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