\"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。