第4章

"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。