INTRODUCTIONTOJOEMULLER
JosephMuller，SecretServicedetectiveoftheImperialAustrianpolice，isoneofthegreatexpertsinhisprofession。Inpersonalityhediffersgreatlyfromotherfamousdetectives。HehasneithertheimpressiveauthorityofSherlockHolmes，northekeenbrilliancyofMonsieurLecoq。Mullerisasmall，slight，plain-lookingman，ofindefiniteage，andofmuchhumblenessofmien。Anaturallyretiring，modestdisposition，andtwoexternalcausesarethereasonsforMuller’shumblenessofmanner，whichishischiefcharacteristic。Onecauseisthefactthatinearlyyouthamiscarriageofjusticegavehimseveralyearsinprison，anexperiencewhichcastastigmaonhisnameandwhichmadeitimpossibleforhim，formanyyearsafter，toobtainhonestemployment。Buttheworldisricher，andsafer，byMuller’searlymisfortune。Foritwasthisexperiencewhichthrewhimbackonhisownpeculiartalentsforalivelihood，anddrovehimintothepoliceforce。Hadhebeenabletoenteranyotherprofession，hisgeniusmighthavebeenstuntedtoamerepastime，insteadofbeing，asnow，utilisedforthepublicgood。
Then，theredtapeandbureaucraticetiquettewhichattachestoeverygovernmentaldepartment，putsthesecretservicemenoftheImperialpoliceonaparwiththelowerranksofthesubordinates。
Muller’sofficialrankisscarcelymuchhigherthanthatofapoliceman，althoughkingsandcouncillorsconsulthimandthePoliceDepartmentrealisestothefullwhatatreasureithasinhim。Butofficialredtape，andhisearlymisfortune……preventthegivingofanyhigherofficialstandingtoevensuchagenius。
Bornandbredtosuchconditions，Mullerunderstandsthem，andhisnaturalmodestyofdispositionasksfornooutwardhonours，asksfornothingbutanincomesufficientforhissimpleneeds，andforaidandopportunitytooccupyhimselfinthewayhemostenjoys。
JosephMuller’scharacterisastrangemixture。Thekindest-heartedmanintheworld，heisahumanbloodhoundwhenoncethelureofthetrailhascaughthim。Hescarcelyeatsorsleepswhenthechaseison，hedoesnotseemtoknowhumanweaknessnorfatigue，inspiteofhisfrailbody。Onceputonacasehisminddelvesanddelvesuntilitfindsaclue，thensomethingawakeswithinhim，aspiritakintothatwhichholdsthebloodhoundnosetotrail，andhewillaccomplishtheapparentlyimpossible，hewilltrackdownhisvictimwhentheentiremachineryofagreatpolicedepartmentseemshelplesstodiscoveranything。
ThehighchiefsandcommissionersgrantacondescendingpermissionwhenMullerasks，"MayIdothis？……ormayIhandlethiscasethisway？"bothpartiesknowingallthewhilethatitisafarce，andthatthedepartmentwaitshelplessuntilthishumblelittlemansavesitshonourbysolvingsomeproblembeforewhichitsintricatemachineryhasstooddazedandpuzzled。
ThiscallofthetrailissomethingthatisstrongerthananythingelseinMuller’smentality，andnowandthenitbringshimintoconflictwiththedepartment，……orwithhisownbetternature。
Sometimeshisunerringinstinctdiscoverssecretsinhighplaces，secretswhichthePoliceDepartmentisbiddentohushupandleaveuntouched。Mulleristhentakenoffthecase，andleftidleforawhileifhepersistsinhisopinionastothetruefacts。Andatothertimes，Muller’sownwarmheartgetshimintotrouble。Hewilltrackdownhisvictim，drivenbythepowerinhissoulwhichisstrongerthanallvolition;butwhenhehasthisvictiminthenet，hewillsometimesdiscoverhimtobeamuchfiner，bettermanthantheotherindividual，whosewrongatthisparticularcriminal’shandsetinmotionthemachineryofjustice。SeveraltimesthathashappenedtoMuller，andeachtimehisheartgotthebetterofhisprofessionalinstincts，ofhispracticalcommon-sense，too，perhaps，……atleastasfarashisownadvancementwasconcerned，andhewarnedthevictim，defeatinghisownwork。ThispeculiarityofMuller’scharactercausedhisundoingatlast，hisofficialundoingthatis，andcompelledhisretirementfromtheforce。ButhisadviceisoftensoughtunofficiallybytheDepartment，andtothosewhoknow，Muller’shandcanbeseenintheunravellingofmanyafamouscase。
Thefollowingstoriesarebutafewofthemanyinterestingcasesthathavecomewithintheexperienceofthisgreatdetective。
ButtheygiveafairportrayalofMuller’speculiarmethodofworking，hislookingonhimselfasmerelyanhumblememberoftheDepartment，andthecomedyofhisactingunder"officialorders"
whentheDepartmentisinrealityfollowingouthisdirections。
THECASEOFTHELAMPTHATWENTOUT
byGraceIsabelColbronandAugustaGronerCHAPTERI
THEDISCOVERY
TheradianceofaclearSeptembermorninglayoverVienna。Theairwassopurethattheskyshoneinbrightestazureevenwherethecity’sbuildingsclusteredthickest。Ontheoutskirtsofthetowntheraysoftheawakeningsundancedincrystallineetherandstruckansweringgleamsfromthedewongrassandshrubinthemyriadgardensofthesuburbanstreets。
Itwasstillveryearly。Theold-fashionedsteepleclockonthechurchoftheHolyVirgininHietzinghadboomedoutsixslowstrokesbutashorttimeback。Anna，theprettyblondegirlwhocarriedoutthemilkforthedwellersinseveralstreetsofthisaristocraticresidentialsuburb，wasjustcomingaroundthecornerofthemainstreetintoaquietlane。Thislanecouldhardlybedignifiedbythenameofstreetasyet，itwassoveryquiet。Ithadbeenopenedandnamedscarcelyayearbackanditwasborderedmostlybyopengardensorfenced-inbuildinglots。Therewerefourhousesinthisstreet，twobytwooppositeeachother，andanother，anold-fashionedmanorhouse，lyingalmosthiddeninitsgreatgarden。Butthequietstreetcouldnotpresumetoownershipofthislasthouse，forthefrontofitopenedonaparallelstreet，whichgaveititsnumber。Onlythegardenhadagateasoutletontoourquietlane。
Annastoppedinfrontofthisgateandpulledthebell。Shehadtowaitforsomelittletimeuntilthegardener’swife，whoactedasjanitress，couldopenthedoor。ButAnnawasnotimpatient，forsheknewthatitwasquiteadistancefromthegardener’shouseinthecentreofthegreatstretchofparktothelittlegatewhereshewaited。Inafewmoments，however，thedoorwasopenedandapleasant-facedwomanexchangedafriendlygreetingwiththegirlandtookthecansfromher。
Annahastenedonwardwithherusualenergeticstep。Thefourhousesinthatstreetwerealreadyservedandshewasnowboundforthehomesofcustomersseveralsquaresaway。Thenherstepslowedjustabit。Shewasaquiet，thoughtfulgirlandthelovelypeaceofthisbrightmorningsankintoherheartandmadeherrejoiceinitsbeauty。Allaroundherthefoliagewasturninggentlytoitsautumngloryofcolouringandthedewdropsontherich-huedleavessparkledwithanunusualradiance。Athrushlookeddownatherfromaboughandbeganitsmorningsong。Annasmiledupatthelittlebirdandbeganherselftosingamerrytune。
Butsuddenlyhervoicediedaway，thecolourfadedfromherflushedcheeks，hereyesopenedwideandshestoodasifrivetedtotheground。Withadeepbreathasofunconsciousterrorshelettheburdenofthemilkcansdropgentlyfromhershouldertotheground。
Infollowingthebird’sflighthereyeshadwanderedtothesideofthestreet，totheedgeofoneofthevacantlots，therewhereashallowditchseparateditfromtheroadway。Anelder-tree，thegreatsizeofwhichattesteditsage，hungitsberry-ladenbranchesovertheditch。Andinfrontofthistreethebirdhadstoppedsuddenly，thenflutteredoffwiththequickmovementofthewildcreaturesurprisedbyfright。WhatthebirdhadseenwasthesamevisionthathaltedthesongonAnna’slipsandarrestedherfoot。
Itwasthebodyofaman-ayoungandwell-dressedman，wholaytherewithhisfaceturnedtowardthestreet。Andhisfacewasthewhitefrozenfaceofacorpse。
Annastoodstill，lookingdownathimforafewmoments，inwide-eyedterror：thenshewalkedonslowlyasiftryingtopullherselftogetheragain。Afewstepsandthensheturnedandbrokeintoarun。Whenshereachedtheendofthestreet，breathlessfromhasteandexcitement，shefoundherselfinoneofthemainarteriesoftrafficofthesuburb，butowingtotheearlyhourthisstreetwasalmostasquietasthelaneshehadjustleft。
Finallythefrightenedgirl’seyescaughtsightofthefigureofapolicemancomingaroundthenextcorner。Sheflewtomeethimandrecognisedhimastheofficerofthatbeat。
"Why，whatisthematter？"heasked。"Whyareyousoexcited？"
"Downthere-inthelane，there’sadeadman，"answeredthegirl，gaspingforbreath。
"Adeadman？"repeatedthepolicemangravely，lookingatthegirl。
"Areyousurehe’sdead？"
Annanodded。"HiseyesareallglassyandIsawbloodonhisback。"
"Well，you’reevidentlyverymuchfrightened，andIsupposeyoudon’twanttogodownthereagain。I’lllookintothematter，ifyouwillgotothepolicestationandmaketheannouncement。Willyoudoit？"
"Yes，sir。"
"Allright，then，thatwillgaintimeforus。Good-bye，MissAnna。"
Themanwalkedquicklydownthestreet，whilethegirlhurriedoffintheoppositedirection，tothenearestpolicestation，whereshetoldwhatshehadseen。
Thepolicemanreachedhisgoalevenearlier。Thefirstglancetoldhimthatthemanlyingtherebythewaysidewasindeedlifeless。
Andtheicystiffnessofthehandwhichhetouchedshowedhimthatlifemusthavefledmanyhoursback。Annahadbeenrightaboutthebloodalso。Thedeadmanlayonthefarthersideoftheditch，halfdownintoit。Hisrightarmwasbentunderhisbody，hisleftarmwasstretchedout，andthestiffenedfingers……theywereslenderwhitefingers……hadsoughtforsomethingtobreakhisfall。Alltheyhadfoundwasatallstemofwildasterwithitspurpleblossoms，whichtheywereholdingfastinthedeathgrip。Onthedeadman’sbackwasasmallbullet-woundandaroundtheedgesofithislightgreycoatwasstainedwithblood。Hisfacewasdistortedinpainandterror。Itwasaniceface，orwouldhavebeen，diditnotshowalltooplainlythemarksofdissipationinspiteofthefactthatthemancouldnothavebeenmuchpastthirtyyearsold。Hewasastrangertothepoliceman，althoughthelatterhadbeenonthisbeatforoverthreeyears。
Whentheguardianofthelawhadconvincedhimselfthattherewasnothingmoretodoforthemanwholaythere，herosefromhisstoopingpositionandsteppedback。Hisgazewanderedupanddownthequietlane，whichwasstillabsolutelyemptyofhumanlife。
Hestoodtherequietlywaiting，watchingovertheghastlydiscovery。
Inabouttenminutesthepolicecommissionerandthecoroner，followedbytworoundsmenwithalitter，joinedthesolitarywatcher，andthelattercouldreturntohispost。
Thepolicemensetdowntheirlitterandwaitedfororders，whilethecoronerandthecommissionerbentoverthecorpse。Therewasnothingforthephysiciantodobuttodeclarethattheunfortunatemanhadbeendeadformanyhours。Thebulletwhichstruckhiminthebackhadkilledhimatonce。Thecommissionerexaminedthegroundimmediatelyaroundthecorpse，butcouldfindnothingthatpointedtoastruggle。Thereremainedonlytoprovewhethertherehadbeenarobberyaswellasamurder。
"Judgingfromtheman’spositionthebulletmusthavecomefromthatdirection，"saidthecommissioner，pointingtowardsthecottagesdownthelane。
"Peoplewhoarekilledbybulletsmayturnseveraltimesbeforetheyfall，"saidagentlevoicebehindthepoliceofficer。Thevoiceseemedtosuitthethinlittlemanwhostoodtheremeekly，hishatinhishand。
Thecommissionerturnedquickly。"Ah，areyoutherealready，Muller？"hesaid，asifgreatlypleased，whilethephysicianbrokeinwiththeremark：
"That’sjustwhatIwasabouttoobserve。Thismandidnotdiesoquicklythathecouldnothavemadeavoluntaryorinvoluntarymovementbeforelifefled。Theshotthatkilledhimmighthavecomefromanydirection。"
Thecommissionernoddedthoughtfullyandtherewassilenceforafewmoments。Muller-forthelittlethinmanwasnoneotherthanthecelebratedJosephMuller，oneofthemostbrilliantdetectivesintheserviceoftheAustrianpolice-lookeddownatthecorpsecarefully……Hetookplentyoftimetodoitandnobodyhurriedhim。FornobodyeverhurriedMuller;hiswell-knownandalmostlaughablethoroughnessandpedantryweretoovaluableintheirresults。ItwasatraditioninthepolicethatMullerwastohaveallthetimehewantedforeverything。Itpaidintheend，forMullermadefewmistakes。Therefore，hissuperiorthepolicecommissioner，andthecoronerwaitedquietlywhilethelittlemanmadehisinspectionofthecorpse。
"Thankyou，"saidMullerfinally，withapolitebowtothecommissioner，beforehebenttobrushawaythedustonhisknees。
"Well？"askedCommissionerHolzer。
Mullersmiledanembarrassedsmileashereplied：
"Well……Ihaven’tfoundoutanythingyetexceptthatheisdead，andthathehasbeenshotintheback。Hispocketsmaytellussomethingmore。"
"Yes，wecanexaminethematonce，"saidthecommissioner。"I
havebeendelayingthatforIwantedyouhere;butIhadnoideathatyouwouldcomesosoon。Itoldthemtofetchyouifyouwereawake，butdoubtedyouwouldbe，forIknowyouhavehadnosleepforforty-eighthours。"
"Oh，Icansleep，atleastwithoneeye，whenI’monthechase，"
answeredthedetective。"Soit’sreallyonlytwenty-fourhours，yousee。"MullerhadjustreturnedfromtrackingdownanaristocraticswindlerwhomhehadfoundfinallyinalittleFrenchcityandhadbroughtbacktoaVienneseprison。HehadreturnedwellalonginthepastnightandHolzerknewthatthetiredmanwouldneedhisrest。StillhehadsentforMuller，wholivednearthepolicestation，forthegirl’sreporthadwarnedhimthatthiswasaseriouscase。AndinseriouscasesthepolicedidnotliketodowithoutMuller’shelp。
Andasusualwhenhisworkcalledhim，Mullerwasaswideawakeasifhehadhadagoodnight’ssleepbehindhim。Theinterestofanewcaserobbedhimofeverytraceoffatigue。Itwashealone-athisownrequest-whoraisedthebodyandlaiditonitsbackbeforehesteppedasidetomakewayforthedoctor。
Thephysicianopenedthedeadman’svesttoseewhetherthebullethadpassedcompletelythroughthebody。Butithadnot;therewasnottheslightesttraceofbloodupontheshirt。
"There’snothingmoreformetodohere，Muller，"saidthephysician，ashebowedtothecommissionerandlefttheplace。
Mullerexaminedthepocketsofthedeadman。
"It’sprobablyacaseofrobbery，too，"remarkedthecommissioner。
"Amanaswell-dressedasthisoneiswouldbelikelytohaveawatch。"
"Andapurse，"addedthedetective。"Butthismanhasneither-oratleasthehasthemnolonger。"
Inthevariouspocketsofthedeadman’sclothesMullerfoundthefollowingarticles：ahandkerchief，severaltramwaytickets，apenknife，atinymirror，andcomb，andalittlebook，acheapnovel。Hewrappedthemallinthehandkerchiefandputtheminhisownpocket。Thedeadman’scoathadfallenbackfromhisbodyduringtheexamination，andasMullerturnedthestiffenedlimbsalittlehesawtheopeningofanotherpockethighupovertherighthipofthetrousers。Thedetectivepassedhishandoverthepocketandheardsomethingrattle。Thenheputhishandinthepocketanddrewoutathinnarrowenvelopewhichhehandedtothecommissioner。Holzerlookedatitcarefully。Itwasmadeofverythinexpensivepaperandborenoaddress。Butitwassealed，althoughnotverycarefully，forthegummededgeswereopeninspots。Itmusthavebeenhastilyclosedandwasslightlycrushedasifithadbeencarriedinaclenchedhand。Thecommissionercutopentheenvelopewithhispenknife。HegaveanexclamationofsurpriseasheshowedMullerthecontents。Intheenvelopetherewerethreehundred-guldennotes。
ThecommissionerlookedatMullerwithoutaword，butthedetectiveunderstoodandshookhishead。"No，"hesaidcalmly，"itmaybeacaseofrobberyjustthesame。Thispocketwasnotveryeasytofind，andthemoneyinitwassaferthanthedeadman’swatchandpursewouldbe。Thatis，ifhehadawatchandpurse-andheveryprobablyhadawatch，"headdedmorequickly。
ForMullerhadmadealittlediscovery。Onthelowerhemoftheleftsideofthedeadman’swaistcoathesawalittlelump，andfeelingofithediscoveredthatitwasawatchkeywhichhadslippeddownoutofthetornpocketbetweentheliningandthematerialofthevest。Asureproofthatthedeadmanhadhadawatch，whichinallprobabilityhadbeentakenfromhimbyhismurderer。Therewasnoloosechangeorsmallbillstobefoundinanyofthepockets，sothatitwasmorethanlikelythatthedeadmanhadhadhismoneyinapurse。Itseemedtobeacaseofmurderforthesakeofrobbery。AtleastMullerandthecommissionerbelievedittobeone，fromwhattheyhaddiscoveredthusfar。
Thepoliceofficergavehismenorderstoraisethebodyandtotakeittothemorgue。Anhourlatertheunknownmanlayinthebareroominwhichtheonlyspotofbrightnessweretheraysofthesunthatcreptthroughthehighbarredwindowsandtouchedhiscoldfaceandstiffenedformaswithapityingcaress。Butno，therewasoneotherlittlespotofbrightnessinthesilentplace。
Itwasthewildasterwhichthedeadman’shandstillheldtightlyclasped。Thelittlepurpleflowerswerequitefreshyet，andthedewdropsclingingtothemgreetedthekissofthesun’srayswithanansweringsmile。
CHAPTERII
THEBROKENWILLOWTWIG
Assoonasthecorpsehadbeentakenaway，thepolicecommissionerreturnedtothestation。ButMullerremainedthereallalonetomakeathoroughexaminationoftheentirevicinity。
Itwasnotaveryattractivespot，thisparticularpartofthestreet。Theremusthavebeenanurserythereatonetime，fortherewerestillseveralorderedrowsofsmalltreestobeseen。
Thereweretracesofflowercultivationaswell，forseveraltrailingvinesandovergrownbushesshowedwhereshrubshadbeengrownwhichdonotusuallygrowwithoutman’sassistance。
ImmediatelybackoftheoldeldertreeMullerfoundseveralfineexamplesofrareflowers，orratherhefoundtheshrubswhichhisexperiencedeyerecognisedashavingoncebornetheseunusualblossoms。Oneortwobloomsstillhungtothebushesandthedetective，whowasagreatloverofflowers，pickedthemandputtheminhisbuttonhole。Whilehedidthis，hiskeeneyesweredartingabouttheplacetakinginallthedetails。Thisvacantlothadevidentlybeenusedasanunlicenseddumpinggroundforsometime，forallsortsofoddsandends，oldboots，bitsofstuff，silkandrags，brokenbottlesandemptytincans，layaboutbetweenthebushesorhalfburiedintheearth。Whathadoncebeenanorderlygardenwasnowanuntidyreceptacleforwaste。
Thepedanticallyneatdetectivelookedabouthimindisgust，thensuddenlyheforgothisdispleasureandagleamshotupinhiseye。
Itwasverylittle，thethingthismanhadseen，thismanwhosawsomuchmorethanothers。
Abouttenpacesfromwherehestoodahighwoodenfencehemmedinthelot。Thefencebelongedtotheneighbouringproperty，asthelotinwhichhestoodwasnotprotectedinanyway。Tothebackitwasclosedoffbyacornfieldwherethetallstalksrustledgentlyinthefaintmorningbreeze。AllthiscouldbeseenbyanybodyandMullerhadseenitallathisfirstglance。Butnowhehadseensomethingelse。Somethingthatexcitedhimbecauseitmightpossiblyhavesomeconnectionwiththenewlydiscoveredcrime。Hiskeeneyes，inglancingalongthewoodenfenceathisrighthand，hadcaughtsightofalittletwigwhichhadworkeditswaythroughthefence。Thistwigbelongedtoawillowtreewhichgrewontheotherside，andwhichspreaditsgrey-greenfoliageoverthefenceorthroughitswideopenings。Oneofthelittletwigswhichhadcreptinbetweentheplankswasbroken，andithadbeenbrokenveryrecently，fortheleaveswerestillfreshandthesapwasoozingfromthecrushedstem。Mullerwalkedovertothefenceandexaminedthetwigcarefully。Hesoonsawhowitcametobebroken。Thebrokenpartwasabouttheheightofaman’skneefromtheground。Andjustatthisheighttherewasquiteaspacebetweentwooftheplanksofthefence，heavyplankswhichwerelaidcross-waysandnailedtothickposts。Itwouldhavebeenveryeasyforanybodytogetafootholdinthisopenspacebetweentheplanks。
Itwasveryevidentlysomefootthrustinbetweentheplankswhichhadbrokenthelittlewillowtwig，anditssoftrindhadleftagreenmarkonthelowerplank。"Iwonderifthathasanythingtodowiththemurder，"thoughtMuller，lookingoverthefenceintothelotontheotherside。
Thisneighbouringplotwasevidentlyaneglectedgarden。Ithadoncewornanaristocraticair，withstonestatuesandartisticarrangementofflowerbedsandshrubs。Itwasstillattractiveeveninitsneglectedcondition。Beyondit，throughthefoliageofitsheavytrees，glasswindowscaughtthesunlight。Mullerrememberedthattherewasahandsomeoldhouseinthisdirection，ahousewithamansardroofandwide-reachingwings。Hedidnotnowknowtowhomthishandsomeoldhousebelonged，ahousethatmusthavebeenbuiltinthetimeofMariaTheresa，……buthewassureofonething，andthatwasthathewouldsoonfindouttowhomitbelonged。Atpresentitwasthegardenwhichinterestedhim，andhewasanxioustoseewhereitended。Afewmoments’
furtherinspectionshowedhimwhathewantedtoknow。Thegardenextendedtothebeginningofthepark-likegroundswhichsurroundedtheoldhousewiththemansardroof。Atallironrailingseparatedthegardenfromthepark，butthisrailingdidnotextenddownasfarasthequietlane。Whereitendedtherewasalight，well-builtwoodenfence。Alongthestreetsideofthefencetherewasahighthickhedge。Mullerwalkedalongthishedgeuntilhecametoalittlegate。Thencrossingthestreet，hesawthatthehousewhosewindowsglistenedinthesunlightwasahousewhichheknewwellfromitsotherside，itsfrontfacade。
Nowhewentbacktotheeldertreeandthenwalkedslowlyawayfromthistothespotwherehefoundthebrokenwillowtwig。Heexaminedeveryfootoftheground，buttherewasnothingtobeseenthatwasofanyinteresttohim-notafootprint，oranythingtoprovethatsomeoneelsehadpassedthatwayashorttimebefore。Andyetitwouldhavebeenimpossibletopassthatwaywithoutleavingsometrace，forthegroundwascutupinalldirectionsbymolehills。
Nextthedetectivescrutinisedasmuchofthesurroundingsaswouldcomeintoimmediateconnectionwiththespotwherethecorpsehadbeenfound。Therewasnothingtobeseenthereeither，andMullerwasobligedtoacknowledgethathehaddiscoverednothingthatwouldleadtoanunderstandingofthecrime，unless，indeed，thebrokenwillowtwigshouldprovetobeaclue。Hesprangbackacrosstheditch，turneduptheedgesofhistrouserswheretheyhadbeenmoistenedbythedewandwalkedslowlyalongthedustystreet。Hewasnolongeraloneinthelane。Anoldman，accompaniedbyalargedog，cameoutfromoneofthenewhousesandwalkedtowardsthedetective，hewasveryevidentlygoinginthedirectionoftheelder-tree，whichhadalreadybeensuchacentreofinterestthatmorning。WhenhemetMuller，theoldmanhalted，touchedhiscapandaskedinaconfidentialtone："Isupposeyou’vebeentoseetheplacealready？"
"Whichplace？"wasMuller’sreservedanswer。
Why，Imeantheplacewheretheyfoundthemanwhowasmurdered。
Theyfoundhimunderthatelder-tree。Mywifejustheardofitandtoldme。Isupposeeverybodyroundherewillknowitsoon。"
"Wasthereamanmurderedhere？"askedMuller，asifsurprisedbythenews。
"Yes，hewasshotlastnight。OnlyIdon’tunderstandwhyIdidn’theartheshot。Icouldn’tsleepawinkallnightforthepaininmybones。"
"Youlivenearhere，then？"
"Yes，IliveinNo。1。Didn’tyouseemecomingout？"
"Ididn’tnoticeit。IcameacrossthewetmeadowsandIstoopedtoturnupmytrouserssothattheywouldn’tgetdusty-itmusthavebeenthenyoucameout。"
"Why，thenyoumusthavebeenrightneartheplaceIwastalkingabout。Doyouseethateldertreethere？It’stheonlyoneinthestreet，andthegirlwhobringsthemilkfoundthemanunderit。
Thepolicehavebeenherealreadyandhavetakenhimaway。Theydiscoveredhimaboutsixo’clockandnowit’sjustseven。"
"Andyouhadn’tanysuspicionthatthisdreadfulthingwashappeningsonearyou？"askedthedetectivecasually。
"Ididn’tknowathing，sir，notathing。Therecouldn’thavebeenafightorIwouldhaveheardit。ButIdon’tknowwhyI
didn’theartheshot。"
"Why，thenyoumusthavebeenasleepafterall，inspiteofyourpain，"saidMullerwithasmile，ashewalkedalongbesidethemanbacktotheplacefromwhichhehadjustcome。
Theoldmanshookhishead。"No，ItellyouIdidn’tcloseaneyeallnight。Iwenttobedathalf-pastnineandIsmokedtwopipesbeforeIputoutthelight，andthenIheardeveryhourstrikeallnightlonganditwasn’tuntilnearlyfiveo’clock，whenitwasalmostdawn，thatIdozedoffabit。"
"Thenitisastonishingthatyoudidn’thearanything！"
"Sureit’sastonishing！Butit’sstillmoreastonishingthatmydogSultandidn’thearanything。Sultanisafamouswatchdog，I’dhaveyouknow。He’llgrowlifanybodypassesthroughthestreetafterdark，andIdon’tseewhyhedidn’tnoticewhatwasgoingonovertherelastnight。Ifaman’sattacked，hegenerallycallsforhelp;it’saqueerbusinessallright。"
"Well，Sultan，whydidn’tyoumakeanoise？"askedMuller，pattingthedog’sbroadhead。Sultangrowledandwalkedonindifferently，afterhehadshakenoffthestrangehand。
"Hemusthavesleptmoresoundlythanusual。Hewentoffintothecountrywithmeyesterday。Wehadanerrandtodothereandonthewaybackwestoppedinforadrink。Sultantakesadroportwohimselfoccasionally，andthatusuallymakeshimsleep。Ihadhardworktobringhimhome。Wegotherejustafewminutesbeforehalf-pastnineandItellyouwewerebothgoodandtired。"
Bythistimetheyhadcometotheelder-treeandtheoldman’sstreamoftalkceasedashestoodbeforethespotwherethemysteriouscrimehadoccurred。Helookeddownthoughtfullyatthegrass，nowtrampledbymanyfeet。"Whocouldhavedoneit？"hemurmuredfinally，withasighthatexpressedhispityforthevictim。
"HietzingisknowntobeoneofthesafestspotsinVienna，"
remarkedMuller。
"Indeeditis，sir;indeeditis。Asitwouldwellhavetobewiththeroyalcastlesrighthereintheneighbourhood！IndeeditwouldhavetobesafewiththeCourtcominghereallthetime。"
"Why，yes，youseemorepoliceherethananywhereelseinthecity。"
"Yes，they’realwaysstickingtheirnoseinwherethey’renotnecessary，"remarkedtheoldman，notrealisingtowhomhewasspeaking。"Theyfussabouteverythingyoudoordon’tdo，andyetamancanbeshotdownrightunderourverynoseshereandthepolicecan’thelpit。"
"But，mydearsir，itisn’talwayspossibleforthepolicetopreventacriminalcarryingouthisevilintention，"saidMullergood-naturedly。
"Well，whynot？iftheywatchoutsharpenough？"
"Thepolicewatchoutsharperthanmostpeoplethink。Buttheycan’tcatchamanuntilhehascommittedhiscrime，canthey？"
"No，Isupposenot，"saidtheoldman，withanotherglanceattheelder-tree。HebowedtoMullerandturnedandwalkedaway。
Mullerfollowedhimslowly，verymuchpleasedwiththismeeting，forithadgivenhimanewclue。Therewasnoreasontodoubttheoldman’sstory。Andifthisstorywastrue，thenthecrimehadbeencommittedbeforehalf-pastnineoftheeveningprevious。Fortheoldman-hewasevidentlythejanitorinNo。1-hadnotheardtheshot。
Mullerleftthesceneofthecrimeandwalkedtowardsthefourhouses。Beforehereachedthemhehadtopassthegardenwhichbelongedtothehousewiththemansardroof。Rightandleftofthisgardenwerevacantlots，aswellasontheoppositesideofthestreet。Thencametotherightandleftthefournewhouseswhichstoodatthebeginningofthequietlane。Mullerpassedthem，turnedupacrossstreetandthendownagain，intothestreetrunningparallel，tothelane，aquietaristocraticstreetonwhichfrontedthehousewiththemansardroof。
Acarriagestoodinfrontofthishouse，twogreattrunkspiledupontheboxbesidethedriver。Ayounggirlandanoldmaninliverywereplacingbagsandbundlesofrugsinsidethecarriage。
Mullerwalkedslowlytowardthecarriage。Justashereachedtheopengateofthegardenhewasobligedtohalt，tohisowngreatsatisfaction。Foratthismomentagroupofpeoplecameoutfromthehouse，theownersofitevidently，preparedforajourneyandsurroundedbytheirservants。
Besidetheoldmanandtheyounggirl，thereweretwootherwomen，oneevidentlythehousekeeper，theotherpossiblythecook。Thelatterwasweepingopenlyanddevoutlykissingthehandofhermistress。Thehousekeeperdiscoveredthatarugwasmissingandsentthemaidbackforit，whiletheoldservanthelpedtheladyintothecarriage。ThedoorofthecarriagewaswideopenandMullerhadagoodglimpseofthepale，sweet-facedanddelicate-lookingyoungwomenwholeanedbackinhercorner，shiveringandevidentlyill。Theservantsbustledabout，makinghercomfortable，whileherhusbandsuperintendedtheworkwithanxioustenderness。Hewasatall，fine-lookingmanwithdeep-setgreyeyesandarich，sympatheticvoice。Hegavehisorderstohisservantswithcalmauthority，buthealsowasevidentlysufferingfromthediseaseofourcentury-nervousness，forMullersawthattheman’shandsclenchedfeverishlyandthathislipsweretremblingunderhisdroopingmoustache。
Themaidhasteneddownwiththerugandspreaditoverhermistress’sknees，asthegentlemanexclaimednervously："Dohurrywiththat！Doyouwantustomissthetrain？"
Thebutlerclosedthedoorofthecarriage，thecoachmangatheredupthereinsandraisedhiswhip。Thehousekeeperbowedlowandmurmuredafewwordsinfarewellandtheotherservantsfollowedherexamplewithtearsintheireyes。"You’llseeusagaininsixweeks，"theladycalledoutandherhusbandadded："Ifallgoeswell。"Thenhemotionedtothewaitingdriverandthecarriagemovedoffswiftly，turningthecornerinafewmoments。
Thelittlegroupofservantsreturnedtothecourtyardbehindthehighgates。Muller，whomtheyhadnotnoticed，wasabouttoresumehiswalk，whenhehaltedagain。Thecourtyardofthehouseledbackthroughaflaggedwalktothepark-likegardenthatsurroundeditonthesidesandrear。Downthiswalkcameayoungwoman。Shecamesoquicklythatonemightalmostcallitrunning。Shewasevidentlyexcitedaboutsomething。Mullerimaginedwhatthissomethingmightbe，andheremainedtohearwhatshehadtosay。Hewasnotmistaken。Thewoman，itwasMrs。Schmiedler，thegardener’swife，beganherstoryatonce。"Haven’tyouheardyet？"shesaidbreathlessly。"No，youcan’thaveheardityetoryouwouldn’tstandtheresoquietly，Mrs。Bernauer。"
"What’sthematter？"askedthewomanwhomMullertooktobethehousekeeper。
"Theykilledamanlastnightouthere！Theyfoundhisbodyjustnowinthelanebackofourgarden。ThejanitorfromNo。1toldmeasIwasgoingtothestore，soIwentrightbacktolookattheplace，andIcametotellyou，asIdidn’tthinkyou’dheardityet。"
Mrs。Bernauerwasevidentlyawomanofstrongconstitutionandofanequablemind。Theotherthreeservantsbrokeoutintoanexcitedhubbuboftalkwhilesheremainedquiteindifferentandcalm。"Onemorepoorfellowwhohadtoleavetheworldbeforehewasready，"sheremarkedcalmly，withjustthenaturaltouchofpityinhervoicethatwouldcometoanywarm-heartedhumanbeinguponhearingofsuchanoccurrence。Shedidnotseematallexcitedoralarmedtothinkthatthesceneofthecrimehadbeensonear。
Theotherservantswereverymuchmoreexcitedandhadalreadyrushedoff，undertheguidanceofthegardener’swife，tolookatthedreadfulspot。Franz，thebutler，hadquiteforgottentoclosethefrontgateinhisexcitement，andthehousekeeperturnedtodoitnow。
"Thefools，seethemrun，"sheexclaimedhalfaloud。"Asiftherewasanythingforthemtodothere。"
Thegateclosed，Mrs。Bernauerturnedandwalkedslowlytothehouse。Mullerwalkedonalso，goingfirsttothepolicestationtoreportwhathehaddiscovered。Thenhewenttohisownroomsandsleptuntilnearlynoon。Onhisreturntothepolicestationhefoundthatnoticesoftheoccurrencehadalreadybeensentouttothepapers。
CHAPTERIII
THEEVENINGPAPER
Theautopsyprovedbeyondadoubtthatthemurderedmanhadbeendeadformanyhoursbeforethediscoveryofhisbody。Thebulletwhichhadstruckhiminthebackhadpiercedthetracheaanddeathhadoccurredwithinafewminutes。TheonlymarksforidentificationofthebodyweretheinitialsL。W。onhisunderwear。
Theeveningpaperprintedanexactdescriptionoftheman’sappearanceandhisclothing。
Itwasaboutteno’clocknextmorningwhenMrs。Klingmayer，awidowlivinginaquietstreetattheoppositeendofthecityfromHietzing，returnedfromhermorningmarketing。Itwasonlyafewlittlebundlesthatshebroughtwithherandshesetaboutpreparinghersimpledinner。Herpackageswerewrappedinnewspapers，whichshecarefullysmoothedoutandlaidonthedresser。
Mrs。Klingmayerwasthewidowofastreet-carconductorandthelittlepensionwhichshereceivedfromthecompany，aswellasthemoneyshecouldearnforherself，didnotpermitoftheindulgenceinadailynewspaper。Andyetthereadingofthepaperswastheoneluxuryforwhichthesimplewomanlonged。Hergrocer，whowasafriendofyears，knewthisandwouldwrapupherpurchasesinpapersofrecentdate，knowingthatshecouldthenenjoytheminherfewmomentsofleisure。To-daythisleisurecameunexpectedlyearly，forMrs。Klingmayerhadlessworkthanusualtoattendto。
Herlittleflatconsistedoftworoomsandakitchenwithalargeclosetopeningoutfromit。Shelivedinthekitchenandrentedthefrontrooms。Hertenantswereamiddle-agedman，inspectorinafactory，whohadthelargerroom;andayoungermanwhowasbookkeeperinanimportinghouseinthecity。Butthisyoungmanhadnotbeenathomeforforty-eighthours，afact，however，whichdidnotgreatlyworryhislandlady。Thegentlemaninquestionlivedaratherdissipatedlifeanditwasnotthefirsttimethathehadremainedawayfromhomeovernight。Itistruethatitwasthefirsttimethathehadnotbeenhomefortwosuccessivenights。
ButasMrs。Klingmayerthought，everythinghastohappenthefirsttimesometime。"It’snotlikelytobethelasttime，"theworthywomanthought。
Atalleventsshewasrathergladofitto-day，forshesufferedfromrheumatismanditwasdifficultforhertogetabout。Theyoungman’sabsencesavedhertheworkoffixinguphisroomthatmorningandallowedhertogettoherreadingearlierthanusual。
Whenshehadputthepotofsouponthefire，shesatdownbythewindow，adjustedherbigspectaclesandbegantoread。Tohergreatdelightshediscoveredthatthepapersheheldinherhandborethedateofthepreviousafternoon。Inspiteofthegoodintentionsofherfriendthegrocer，itwasnotalwaysthatshecouldgetapaperofsorecentdate，andshebegantoreadwithdoubledanticipationofpleasure。
Shedidnotwastetimeontheleadingarticles，forsheunderstoodlittleaboutpolitics。Theserialstorieswereagreatdelighttoher，orwouldhavebeen，ifshehadeverbeenabletofollowthemconsecutively。Butherprincipaljoyweretheeverydayhappeningsofvariedinterestwhichshefoundinthenewscolumns。To-dayshewassoabsorbedinthereadingofthemthatthesouppotbegantoboiloverandsendoutrivuletsdownontothestove。OrdinarilythiswouldhaveshockedMrs。Klingmayer，fortheneatnessofherpotsandpanswastheonegreatcareofherlife。Butnow，strangetorelate，shepaidnoattentiontothesoup，nortothesmellandthesmokethatarosefromthestove。Shehadjustcomeuponanoticeinthepaperwhichtookherentireattention。Shereaditthroughthreetimes，andeachtimewithgrowingexcitement。Thisiswhatsheread：
MURDERINHIETZING
Thismorningatsixo’clockthebodyofamanabout30yearsoldwasdiscoveredinalaneinHietzing。Themanmusthavebeendeadmanyhours。Hehadbeenshotfrombehind。Thedeadmanwastallandthin，withbrowneyes，brownhairandmoustache。
ThelettersL。W。wereembroideredinhisunderwear。Therewasnothingelsediscoveredonhimthatcouldreveal-hisidentity。
Hiswatchandpursewerenotinhispockets：presumablytheyhadbeentakenbythemurderer。Astrangefactisthatinoneofhispockets-ahiddenpocketitistrue-therewasthesumof300guldensinbills。
ThiswasthenoticewhichmadeMrs。Klingmayerneglectthesouppot。
Finallytheoldwomanstoodupveryslowly，threwaglanceatthestoveandopenedthewindowmechanically。Thensheliftedthepotsfromthefireandsetthemontheouteredgeoftherange。Andthenshedidsomethingthatordinarilywouldhaveshockedhereconomicalsoul-shepouredwateronthefiretoputitout。
Whenshesawthattherewasnotasparkleftinthestove，shewentintoherownlittleroomandpreparedtogoout。Herexcitementcausedhertoforgetherrheumatismentirely。Onemorelookaroundherlittlekitchen，thenshelockeditupandsetoutforthecentreofthecity。
Shewenttotheofficeoftheimportinghousewherehertenant，LeopoldWinkler，wasemployedasbookkeeper。Theclerkatthedoornoticedthewoman’sexcitementandaskedherkindlywhatthetroublewas。
"I’dliketospeaktoMr。Winkler，"shesaideagerly。
"Mr。Winklerhasn’tcomeinyet，"answeredtheyoungman。"Isanythingthematter？Youlooksowhite！Winklerwillprobablyshowupsoon，he’sneververypunctual。Butit’saftereleveno’clocknowandhe’sneverbeenaslateasthisbefore。"
"I’don’tbelievehe’llevercomeagain，"saidtheoldwoman，sinkingdownonabenchbesidethe’door。
"Why，whatdoyoumean？"askedtheclerk。"Whyshouldn’thecomeagain？"
"Istheheadofthefirmhere？"askedMrs。Klingmayer，wipingherforeheadwithherhandkerchief。Theclerknoddedandhurriedawaytotellhisemployeraboutthewomanwiththewhitefacewhocametoaskforamanwho，assheexpressedit，"wouldnevercomethereagain。"
"Idon’tthinkshe’squiterightinthehead，"hevolunteered。Theheadofthefirmtoldhimtobringthewomanintotheinneroffice。
"Whoareyou，mygoodwoman？"heaskedkindly，softenedbytheevidentagitationofthispoorlythoughneatlydressedwoman。
"IamMr。Winkler’slandlady，"sheanswered。
"Ah！andhewantsyoutotellmethathe’ssick？I’mafraidIcan’tbelieveallthatthisgentlemansays。Ihopehe’snotaskingyourhelptolietome。Areyousurethathisillnessisanythingelsebutacaseofbeinguplate？"
"Idon’tthinkthathe’lleverbesickagain-Ididn’tcomewithanymessagefromhim，sir;pleasereadthis，sir。"Andshehandedhimthenewspaper，showinghimthenotice。Whilethegentlemanwasreadingsheadded："Mr。Winklerdidn’tcomehomelastnighteither。"
Winkler’semployerreadthefewlines，thenlaidthepaperasidewithaveryseriousface。"Whendidyouseehimlast？"heaskedofthewoman。
"Daybeforeyesterdayinthemorning。Hewentawayabouthalf-pasteightasheusuallydoes，"shereplied。Andthensheaddedaquestionofherown："Washeheredaybeforeyesterday？"
Themerchantnoddedandpressedanelectricbell。Thenherosefromhisseatandpulledupachairforhisvisitor。"Sitdownhere。
Thisthinghasfrightenedyouandyouarenolongeryoung。"Whentheservantentered，themerchanttoldhimtoasktheheadbookkeepertocometotheinneroffice。
Whenthisofficialappeared，hisemployerinquired：
"WhendidWinklerleaveheredaybeforeyesterday？"
"Atsixo’clock，sir，asusual。"
"Hewasherealldaywithoutinterruption？"
"Yes，sir，withtheexceptionoftheusualluncheonhour。"
"DidhehavethehandlingofanymoneyMonday？"
"No，sir。"
"Thankyou，Mr。Pokorny，"saidthemerchant，handinghisemployeetheeveningpaperandpointingtothenoticewhichhadsointerestedhim。
Pokornyreadit，hisface，likehisemployer’s，growingmoreserious。
"ItlooksalmostasifitmustbeWinkler，sir，"hesaid，inafewmoments。
"Wewillsoonfindthatout。Ishouldliketogotothepolicestationmyselfwiththiswoman;sheisWinkler’slandlady-butI
thinkitwillbebetterforyoutoaccompanyher。TheywillaskquestionsaboutthemanwhichyouwillbebetterabletoanswerthanI。"
Pokornybowedandlefttheroom。Mrs。Klingmayerroseandwasabouttofollow，whenthemerchantaskedhertowaitamomentandinquiredwhetherWinklerowedheranything。"Iamsorrythatyoushouldhavehadthisshockandtheannoyancesandtroublewhichwillcomeofit，butIdon’twantyoutobeoutofpocketbyit。"
"No，hedoesn’towemeanything，"repliedthehonestoldwoman，shakingherhead。Afewbigtearsrolleddownoverherwitheredcheeks，possiblytheonlytearsthatwereshedforthedeadmanundertheelder-tree。Buteventhissympatheticsoulcouldfindnothingtosayinhispraise。Shecouldfeelpityforhisdreadfuldeath，butshecouldnotassertthattheworldhadlostanythingbyhisgoingoutofit。Asifsaddenedbytheimpossibilityoffindingasinglegoodwordtosayaboutthedeadman，shelefttheofficewithdroopingheadandlaggingstep。
Pokornyhelpedherintothecabthatwasalreadywaitingbeforethedoor。Theofficeforcehadgotwindofthefactthatsomethingunusualhadoccurredandwereallatthewindowstoseethemdriveoff。ThethreeclerkswhoworkedinthedepartmenttowhichWinklerbelongedgatheredtogethertotalkthematterover。Theywerenoneofthemparticularlyhitbyit，butnaturallytheywereinterestedinthediscoveryinHietzing，andequallynaturally，theytriedtofindafewgoodwordstosayaboutthemanwhoselifehadendedsosuddenly。
Theyoungestofthem，FritzBormann，saidsomekindwordsandwasabouttowaxmoreenthusiastic，whenDegenhart，theeldestclerk，cutinwiththewords："Oh，don’ttroubleyourself。NobodyeverlikedWinklerhere。’Hewasnotagoodman-hewasnotevenagoodworker。Thisisthefirsttimethathehasareasonableexcuseforneglectinghisduties。"
"Oh，come，seehere！howcanyoutalkaboutthepoormanthatwaywhenhe’sscarcelycoldindeathyet，"saidFritzindignantly。
Degenhartlaughedharshly。
"DidIeversayanythingelseabouthimwhilehewaswarmandalive？
Deathisnoreasonforchangingone’sopinionaboutamanwhowasgood-for-nothinginlife。Andhisdeathwasastrokeofgoodluckthathescarcelydeserved。Hediedwithoutamoment’spain，withamerrythoughtinhishead，perhaps，whilemanyanotherbettermanhastolingerintortureforweeks。No，Bormann，thebestIcansayaboutWinkleristhathisdeathmakesonenonentitythelessonearth。"
Theoldermanturnedtohisdeskagainandthetwoyoungerclerkscontinuedtheconversation："Degenhartappearstobeahardman，"
saidFritz，"buthe’sthebestandkindestpersonIknow，andhe’sdeadrightinwhathesays。Itwassimplyacaseofconventionalsuperstition。IneverdidlikethatWinkler。"
"No，you’reright，"saidtheother。NeitherdidIandIdon’tknowwhy，forthematterofthat。Heseemedjustlikeathousandothers。Ineverheardofanythingparticularlywrongthathedid。"
"No，nomoredidI，"continuedBormann，"butIneverheardofanythinggoodabouthimeither。Anddon’tyouthinkthatit’sworseforamantoseemtorepelpeoplebyhisverypersonality，ratherthanbyanyparticularbadthingthathedoes？"
"Yes。Idon’tknowhowtoexplainit，butthat’sjusthowIfeelaboutit。IhadaninstinctivefeelingthattherewassomethingwrongaboutWinkler，thesortofacreepy，crawlyfeelingthatasnakegivesyou。"
CHAPTERIV
SPEAKWELLOFTHEDEAD
MeanwhilePokomyandMrs。Klingmayerhadreachedthepolicestationandweregoingupstairstotheroomsofthecommissioneronservicefortheday。Likeallpeopleofherclass，Mrs。Klingmayerstoodingreataweandterrorofanythingconnectedwiththepoliceorthelawgenerally。ShecreptslowlyandtremblinglyupthestairsbehindtheheadbookkeeperandwasverygladwhenshewasleftaloneforafewminuteswhilePokornywentintoseethecommissioner。
Butassoonashiserrandwasknown，boththebookkeeperandhiscompanionwereledintotheofficeofHeadCommissionerDr。vonRiedau，whohadchargeoftheHietzingmurdercase。
WhenDr。vonRiedauheardthereasonoftheircoming，hisinterestwasimmediatelyaroused，andhepulledachairtohissideforthelittlethinmanwithwhomhehadbeentalkingwhenthetwostrangerswereusheredin。
"Thenyoubelieveyoucouldidentifythemurderedman？"askedthecommissioner。
"Fromthegeneraldescriptionandtheinitialsonhislinen，I
believeitmustbeLeopoldWinkler，"answeredPokorny。"Mrs。
KlingmayerhasnotseenhimsinceMondaymorning，norhasshehadanymessagefromhim。HelefttheofficeMondayafternoonat6
o’clockandthatwasthelasttimethatwesawhim。Theonlythingthatmakesmedoubthisidentityisthatthepaperreportsthatthreehundredguldenwerefoundinhispocket。Winklerneverseemedtohavemoney，andIdonotunderstandhowheshouldhavebeeninpossessionofsuchasum。"
"Themoneywasfoundinthedeadman’spockets，"saidthecommissioner。"AndyetitmaybeWinkler，themanyouknow。
Muller，willyouorderacab，please？"
Ihaveacabwaitingforme。Butitonlyholdstwo，"volunteeredPokorny。
"Thatdoesn’tmatter，I’llsitonthebox，"answeredthemanaddressedasMuller。
"Youaregoingwithus？"askedPokorny。
"Yes，hewillaccompanyyou，"repliedthecommissioner。"ThisisdetectiveMuller，sir。Byamerechance，hehappenedtobeonhandtotakechargeofthiscaseandhewillremainincharge，althoughitmaybewastinghistalentswhichweneedformoredifficultproblems。Ifyouoranyoneelsehaveanythingtotellus，itmustbetoldonlytomeortoMuller。Andbeforeyouleavetolookatthebody，Iwouldliketoknowwhetherthedeadmanownedawatch，orratherwhetherhehaditwithhimonthedayofthemurder。"
"Yes，sir;hedidhaveawatch，agoldwatch，"answeredMrs。
Klingmayer。
Riedaulookedatthebookkeeper，whonoddedandsaid："Yes，sir;
Winklerhadawatch，agoldwatchwithadoublecase。Itwasalargewatch，verythick。IhappentohavenoticeditbychanceandalsoIhappentoknowthathehadnothadthewatchforverylong。"
"Canyoutellusanythingmoreaboutthewatch？"askedthecommissionerofthelandlady。
"Yes，sir;therewasengravingontheoutsidecover，initials，andacrownontheotherside。"
"Whatweretheinitials？"
"Idon’tknowthat，sir;atleastI’mnotsureaboutit。ThereweresomanytwistsandcurvestothemthatIcouldn’tmakethemout。IthinkoneofthemwasaWthough，sir。"
"TheotherwasprobablyanLthen。"
"Thatmightbe，sir。"
"Theyoungerclerksintheofficemaybeabletotellsomethingmoreaboutthewatch，"saidPokorny，"fortheywerequiteinterestedinitforawhile。ItwasahandsomewatchandtheywereenviousofWinkler’spossessionofit。Buthewassotactlessinhisboastingaboutitthattheypaidnofurtherattentiontohimafterthefirstexcitement。"
"Yousayhedidn’thavethewatchlong？"
"SincespringIthink，sir。"
"Hebroughtithomeonthe19thofMarch，"interruptedMrs。
Klingmayer。"Irememberthedaybecauseitwasmybirthday。I
pretendedthathehadbroughtithometomeforapresent。"
"Washeinthehabitofmakingyoupresents？"
"Oh，no，sir;hewasveryclosewithhismoney，sir。
"Well，perhapshedidn’thavemuchmoneytobegenerouswith。Nowtellmeabouthiswatchchain。Isupposehehadawatchchain？"
Boththebookkeeperandthelandladynoddedandthelatterexclaimed：
"Oh，yes，sir;Icouldrecogniseitinaminute。"
"How？"
"ItwasbrokenonceandMr。Winklermendedithimself。Ilenthimmypliersandhebentthetwolinkstogetherwiththem。Itdidn’tlookveryniceafterthat，butitwasstrongagain。Youcouldseethemarkoftheplierseasily。"
"Whydidn’thetakethechaintothejeweler’stobefixed？"askedthecommissioner。
Thewomansmiled。"Itwouldn’thavebeenworththemoney，sir;thechainwasn’trealgold。"
"Butthewatchwasreal，wasn’tit？"
"Oh，yes，sir;thatwasrealgold。IpawneditonceforMr。Winklerandtheygaveme24guldenforit。"
"Onequestionmore，didhehaveapurse？Anddidhehaveitwithhimonthedayofthemurder？"
"Yes，sir;hehadapurse，andhemusthavetakenitwithhimbecausehedidn’tleaveitinhisroom。"
"Whatsortofapursewasit？"
"Abrownleatherpurse，sir。"
"Wasitanewone？"
"Oh，no，sir;itwaswellworn。"
"Howbigwasit？Aboutlikemine？"Riedautookouthisownpocketbook。
"No，sir;itwasalittlesmaller。Ithadthreepocketsinit。
Imendeditforhimonce，soIknowitwell。Ididn’thaveanybrownthreadsoImendeditwithyellow。"
Dr。vonRiedaunoddedtoMuller。Thelatterhadbeensittingatalittleside-tablewritingdownthequestionsandanswers。WhenRiedausawthishedidnotsendforaclerktodothework，forMullerpreferredtoattendtosuchmattershimselfasmuchaspossible。Thefactsgainedintheexaminationwereimpresseduponhismindwhilehewaswritingthem，andhedidnothavetowadethroughpagesofmanuscripttogetatwhatheneeded。Nowhehandedhissuperiorofficerthepaper。
"Thankyou，"saidRiedau，"I’llsenditouttotheotherpolicestations。Iwillattendtothismyself。Yougoonwiththesepeopletosee。whethertheycanidentifythecorpse。"
FifteenminuteslaterthethreestoodbeforethebodyinthemorgueandboththebookkeeperandhiscompanionidentifiedthedeadmanpositivelyasLeopoldWinkler。
Whentheidentificationwasmade，anoticewassentouttoallAustrianpolicestationsandtoallpawnshopswithanexactdescriptionofthestolenwatchandpurse。
Mullerledhiscompanionsbacktothecommissioner’sofficeandtheymadetheirreporttoDr。vonRiedau。Uponbeingquestionedfurther，Pokornystated："IhadverylittletodowithWinkler。Wemetonlywhenhehadareporttomaketomeortoshowmehisbooks，andwenevermetoutsidetheoffice。Theclerkswhoworkedinthesameroomwithhim，mayknowhimbetter……Iknowonlythathewasaveryreservedmanandverylittleliked。"
"ThenIdonotneedtodetainyouanylonger，nortotroubleyoufurtherinthisaffair。Ithankyouforcomingtoussopromptly。
Ithasbeenofgreatassistance。"
Thebookkeeperleftthestation，butMrs。Klingmayer，whowasnowquitereassuredastotheharmlessnessofthepolice，wasaskedtoremainandtotellwhatsheknewoftheprivatelifeofthemurderedman。Heranswerstothevariousquestionsputtoherprovedthatsheknewverylittleabouthertenant。Butthismuchwaslearnedfromher：thathewasveryclosewithhismoneyattimes，butthatagainatothertimesheseemedtohaveallhewantedtospend。Atsuchtimeshepaidallhisdebts，andwhenhestayedhomeforsupper，hewouldsendheroutforallsortsofexpensivedelicacies。TheseextravagantdaysseemedtohavenothingwhatevertodowithWinkler’sbusinesspayday，butcameatoddtimes。
Mrs。Klingmayerrememberedtwoseparatetimeswhenhehadreceivedapostalmoneyorder。Butshedidnotknowfromwhomtheletterscame，norevenwhethertheyweresentfromthecityorfromsomeothertown。Winklerreceivedotherlettersnowandthen，buthislandladywasnotofthepryingkind，andshehadpaidverylittleattentiontothem。
Heseemedtohavefewfriendsorevenacquaintances。Shedidnotknowofanyloveaffair，atleastofnothing"regular。"Hehadremainedawayovernighttwoorthreetimesduringtheyearthathehadbeenhertenant。ThiswasaboutallthatMrs。Klingmayercouldsay，andshereturnedtoherhomeinacabfurnishedherbythekindcommissioner。
Abouttwohourslater，apoliceattendantannouncedthatagentlemanwouldliketoseeDr。vonRiedanonbusinessconcerningthemurderinHietzing。"FriedrichBormann"wasthenameonthecard。
"Askhimtostepinhere，"saidthecommissioner。"AndpleaseaskMr。Mullertojoinus。"
Thegood-lookingyoungclerkenteredtheofficebashfullyandMullerslippedinbehindhim，seatinghimselfinconspicuouslybythedoor。
Atasignfromthecommissionerthevisitorbegan。"IamanemployeeofBraun&Co。IhavethedesknexttoLeopoldWinkler，duringtheyearthathehasbeenwithus-theyearandaquartertobeexact-"
"Ah，thenyouknowhimratherwell？"
"Why，yes。Atleastweweretogetherallday，althoughInevermethimoutsidetheoffice。"
"Thenyoucannottellusmuchabouthisprivatelife？"
"No，sir，buttherewassomethinghappenedonMonday，andintalkingitoverwithMr。Braun，hesuggestedthatIshouldcometoyouandtellyouaboutit。Itwasn’treallyveryimportant，anditdoesn’tseemasifitcouldhaveanythingtodowiththismurderandrobbery;
stillitmaybeofsomeuse。"
"Everythingthatwouldthrowlightonthedeadman’slifecouldbeofuse，"saidDr。vonRiedau。"Pleasetelluswhatitisyouknow。"
FritzBormannbegan："WinklercametotheofficeasusualonMondaymorningandworkedsteadilyathisdesk。ButIhappenedtonoticethathespoiledseverallettersandhadtorewritethem，whichshowedmethathisthoughtswerenotonhiswork，afrequentoccurrencewithhim。However，everythingwentalongasusualuntil11o’clock。ThenWinklerbecameveryuneasy。Helookedconstantlytowardthedoor，comparedhiswatchwiththeofficeclock，andsprangupimpatientlyasthespeciallettercarrier，whousuallycomesabout11withmoneyorders，finallyappeared。"
"Thenhewasexpectingmoneyyouthink？"
"Itmusthavebeenso。Forasthelettercarrierpassedhim，hecalledout：’Haven’tyouanythingforme？’andasthemanshookhisheadWinklerseemedgreatlydisappointedanddepressed。Beforehelefttogotolunch，hewroteahastyletter，whichheputinhispocket。
"Hecameinhalfanhourlaterthantherestofus。Hehadoftenbeenreprimandedforhislackofpunctuality，butitseemedtodonogood。Hewasalmostalwayslate。Mondaywasnoexception，althoughhewaslaterthanusualthatday。"
"Andwhatsortofamoodwasheinwhenhecameback？"
"Hewasirritableanddepressed。Heseemedtobeawaitingamessagewhichdidnotcome。Hisexcitementhinderedhimfromworking，hescarcelydidanythingtheentireafternoon。Finallyatfiveo’clockamessengerboycamewithaletterforhim。IsawthatWinklerturnedpaleashetookthenoteinhishand。Itseemedtobeonlyafewwordswrittenhastilyonacard，thrustintoanenvelope。
Winkler’steethweresetasheopenedtheletter。Themessengerhadalreadygoneaway。"
"Didyounoticehisnumber？"askedDr。vonRiedau。
"No，Iscarcelynoticedthemanatall。IwaslookingatWinkler，whosebehaviourwassopeculiar。Whenhereadthecardhisfacebrightened。Hereaditthroughoncemore，thenhetorebothcardandenvelopeintolittlebitsandthrewthepiecesoutoftheopenwindow。
"Thenheevidentlydidnotwantanybodytoseethecontentsofthisnote，"saidavoicefromthecorneroftheroom。
FritzBormannlookedaroundastonishedandratherdoubtfulatthelittlemanwhohadrisenfromhischairandnowcameforward。
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