithabulletinhisback。Thecrimewasgenerallytakentobeamurderforthesakeofrobbery。ButyouandI，andMr。HerbertThorne，knowverywellthatitwasnot。
"YouknowthissinceWednesdaynoon。Thenitwasthattheideasuddenlycametoyou，fallinglikeaheavyweightonyoursoul，theideathatWinklermightnothavebeenkilledforthesakeofrobbery，butbecauseofthehatredthatsomeoneborehim。Thenitwasthatyoulostyourappetitesuddenly，thatyoudroveintothecitywiththeexcuseoferrandstodo，inordertoreadthepaperswithoutbeingseenbyanyonewhoknewyou。Whenyoucamehomeyousearchedeverywhereinyourmaster’sroom：youmadeanexcuseforthissearch，butwhatyouwantedtofindoutwaswhetherhehadleftanythingthatcouldbetrayhim。Yourfrighthadalreadyconfusedyourmind。
Youweresearchingprobablyfortheweaponfromwhichhehadfiredthebullet。YoudidnotrealisethathewouldnaturallyhavetakenitwithhimandthrownitsomewhereintoaravineorriverbesidetherailwaytrackbetweenhereandVenice。Howcouldyouthinkforamomentthathewouldleaveitbehindhim，hereinhisroom，ordroppedinthegarden？Butthiswasdoubtlessduetotheconfusionowingtoyoursuddenalarmandanxiety-aconfusionwhichpreventedyoufromrealisingthedangerofthetwopeculiarlyhungmirrorsinMr。Thorne’sroom。Theseshouldhavebeentakenawayatonce。Thismorningmysuddenappearanceatthegardengatepreventedyoufrommakinganexaminationoftheplaceofthemurder。Yourswoon，afterIhadspokentoyouinthebutler’sroom，showedmethatyouwerecarryingaburdentooheavyforyourstrength。Finally，thisafternoon，youdrovetothemaintelegraphofficeinthecity，asyouthoughtthatitwouldbesafertotelegraphMr。Thornefromthere。Yourtelegramwasverycleverlywritten。Butyoumighthavesparedthelastsentence，therequestthatMr。ThorneshouldgettheViennesepapersoftheselastdays。Believeme，hehasalreadyreadthesepapers。Whocouldbemoreinterestedinwhattheyhavetotellthanhe？"
ThehousekeeperhadsatasiffrozentostoneduringMuller’slongspeech。Herfacewasashenandhereyeswildwithhorror。Whenthedetectiveceasedspeaking，therewasdeadsilenceintheroomforsometime。FinallyMullerasked："Isthiswhathappened？"Hisvoicewascuttingandtheglanceofhiseyeskeenandsharp。
Mrs。Bernauertrembled。Herheadsankonherbreast。Mullerwaitedamomentmoreandthenhesaidquietly："Thenitistrue。"
"Yes，itistrue，"cametheanswerinalowhoarsetone。
Againtherewassilenceforanappreciableinterval。
"Ifyouhadbeenfaithfultoyourmistressaswell，ifyouhadnotspieduponherandbetrayedhertoherhusband，allthismightnothavehappened，"continuedthedetectivepitilessly，addingwithabittersmile："Anditwasnotevenacaseofsinfullove。YourmistresshadnosuchrelationswiththisWinklerasyou-Isaythistoexcuseyou-seemedtobelieve。"
AdeleBernauersprangup。"Idonotneedthisexcuse，"shecried，tremblinginexcitement。"Idonotneedanyexcuse。WhatIhavedoneIdidafterdueconsiderationandintherealisationthatitwasabsolutelynecessarytodoit。NeverforonemomentdidI
believethatmymistresswasuntruetoherhusband。NeverforonemomentcouldIbelievesuchanevilthingofher，forIknewhertobeanangelofgoodness。Awomanwhoisdeceivingherhusbandisnotasunhappyasthispoorladyhasbeenformonths。Awomandoesnotwritetoasuccessfulloverwithsomuchsorrow，withsomanytears。IhadlongsuspectedthesemeetingsbeforeIdiscoveredthem，butIknewthatthesemeetingshadnothingwhatevertodowithlove。BecauseIknewthis，andonlybecauseIknewit，didI
tellmymasteraboutthem。Iwantedhimtoprotecthiswife，tofreeherfromthewretchwhohadobtainedsomepoweroverher，I
knewnothow。"
"Ah！thenthatwasit？"exclaimedMuller，andhiseyessoftenedashelookedatthesobbingwomanwhohadsunkbackintoherchair。
Helaidhishandonhercoldfingersandcontinuedgently："Thenyouhavereallydoneright，youhavedoneonlywhatwasyourduty。
Ipityyoudeeplythatyou-"
"ThatIhavebroughtsuspicionuponmymasterbymyownfoolishness？"
shefinishedthesentencewithapitifullysadsmile。"IfIcouldhavecontrolledmyself，couldhavekeptcalm，nobodywouldhavehadathoughtorasuspicionthathe-mypet，mydarling-thatitwashewhowasforced，throughsometerriblecircumstanceofwhichIdonotknow，tofreehiswife，inthismanner，fromthewretchwhopersecutedher。"
Mrs。Bernauerwrungherhandsandgazedwithdespairingeyesatthemanwhosatbeforeher，himselfdeeplymoved。
Againtherewasalongsilence。Mullercouldnotfindawordtocomforttheweepingwoman。Therewasnolongerangerinhisheart，nothingbutthedeepestpity。Hetookouthishandkerchiefandwipedawaythedropsthatweredimminghisowneyes。
"YouknowthatIwillhavetogotoVenice？"heasked。
Mrs。Bernauersprangup。"Officially？"shegasped，paletoherlips。
Henodded。"Yes，officiallyofcourse。ImustmakeareportatoncetoheadquartersaboutwhatIhavelearned。Youcanimagineyourselfwhatthenextstepswillbe。"
Herdeepsighshowedhimthatsheknewaswellashe。Inthesamesecond，however，athoughtshotthroughherbrain，changingherwholeking。Herpalefaceglowed，herdulledeyesshotfire，andthefingerswithwhichsheheldMuller’shandtightlyclasped，weresuddenlyfeverishlyhot。
"Andyou-youarestilltheonlypersonwhoknowsthetruth？"shegaspedinhisear。
Thedetectivenodded。"Andyouthoughtyoumightsilenceme？"heaskedcalmly。"Thatwillnotbeeasy-foryoucanimaginethatI
didnotcomeunarmed。"
AdeleBernauersmiledsadly。"IwouldtakeeventhiswaytosaveHerbertThornefromdisgrace，ifIthoughtthatitcouldbesuccessful，andifIhadnotthoughtofamilderwaytosilenceamanwhocannotbeamillionaire。Ihaveservedinthishouseforthirty-twoyears，IhavebeentreatedwithsuchgenerositythatI
havebeenabletosavealmosteverycentofmywagesformyoldage。Withtheinterestthathasrolledup，mylittlefortunemustamounttonearlyeightthousandgulden。Iwillgladlygiveittoyou，ifyouwillbutkeepsilence，ifyouwillnottellwhatyouhavediscovered。"Shespokegaspinglyandsankdownonherkneesbeforeshehadfinished。
"AndMr。Thornealso-"shecontinuedhastily，asshesawnosignofinterestinMuller’scalmface。Thenhervoicefailedher。
Thedetectivelookeddownkindlyonhergreyhairsandanswered：
"No，no，mygoodwoman;thatwon’tdo。Onecannotconcealonecrimebycommittinganother。Imyselfwouldnaturallynotlistentoyoursuggestionforamoment，butIamalsoconvincedthatMr。
Thorne，towhomyouaresodevoted，andwho，Iacknowledge，pleasedmetheveryfirstsightIhadofhim-Iamconvincedthathewouldnotagreeforamomenttoanysuchsolutionoftheproblem。"
"ThenIcanonlyhopethatyouwillnotfindhiminVenice，"
repliedMrs。Bernauer，withutterdespairinhervoiceandeyes。
"IamnotatallcertainthatIwillfindhiminVenicewhenI
leavehereto-morrowmorning，"saidMullercalmly。
"Oh！thenyoudon’twanttofindhim！OhGod！howgood，howinexpressiblygoodyouare，"stammeredthewoman，seizingatsomevaguehopeinherdistraughtheart。
"No，youaremistakenagain，Mrs。Bernauer。IwillfindMr。Thornewhereverhemaybe。ButImayarriveinVenicetoolatetomeethimthere。Hemayalreadybeonhiswayhome。"
"Onhiswayhome？"criedthehousekeeperinterror，staggeringwhereshestood。
Mullerledhergentlytoachair。"Sitdownhereandlistentomecalmly。ThisiswhatImean。IfMr。ThornehasseeninthepapersthatamanhasbeenarrestedandaccusedofthemurderofLeopoldWinkler，thenhewilltakethenexttrainbackandgivehimselfuptotheauthorities。Thathemakesnosuchmoveaslongashethinksthereisnosuspiciononanyoneelse，nopossibilitythatanyoneelsecouldsuffertheconsequencesofhisdeed-isquitecomprehensible-itisonlynaturalandhuman。"
AdeleBernauersigheddeeplyagainandheavytearsrandownhercheeks，instrangecontrasttotheghostofasmilethatpartedherlipsandshoneinherdimmedeyes。
"YouknowhimbetterthanIdo，"shemurmuredalmostinaudibly，"youknowhimbetterthanIdo，andIhaveknownhimforsolong。"
AmomentlaterMullerhadpartedfromthehousekeeperwithawarm，sincerepressureofthehand。
"LieutenantTheobaldLeiningwashereonavisittohissisterlastMarch，wasn’the？"thedetectiveaskedasFranzledhimoutofthegate。
"Yes，sir;theLieutenantwasherejustaboutthattime，"answeredtheoldman。
Andhelefthereonthe16thofMarch？"
"Onthe16th？Why，itmayhavebeen-yes，itwasthe16th-thatisourlady’sbirthday。Hewentawaythatday。"Franzbowedafarewelltothisstrangerwhobegantoappearuncannyinhiseyes，andshuttingthegatecarefullyhereturnedtothehouse。
"Whatdoesthemanwantanyway？"hemurmuredtohimself，shiveringinvoluntarily。WithoutknowingwhyheturnedhisstepstowardsMrs。
Bernauersroom。Heopenedthedoorhesitatinglyasifafraidofwhathemightseethere。Hewouldnothavebeenatallsurprisedifhehadfoundthehousekeeperfaintingonthefloorasbefore。
Butshewasnotfaintingthistime。Shewasverymuchalive，for，toFranz’sgreatastonishment，shewasbusiedatthepackingofavalise。
"Areyougoingawaytoo？"askedFranz。Mrs。Bernaueransweredinavoicethatwasdullwithweariness："Yes，Franz，Iamgoingaway。
Willyoupleaselookupthetime-tablesoftheSouthernrailroadandletmeknowwhenthemorningexpressleaves？Andpleaseorderacabintimeforit。Iwilldependuponyoutolookafterthehouseinmyabsence。YoucanimaginethatitmustbesomethingveryimportantthattakesmetoVenice。"
"ToVenice？Why，whatareyougoingtoVenicefor？"
"Nevermindaboutthat，Franz，buthelpmetopraythatImaygetthereintime。"
Shealmostpushedtheoldmanoutofthedoorwiththeselastwordsandshutandlockeditbehindhim。
Shewantedtobealonewiththishideousfearthatwasclutchingatherheart。ForitwasnottoFranzthatshecouldtellthethoughtsthatcametoherlipsnowasshesankdown，wringingherhands，beforeapictureoftheMadonna："OhHolyVirgin，MotherofourLord，pleadforme！letmebewithmydearmistresswhentheterribletimecomesandtheytakeherhusbandawayfromher，or，ifpreferringdeathtodisgrace，heendshislifebyhisownhand！"
CHAPTERXI
INTHEPOLICECOURT
CommissionerVonRiedausatathisdesklatethatevening，finishingupsomeimportantpapers。Thequietofanundisturbednightwatchhadsettleddownonthebusypolicestation。Anoccasionallowmurmurofwhisperingvoicesfloatedupfromtheguardroombelow，butotherwisethestillnesswasbrokenonlybythescratchingofthecommissioner’spenandtherustleofthepaperasheturnedtheleaves。Itwasasilencesocompletethatalightsteponthestairoutsideandthegentleturningofthedoorknobwashearddistinctlyandthecommissionerlookedupwithalmostastarttoseewhowascomingtohisroomsolate。
JosephMullerstoodintheopendoor，awaitinghischief’sofficialrecognition。
"Oh！it’syou，Muller。Solate？Comein。Anythingnew？"askedthecommissioner。"Haveyousucceededindrawingaconfessionfromthatstubborntrampyet？You’vebeeninterviewinghim，Itakeit？"
"Yes，IhadalongtalkwithJohannKnollto-day。"
"Well，thatoughttohelpmattersalong。Hasheconfessed？Whatcouldyougetoutofhim？"
"Nothing，oralmostnothingmorethanhetoldushereinthestation，sir。
"Theman’sincrediblystubborn，"saidthecommissioner。"Ifhecouldonlybemadetounderstandthatafreeconfessionwouldbenefithimmorethananyoneelse！Well，don’tlooksodown-castaboutit，Muller。Thisthingisgoingtotakelongerthanwethoughtatfirstforsuchasimpleaffair。Butit’sonlyaquestionoftimeuntilthemancomestohissenses。You’llgethimtotalksoon。Youalwaysdo。Andevenifyoushouldfailhere，thismatterisnotsoveryimportant，whenwethinkofalltheotherthingsyouhavedone。"
Muller，standingfrontofthedesk，shookhisheadsadly。
"ButIhaven’tfailedhere，sir。More’sthepity，Ihadalmostsaid。"
"What！"Thecommissionerlookedupinsurprise。"Ithoughtyoujustsaidthatyoucouldn’tgetanythingmoreoutoftheaccused。"
"Knollhastoldusallheknows，sir。HedidnotmurderLeopoldWinkler。"
"Hmph！"Thecommissioner’sexclamationhadatouchofacidityinit。"Then，ifhedidn’tmurderhim，whodid？"
"HerbertThorne，painter，livingintheThornemansioninB。Street，Hietzing，nowinVenice，HotelDanieli。Iaskforawarrantforhisarrest，sir，andorderstostartforVeniceontheearlymorningexpressto-morrow。"
"Muller！……whatthedeucedoesallthismean？"Thecommissionersprangup，hisfaceflushingdeeplyasheleanedoverthedeskstaringatthesadquietfaceofthelittlemanopposite。"Whatareyoutalkingabout？Whatdoesallthismean？"
"Itmeans，sir，thatwenowknowwhocommittedthemurderinHietzing。JohannKnollisinnocentofanythingmorethanthetheftconfessedbyhimself。Hetookthepurseandwatchfromthesenselessformofthejustmurderedman。Thebodywaswarmandstillsuppleandthetrampsupposedthevictimtobemerelyintoxicated。Hisstorywasineveryrespecttrue，sir。"
Thecommissionerflushedstilldeeper。"Andwhodoyousaymurderedthisman？"
"HerbertThorne，sir。
"ButThome！Iknowofhim……haveevenaslightpersonalacquaintancewithhim。Thorneisarichman，ofexcellentfamily。
WhyshouldhemurderandrobanobscureclerklikethisWinkler？"
"Hedidnotrobhimsir，Knolldidthat。"
"Oh，yes。ButwhyshouldThornecommitmurderonthismanwhoscarcelytouchedhislifeatanypoint……It’sincredible！
Muller！Muller！areyousureyouarenotlettingyourimaginationrunawaywithyouagain？Itisaseriousthingtomakesuchanaccusationagainstanyman，muchlessagainstamaninThorne’sposition。Areyousureofwhatyouaresaying？"Thecommissioner’sexcitementrenderedhimalmostinarticulate。Theshockofthesurpriseoccasionedbythedetective’swordsproducedafeelingofirritation……aphenomenonnotunusualinthemindsofworthybutpedanticmenofaffairswhenconfrontedbyastartlingnewthought。
"IamquitesureofwhatIamsaying，sir。Ihavejustheardtheconfessionofonewhomightbecalledanaccompliceofthemurderer。"
"Itisincredible……incredible！Anaccompliceyousay？……whoisthisaccomplice？MightitnotbesomeonewhohasagrudgeagainstThorne-someonewhoistryingtopurposelymisleadyou？"
"Iamnotsoeasilydeceivedormisled，sir。EveryevidencepointstoThorne，andtheconfessionIhavejustheardwasmadebyawomanwholoveshim，whohaslovedandcaredforhimfromhisbabyhood。
Thereisnottheslightestdoubtofit，sir。"
Mullermovedastepnearerthedesk，gazingfirmlyintheeyesoftheexcitedcommissioner。Thesadnessonthedetective’sfacehadgivenwaytoagleamofpridethatflushedhissallowcheekandbrightenedhisgreyeyes。ItwasoneofthoseraremomentswhenMullerallowedhimselfafeelingoftriumphinhisownpower，inspiteofofficialsubordinationandyearsofhabit。HisslightframeseemedtogrowtallerandbroaderashefacedtheChiefwithanairofquietdeterminationthatmadehimatoncemasterofthesituation。Hisvoicewasaslowaseverbutittookonakeenincisivenotethatcompelledattention，ashecontinued："HerbertThorneisthemurdererofLeopoldWinkler。Nowthatheknowsaninnocentmanisunderaccusationforhisdeeditisonlyaquestionoftimebeforehewillcomehimselftoconfess。Hewilldoubtlessmakethisconfessiontome，ifIgotoVenicetoseehim，andtobringhimbacktotrial。"
Thecommissionercoulddoubtnolonger。Pedanticthoughhewas，CommissionervonRiedaupossessedsufficientinsighttoknowthetruthwhenitwaspresentedtohimwithsuchconviction，andalsosufficientinsighttohaverecognisedthegiftsofthemanbeforehim。"Butwhy……why？"hemurmured，sinkingbackintohischair，andshakinghisheadinbewilderment。
"Winklerwasamiserablescoundrel，sir，ablackmailer。Thornedidonlywhatanydecentmanwouldhavefeltlikedoinginhisplace。
Butjusticemustbedone。"
Muller’selationvanishedandadeepsighwelledupfromhisheart。
Thecommissionernoddedslowly，andglancedacrossthedeskalmosttimidly。Thiscasehadappearedtobesosimple，andsuddenlythehiddendeepsofadarkmysteryhadopenedbeforehim，deepsalreadysoundedbythelittlemanherewhohadgonesoquietlyabouthisworkwhiletheofficialpolice，representedinthiscasebyCommissionervonRiedauhimself，hadsatcalmlywaitingforaninnocentmantoconfesstoacrimehehadnotcommitted！Itwashumiliating。Thecommissionerflushedagainandhiseyessanktothefloor。
"Tellmewhatyouknow，Muller，"hesaidfinally。
MullertoldthestoryofhisexperiencesintheThornemansion，toldoftheslightclueswhichledhimtotakeaninterestinthehouseanditsinmates，untilfinallythetruthbegantoglimmerupoutofthedepths。Thecommissionerlistenedwitheagerinterest。
"Thenyoubelievedthiselaborateyarntoldbythetramp？"heinterruptedonce，atthebeginningofthenarrative。
"Why，yes，sir，justbecauseitwassoelaborate。AmanlikeKnollwouldnothavehadthemindtoinventsuchastory。Itmusthavebeentrue，onthefaceofit。"
Thecommissioner’seyessankagain，andhedidnotspeakuntilthedetectivehadreachedtheendofhisstory。Thenheopenedadrawerinhisdeskandtookoutabundleofofficialblank-forms。
"Itiswonderful！Wonderful！Muller，thiscasewillgoonrecordasoneofyourfinestachievements-andwethoughtitwassosimple"Oh，indeed，sir，chancefavouredmeateveryturn，"repliedMullermodestly。
"Thereisnosuchthingaschance，"saidthecommissioner。"Wemightaswellbehonestwithourselves。Anyonemighthaveseen，doubtlessdidsee，allthethingsyousaw，butnooneelsehadtheinsighttorecognisetheirvalue，northeskilltofollowthemuptosuchaconclusion。Butit’sasadcase，asadcase。Ineverwroteawarrantwithaheavierheart。Thorneisatrue-heartedgentleman，whilethescoundrelhekilled……"
"Yes，sir，Ifeelthatwayaboutitmyself。IcanconfessnowthattherewasonemomentwhenIwasreadyto-well，justtosaynothing。
"Andletusblunderoninourofficialstupidityandblindness？"
interruptedthecommissioner，afaintsmilebreakingthegravityofhisface。"Wecertainlygaveyoueveryopportunity。"
"Butthere’saninnocentmanaccused-sufferingfearofdeath-justicemustbedone。But，sir，"Mullertookthewarrantthecommissionerhandedacrossthetabletohim。"MayInotmakeitaseasyasIcanforMr。Thorne-Imean，bringhimherewithaslittlepublicityaspossible？HiswifeiswithhiminVenice。"
"Poorlittlewoman，it’sterrible！Dowhateveryouthinkbest，Muller。You’reaqueermixture。Hereyou’vehoundedthismandown，followedhotonhistrailwhennotasoulbutyourselfconnectedhiminanywaywiththemurder。Andnowyou’resorryforhim！A
softheartlikeyoursisadangerouspossessionforapolicedetective，Muller。It’snoaidtoourbusiness。"
"No，sir，Iknowthat。"
"Welltakecareitdoesn’trunawaywithyouthistime。Don’tletHerbertThorneescape，howevermuchpityyoumayfeelforhim。"
"Idoubtifhe’llwanttosir，aslongasanotherisinprisonforhiscrime。
"Buthemaymakehisconfessionandthentrytoescapethedisgrace。"
"Yes，sir，I’vethoughtofthat。That’swhyIwanttogotoVenicemyself。Andthen，there’sthepooryoungwife，hemustthinkofherwhenthedesirecomestoendhisownlife……"
"Yes！Yes！Thisterriblethinghasshakenusbothupmorethanalittle。Ifeelexhausted。Youlooktiredyourself，Muller。Gohomenow，andgetsomerestforyourearlystart。Good-night。"
"Good-night，sir。"
CHAPTERXII
ONTHELIDO
AWonderfullybeautifulnightlayoverthefairoldcityofVenicewhentheNorthernExpressthunderedoverthelongbridgetotherailwaystation。Apassengerwhowasaloneinasecond-classcompartmentstooduptocollecthisfewbelongings。Suddenlyhelookedupasheheardavoice，avoicewhichhehadlearnedtoknowonlyveryrecently，callingtohimfromthedoorofthecompartment。
"Why！youwereinthetraintoo？YouhavecometoVenice？"
exclaimedJosephMullerinastonishmentashesawMrs。Bernauerstandingtherebeforehim。
"Yes，IhavecometoVenicetoo。Imustbewithmydearlady-when-whenHerbert-"Shehadbegunquitecalmly，butshedidnotfinishhersentence，forloudsobsdrownedthewords。
"Youwereinthenextcompartment？Whydidn’tyoucomeinherewithme？Itwouldhavemadethisjourneyshorterforbothofus。"
"Ihadtobealone，"saidthepalewomanandthensheadded："I
onlycametoyounowtoaskyouwhereImustgo。"
"IthinkwetwohadbettergototheHotelBauer。Letmearrangethingsforyou。Mrs。Thornemustnotseeyouuntilshehasbeenpreparedforyourcoming。Iwillarrangethatwithherhusband。"
Thetwotookeachother’shands。Theyhadwonrespectandsympathyforeachother，thisquietmanwhowentsorelentlesslyandyetsopityinglyabouthisdutyintheinterestofjustice-andthedevotedwomanwhosefaithfulnesshadbroughtaboutsuchatragedy。
Thetrainhadnowenteredtherailwaystation。MullerandMrs。
BernauerstoodafewminuteslateronthebanksoftheGrandCanalandentered，oneofthemanygondolaswaitingthere。Themoonglancedbackfromthesurfaceofthewaterbrokenintoripplesundertheoarsofthegondoliers;itshonewithamagiccharmontheoldpalacesthatstoodknee-deepinthelagoons，andthrewheavyshadowsoverthenarrowwater-roadsonwhichthelittledarkboatsglidedsilentlyforward。InmostofthegondolascomingfromthestationexcitedvoicesandexclamationsofdelightbrokethecalmofthemoonliteveningasthetouristsrejoicedinthebeautythatisVenice。
ButinthegondolainwhichMullerandMrs。Bernauersattherewasdeepsilence，silencebrokenonlybyasobbingsighthatnowandthenburstfromtheheartofthehaggardwoman。TherewerefewtravellersenteringVeniceononeofitsworld-famousmoonlitnightswhoweresosadatheartaswerethesetwo。
AndtherewerefewtravellersinVeniceasheavyheartedaswasthemanwhonextmorningtookoneoftheearliestboatsouttotheLido。
MullerandMrs。Bernauerwereonthesameboatwatchinghimfromahiddencorner。Thewoman’ssadeyesgazedyearninglyatthehaggardfaceofthetallmanwhostoodlookingovertherailingofthelittlesteamer。Herowntearscameasshesawthegloomintheonceshininggreyeyesshelovedsowell。
MullerstoodbesideMrs。Bernauer。Hiseyestoo，keenandquick，followedHerbertThorneashestoodbytherailorpacedrestlesslyupanddown;hisfacetooshowedpityandconcern。HealsosawthatThorneheldinhishandabundleofnewspaperswhichwerestillenclosedintheirmailingwrappers。Thepaperswerepressedinaconvulsivegripoftheartist’slongslenderfingers。
MullerknewthenthatThornehadnotyetlearnedofthearrestofJohannKnoll。Attheveryearliest，Thursday’spapers，whichbroughtthenews，couldnotreachhimbeforeFridaymorning。Butthesenewspapers（MullersawthattheywereGermanpapers）werestillintheirwrappings。TheywereprobablyViennesepapersforwhichhehadtelegraphedandwhichhadjustarrived。Hisanxietyhadnotallowedhimtoreadtheminthepresenceofhiswife。HehadsoughtthesolitudeofearlymorningontheLido，thathemightlearn，unobserved，whatterrorsfatehadinstoreforhim。
ItwasdoubtlessMrs。Bernauer’stelegramwhichcausedhispresentanxiety，atelegramwhichhadreachedhimonlythenightbeforewhenhereturnedwithhiswifefromanexcursiontoTorcello。Ithadcausedhimasleeplessnight，forithadbroughttherealisationthathisfaithfulnursesuspectedthetruthaboutthemurderinthequietlane。Thetelegramhadreadasfollows："Havedrawnmoneyandsenditatonce。Furtherjourneyprobablynecessary，visitorinhouseto-day。Connectedwithoccurrencein-Street。PleasereadViennesepapers。NewsandordersformepleasesendtoaddressA。B。
GeneralPostoffice。"
ThistelegramtoldHerbertThornethetruth。Andthepaperswhicharrivedthismorningweretotellhimmore-whathedidnotyetknow。ButhisheartwasdrawnwithterrorswhichthrewlinesinhisfaceandmadehimlooktenyearsolderthanonthatTuesdaymorningwhenthedetectivesawhimsettingoutonhisjourneywithhiswife。
WhentheboatlandedattheLido，Thornewalkedoffdowntheroadwhichledtotheoceanside。MullerandMrs。Bernauerenteredthewaitingtramwaythattooktheminthesamedirection。Theydismountedinfrontofthebathingestablishment，steppedbehindagroupofbushesandwaitedthereforThorne。Inabouttenminutestheysawhistallfigurepassingontheothersideoftheroad。Hewaswalkingdowntothebeach，holdingthestillunopenedpapersinhishand。
AnarrowstripofparkrunsalongparalleltothebeachinthedirectiontowardsMalaMocco。MullerandMrsBernauerwalkedalongthroughthisparkonthepathwhichwasnearestthewater。Thedetectivewatchedtherapidlymovingfigureaheadofthem，whilethewoman’stear-dimmedeyesveiledeverythingelsetoherbutthepathalongwhichherwearyfeethastened。Thornehaltedabouthalfwaybetweenthebathingestablishmentandthecustomsbarracks，lookedaroundtoseeifhewerealoneandthrewhimselfdownonthesand。
Hehadchosenagoodplace。Totherightandtotheleftwerehighsanddunes，beforehimwasthebroadsurfaceoftheocean，andathisbackwasrisingground，baresandwithhereandthereascragglybushoragroupofhighthistles。HerbertThornebelievedhimselftobealonehere……asfarasamancanbealoneoverwhomhangstheshadowofacrime。Hegroanedaloudandhidhispalefaceinhishands。
Inhisowndistresshedidnothearthedeepsigh-which，justabovehimontheedgeoftheknoll，brokefromthebreastofawomanwhowassufferingscarcelylessthanhe;hedidnotknowthattwopairofsadeyeslookeddownuponhim。Andnowintotheeyesofthewatchingwomanthereshotagleamofterror。ForHerbertThornehadtakenarevolverfromhispocketandlaiditquietlybesidehim。
Thenhetookoutanotebookandapencilandplacedthembesidetheweapon。Thenslowly，reluctantly，heopenedoneofthepapers。
Alightbreezefromtheshiningseabeforehimcarriedoffthewrapping。Thepaperwhichheopenedshookinhistremblinghands，ashiseyessoughtthereportsofthemurder。Hegaveasuddenstartandatremorranthroughhisframe。Hehadcometothespotwhichtoldofthearrestofanotherman，whowasundershadowofpunishmentforthecrimewhichhehimselfhadcommitted。Whenhehadreadthisreportthrough，heturnedtotheotherpapers。Hewasquitecalmnow，outwardlycalmatleast。
Whenhehadfinishedreadingthepapershelaidtheminaheapbesidehimandreachedoutforhisnotebook。Asheopeneditthetwowatcherssawthatbetweenitsfirstpagestherewasasealedandaddressedletter。Twootherenvelopeswerecontainedinthenotebook，envelopeswhichwerealsoaddressedalthoughstillopen。
Muller’ssharpeyescouldreadtheaddressesasThornetookthemupinturn，lookinglongateachofthem。OneenvelopewasaddressedinItaliantotheChiefofPoliceofVenice，theothertotheChiefofPoliceinVienna。
Thetwowatchersleanedforward，scarcelythreeyardsabovethemaninwhomtheywereinterested。Thornetoreouttwoleavesofhisnotebookandwroteseverallinesoneachofthem。Onenote，heplacedintheenvelopeaddressedtotheViennesepoliceandsealeditcarefully。Thenheputthesealedletterwiththesecondnoteintheotherenvelope，theoneaddressedtotheItalianpolice。Heputallthelettersbackinhisnotebook，holdingittogetherwitharubberstrap，andreplaceditinhispocket。
Thenhestretchedouthishandtowardtherevolver。
Thesandcamerattlingdownuponhim，thethistlesbentovercreakinglyandtwofiguresappearedbesidehim。
"There’stimeenoughforthatyet，Mr。Thorne，"saidthemanatwhomthepaintergazedupinbewilderment。Andthenthismantooktherevolverquietlyfromhishandandhiditinhisownpocket。
Thornepressedhisteethdownonhislipsuntilthebloodcame。Hecouldnotspeak;helookedfirstatthestrangerwhohadmasteredhimsocompletely，andthen，indazedastonishment，atthewomanwhohadsunkdownbesidehiminthesand，claspinghishandinbothofhers。
"Adele！Adele！’Whyareyouhere？"hestammeredfinally。
"Iwanttobewithyou-inthishour，"sheanswered，lookingathimwitheyesofworship。"Iwanttobewithmydearlady-tocomforther-toprotectherwhen-when-"
"Whentheyarrestme？"Thornefinishedthesentencehimself。ThenturningtoMullerhecontinued："Andthatiswhyyouarehere？"
"Yes，Mr。Thorne。Ihaveawarrantforyourarrestinmypocket。
ButIthinkitwillbeunnecessarytomakeuseofitinthecustomaryofficialwaythroughtheauthoritieshere。Iseethatyouhavewrittentobothpolicestations-confessingyourdeed。
Thiswillamounttoavoluntarygivingupofyourselftotheauthorities，thereforeallthatisnecessaryisthatIreturnwithyouinthesametrainwhichtakesyoutoVienna。ButImustaskyouforthosetwoletters，foruntilyouyourselfgivethemtothepoliceauthoritiesinmypresence，itismydutytokeepthem。"
Mullerhadseldomfoundhisofficialdutyasdifficultasitwasnow。Hiswordscamehaltinglyandgreatdropsstoodoutonhisforehead。
Thepainterrosefromthesandandhetoowipedhisface，whichwasdrawninagony。
"Herbert，Herbert！"criedAdeleBernauersuddenly。"Oh，Herbert，youwilllive，youwill！Promiseme，youwillnotthinkofsuicide，itwouldkillyourwife-"
Shelayonherkneesbeforehiminthesand。Helookeddownathergentlyandwithagesturewhichseemedtobeafamiliaroneofdayslongpast，hestrokedthefacethathadgrownoldandworninthesehoursoffearforhim。
"Yes，youdeargoodsoul，Iwillliveon，Iwilltakeuponmyselfmypunishmentforkillingascoundrel。Thepoormanwhomtheyhavearrestedinmyplacemustnotlingerinthefearofdeath。Iamready，sir。
"MynameisMuller-detectiveMuller。"
"JosephMuller，thefamousdetectiveMuller？"askedThornewithasadsmile。"IhavehadlittletodowiththepolicebutbychanceIhaveheardofyourfame。Imighthaveknown;theytellmeyouareonefromwhomthetruthcanneverremainhidden。"
"Mydutyisnotalwaysaneasyone，"saidMuller。
"Thankyou。Disposeofmeasyouwill。Idonotwishanyprivilegesthatotherswouldnothave，Mr。Muller。HereismywrittenconfessionandhereamImyself。Shallwego。now？"
HerbertThornehandedthedetectivehisnotebookwithitsimportantcontentsandthenwalkedslowlybackalongtheroadhehadcome。
Mullerwalkedalittlebehindhim，whileMrs。Bernauerwasathisside。Asindayslongpast，theywalkedhandinhand。
WitheyesfullofpityMullerwatchedthem，andheheardThornegivehisoldnurseordersforthecareofhiswife。ShewastotakeMrs。ThornetoGraztoherfather，thentoreturnherselftoViennaandtakecareofthehouseasusual，untilhisattorneycouldsettleuphisaffairsandselltheproperty。ForThornesaidthatneitherhenorhiswifewouldeverwanttosetfootinthehouseagain。Hespokecalmly，hethoughtofeverything-hethoughtevenofthepossibilitythathemighthavetopaythedeathpenaltyforhisdeed。
Forwhocouldtellhowtheauthoritieswouldjudgethismurder？
Ithadindeedbeenamurderbymerestchanceonly。Thornetoldhisoldnurseallaboutit。Whenshehadgivenhimthesignalhehadhurrieddownintothegarden，andwalkingquietlyalongthepath，hehadfoundhiswifeatthegardengateinconversationwithamanwhowasastrangertohim。Thatpartoftheirtalkwhichheoverheardtoldhimthatthemanwasablackmailer，andthathewasmakingmoneyonthefactthathehadcaughtTheobaldLeiningcheatingatcards。
ThischancehadputtheofficerintoWinkler’spower。Theclerkknewthathecouldgetnothingfromtheguiltymanhimself，sohehadturnedtothelatter’ssister，whowasrich，andhadthreatenedtobringaboutadisgracefulscandalifshedidnotpayforhissilence。Formorethanayearhehadbeengettingmoneyfromherbymeansofthesethreats。Allthiswasclearfromtheconversation。
Themanspokeintonesofimpertinence，orsneeringobsequiousness，thewomansvoiceshowedcontemptandhatred。
Thorne’sbloodbegantoboil。Hisfingerstightenedabouttherevolverwhichhehadbroughtwithhimtobereadyforanyemergency，andhesteppeddesignedlyuponatwigwhichbrokeunderhisfeetwithanoise。Hewantedtofrightenhiswifeandsendherbacktothehouse。Thiswaswhatdidoccur。Buttheblackmailerwasalarmedaswellandfledhastilyfromthegardenwhenherealisedthathewasnotalonewithhisvictim。Thornefollowedtheman’sdisappearingfigure，callinghimtohalt。Hedidnotcallloudlyforhetoowantedtoavoidascandal。Hisintentionwastoforcethemantofollowhimintothehouse，togethiswrittenconfessionofblackmail-thentofinishhimoffwithalargesumonceforallandkickhimoutoftheplace。
InthismannerHerbertThornethoughttofreehimselfandhiswifefromthepersecutionsoftherascal。Hisheartwasfilledwithhatredtowardstheman。ForsinceMrs。Bernauerhadtoldhimwhatshehaddiscovered，heknewthatitwasbecauseofthiswretchthathisoncesohappywifewaslosingherstrength，herhealthandherpeaceofmind。
Hefollowedthefleeingmanandcalledtohimseveraltimestohalt。
FinallyWinklerhalfturnedandcalledoutoverhisshoulder："You’dbetterleavemealone！DoyouwantallViennatoknowthatyourbrother-in-lawoughttobeinjail？"
ThesewordsrobbedThorneofallcontrol。Hepressedthetriggerunderhisfingerandthebulletstruckthemanbeforehim，whohadturnedtocontinuehisflight，fullintheback。"AndthatishowIbecameamurderer。"WiththesewordsHerbertThorneconcludedhisnarrative。Heappearedquitecalmnow。Hewasreallycalmer，forthestrainofthedeed，whichwasjustifiedinhiseyes，wasnotsogreatuponhisconscienceashadbeenthestrainofthesecretofit。
Inhisowneyeshehadonlykilledabeastwhochancedtobeartheformofaman。Butofcourseintheeyesoftheworldthiswasamurderlikeanyother，andthemanwhohadcommitteditknewthathewasunderthebanofthelaw，thatitwasonlyachancethatthearmofjusticehadnotyetreachedoutforhim。Andnowthisarmhadreachedoutforhim，althoughitwasnolongernecessary。ForHerbertThornewasnotthemantoallowanothertosufferinhisstead。
Assoonasheknewthatanotherhadbeenarrestedandwasundersuspicionofthemurder，heknewthattherewasnothingmoreforhimbutopenconfession。Buthewishedtoavoidascandalevennow。
Ifhediedbyhisownhand，thenthefirstcauseofallthistrouble，hisbrother-in-law’srascality，couldstillbehidden。
ButnowhiscarewasallinvainandHerbertThorneknewthathemustsubmittotheinevitable。SidebysidewithhisoldfriendhesatonthedeckoftheboatthattookthembacktotheRivadeiSchiavoni。Mullersatatsomedistancefromthem。Thepalesad-facedwoman，andthepalesad-facedmanhadmuchtosaytoeachotherthatastrangermightnothear。
Whenthelittleboatreachedthelandingstage，therewerebutafewstepsmoretothedooroftheHotelDanieli。Fromabalconyonthefirstfloorayoungwomanstoodlookingdownontothecanal。
Shetoowaspaleandhereyeswereheavywithanxiety。Shehadbeenpaleandanxiouseventhen，thedaywhensheleftthebeautifuloldhouseinthequietstreet，tostartonthispleasuretriptoVenice。
Ithadbeennopleasuretriptoher。Shehadseenthechangeinherhusband，achangethatstruckdeepintohisverybeingandalteredhimineverythingexceptinhisloveandtendercareforher。"Oh，whyisit？whatisthematter？"sheaskedherselfathousandtimesaday。Coulditbepossiblethathehaddiscoveredthesecretwhichtorturedher，theonlysecretshehadeverhadfromhim，thesecretshehadlongedtoconfesstohimahundredtimesbuthadlackedcouragetodoit。
Forshehadsinneddeeplyagainstherhusband，sheknew。Herfearandherconfusionhaddrivenherdeeperanddeeperintothewatersofdeceituntilitwasimpossibleforhertofindthewordsthatwouldhavebroughthelpandcomfortfromthemanwhomshelovedmorethananythingelseintheworld。IntheveryearlieststagesofWinkler’spersecutionshehadlostherheadcompletelyandinsteadofconfessingtoherhusbandandaskingforhisaidandprotection，shehadpawnedtherichjewelswhichhadbeenhisweddingpresenttogetthemoneydemandedbytheblackmailer。Inherignoranceshehadthoughtthatthisonesumwouldsatisfyhim。
Buthecameagainandagain，demandingmoneywhichshesavedfromherpinmoney，fromherhouseholdallowance，thustakingwhatshehadintendedtousetoredeemherjewels。Thepledgewaslost，andherjewelsgoneforever。Fromnowon，Mrs。Thornelivedinaterrorwhichsappedherstrengthanddrankherlifeblooddropbydrop。Anyhourmightbringdiscovery，adiscoverywhichshefearedwouldshakeherhusband’sloveforher。Thepoorweaklittlewomangrewpaleandill。Shewrotefinallytoherstep-brother，buthecouldthinkofnowayout;hewroteonlythatifthemattercametoascandaltherewouldbenothingforhimtodobuttokillhimself。Thiswasonereasonmoreforhersilence，andMrs。Thomefadedtoawanshadowofherformersunnyself。
Asshelookeddownfromthebalcony，shewaslikeawomansufferingfromadeathlyillness。Anewterrorhadcometoherheartbecauseherhusbandhadgoneawaysoearlywithouttellingherwhyorwhitherhehadgone。Whenshesawhimcomingtowardsthedoorofthehotel，paleanddrooping，andwhenshesawMrs。Bernauerbesidehim，herheartseemedtostandstill。ShecreptbackfromthewindowandstoodinthemiddleoftheroomasHerbertThorneandhisformernurseentered。
"Whathashappened？"Thiswasallshecouldsayasshelookedintothedistraughtfaceofthehousekeeper，intoherhusband’ssadeyes。
Heledhertoachair，thenkneltbesideherandtoldherall。
"OutsidethedoorstandsthemanwhowilltakemebacktoVienna-andyou，mydearest，youmustgotoyourfather。"Heconcludedhisstorywiththesewords。
Shebentdownoverhimandkissedhim。"’No，Iamgoingwithyou，"
shesaidsoftly，strangelycalm;"whyshouldIleaveyounow？IsitnotIwhoamthecauseofthisdreadfulthing？"
Andthenshemadeherconfession，muchtoolate。Andshewentwithhim，backtothecityoftheirhome。Itseemedtothembothquitenaturalthatsheshoulddoso。
WhentheNorthernExpressrolledoutofVenicethatafternoon，threepeoplesattogetherinacompartment，thecurtainsofwhichweredrawnclose。Theyweretheunhappycoupleandtheirfaithfulservant。Andoutsideinthecorridoroftherailwaycarriage，asmall，slightmanwalkedupanddown-upanddown。Hehadpressedagoldcoinintotheconductor’shand，withthewords："Thepartyintheredonotwishtobedisturbed;theladyisill。"
HerbertThorne’strialtookplaceseveralweekslater。Everypossibleextenuatingcircumstancewasbroughttobearuponhissentence。Fiveyearsonlywastobethetermofhisimprisonment，hispunishmentforthecrimeofasinglemomentofanger。
Hiswifewaitedforhiminpatientlove。ShedidnotgotoGraz，butcontinuedtoliveintheoldmansionwiththemansardroof。
Herfatherwaswithher。ThebrotherTheobald，thecauseofallthissufferingtothosewhohadshieldedhimattheexpenseoftheirownhappiness，hadatlastdonetheonlygooddeedofhislife-hadputanendtohisuselessexistencewithhisownhand。
Fatheranddaughterwaitedpatientlyforthereturnofthemanwhohadsinnedandsufferedfortheirsake。Theyspokeofhimonlyintermsofthetenderestaffectionandrespect。
Andindeed，seldomhasanycondemnedmurderermetwiththerespectoftheentirecommunityasHerbertThornedid。Thetoneofthenewspapers，andpublicopinion，evincedbyhundredsoflettersfromfriends，acquaintances，andfromstrangers，wasagreatboontothesolitarymaninhiscell，andtothethreelovingheartsintheoldhouse。AndattheendoftwoyearstheclemencyoftheMonarchendedhistermofimprisonment，andHerbertThornewassetfree，astepwhichmetwiththeapprovaloftheentirecity。
Hereturnedtothehomewhereloveandaffectionawaitedhim，readytomakehimforgetwhathehadsuffered。Butthesilverthreadsinhisdarkhairandacertainquietseriousnessinhismanner，andintheheartsofallthedwellersintheoldmansion，showedthattheoccurrenceofthatfatal27thofSeptemberhadthrownashadowoverthemallwhichwasnottobeshakenoff。
JosephMullerbroughtmanyothercasestoasuccessfulsolution。
Butforyearsafterthisparticularcasehadbeenwon，hewasfollowed，asbyashadow，byamanwhowatchedoverhim，andwho，wheneverdangerthreatened，stoodoverthefraildetectiveasiftotaketheblowuponhimself。Heisacleverassistant，too，andnoonewhohadseenJohannKnollthedaythathewasputintothecellonsuspicionofmurderwouldhavebelievedthattheidletrampcouldbecomeagainsuchausefulmemberofsociety。ThesearethevictoriesthatJosephMullerconsidershisgreatest。