第2章

Afterleavingtheprison，MullertookthetrainforthevillageofGrunau，abouthalfanhourdistantfromthecity。HefoundhiswayeasilytoGraumann’shome，anattractiveoldhousesetinalargegardenamidgroupsofbeautifuloldtrees。WhenhesentuphiscardtoMissGraumann，theoldladytrippeddownstairsinaflutterofexcitement。

"Didyouseehim？"sheasked。"Youhavebeentotheprison？Whatdoyouthink？Howdoesheseem？"

"Heseemscalmto—day，"repliedMuller，"althoughtheconfinementandtheanxietyareevidentlywearingonhim。"

"Andyouheardhisstory？Andyoubelievehiminnocent？"

"Iaminclinedtodoso。Butthereismoreyetformetoinvestigateinthismatter。Itiscertainlynotassimpleasthepolicehereseemtobelieve。MayIspeaktoyourward，MissRoemer？Sheisathomenow？"

"Yes，Loraisathome。IfyouwillwaithereamomentIwillsendherin。"

Mullerpacedupanddownthelargesunnyroom，castingaglanceoverthehandsomeoldpiecesoffurnitureandthefamilyportraitsonthewall。Itwasevidentlythehomeofgenerationsofwell—to—do，well—bredpeople，thenarrowcircleofwhoselifewasmaderichbycongenialdutiesandacomfortablefeelingoftheirstandinginthecommunity。

Whilehewasstudyingoneoftheportraitsmorecarefully，hebecameawarethattherewassomeoneintheroom。Heturnedandsawatallblondgirlstandingbythedoor。ShehadenteredsosoftlythatevenMuller’squickearhadnotheardtheopeningofthedoor。

"Doyouwishtospeaktome？"shesaid，comingdownintotheroom。

"IamEleonoraRoemer"

Herface，whichcouldbecalledhandsomeinitsevenregularityoffeatureanddelicateskin，wasverypalenow，andaroundhereyesweredarkringsthatspokeofsleeplessnights。Griefandmentalshockwerepreyinguponthisgirl’smind。"Sheisnottheonetomakeaconfidantofthosearoundher，"thoughtMullertohimself。

Thenheaddedaloud："Ifitdoesnotdistressyoutoomuchtotalkaboutthissadaffair，Iwillbeverygratefulifyouwillanswerafewquestions。"

"IwilltellyouwhateverIcan，"saidthegirlinthesameloweventoneinwhichshehadfirstspoken。"MissGraumanntellsmethatyouhavecomefromViennatotakeupthiscase。Itisonlynaturalthatweshouldwanttogiveyoueveryassistanceinourpower。"

"Whatisyouropinionaboutit？"wasMuller’snextremark，maderathersuddenlyafteramoment’spause。

Thedirectnessofthequestionseemedtoshakethegirloutofherenforcedcalm。Aslowflushmountedintoherpalecheeksandthendiedaway，againleavingthemwhiterthanbefore。"Idonotknow—oh，Idonotknowwhattobelieve。"

"ButyoudonotthinkMr。Graumanncapableofsuchacrime，doyou？"

"Notoftherobbery，ofcoursenot；thatwouldbeabsurd！Buthasitbeenclearlyproventhatthereisarobbery？Mightitnothavebeen—mighttheynothave—"

"Youmean，mighttheynothavequarreled？Ofcoursethereisthatpossibility。AndthatiswhyIwantedtospeaktoyou。Youaretheonepersonwhocouldpossiblythrowlightonthissubject。

Wasthereanyotherreasonbeyondthedeadman’spastthatwouldrenderyourguardianunwillingtohaveyoumarryhim？"

AgaintheslowflushmountedtoEleonoraRoemer’scheeksandherheaddrooped。

"Ifearitmaybepainfulforyoutoanswerthis，"saidMullergently，"andyetImustinsistonitintheinterestofjustice。"

"He—myguardian—wishedtomarrymehimself，"thegirl’swordscameslowlyandpainfully。

Mullerdrewinhisbreathsosharplythatitwasalmostlikeawhistle。"Hedidnottellmethat；itmightmakeadifference。"

"That……thatis……whatIfear，"saidthegirl，hereyeslookingkeenlyintothoseofthemanwhosatopposite。"Andthen，itwashisrevolver。"

"Thenyoudobelievehimguilty？"

"Itwouldbehorrible，horrible—andyetIdonotknowwhattothink。"

Therewassilenceintheroomforamoment。MissRoemer’sheaddroopedagainandherhandstwistednervouslyinherlap。Muller’sbrainwasverybusywiththisnewphaseoftheproblem。Finallyhespoke。

"Letusdismissthissideofthequestionandtalkofanotherphaseofit，aphaseofwhichitisnecessaryformetoknowsomething。

Youwouldnaturallybethepersonnearestthedeadman，theone，theonlyone，perhaps，towhomhehadgivenhisconfidence。Doyouknowofanyenemieshemighthavehadinthecity？"

"No，Idonotknowofanyenemies，orevenofanyfriendshehadthere。Whentheterriblethinghappenedthatcloudedhispast，whenhehadregainedhisfreedom，afterhistermofimprisonment，therewasnooneleftwhomhecaredtoseeagain。Hedoesnotseemtohaveborneanymalicetowardsthebankerwhoaccusedhimofthetheft。Theevidencewassostrongagainsthimthathefeltthesuspicionwasjustified。Buttherewashatredinhisheartforoneman，fortheJusticewhosentencedhim，JusticeSchmidt，whoisnowAttorneyGeneralinG—。"

"Themanwho，inthenameoftheState，willconductthiscase？"

askedMullerquickly。

"Yes，Ibelieveitisso。Isitnotanironythatthisman，theonlyonewhomJohnreallyhated，shouldbetheonetoavengehimnow？"

"H’m！yes。ButdidyouknowofanyfriendsinG—？"

"No，noneatall。"

"NofriendswhomhemighthavemadewhilehewasinAmericaandthenmetagaininGermany？"

"No，heneverspokeofanysuchtome。Hetoldmethathemadefewfriends。Hedidnotseekthemforhewasafraidthattheymightfindoutwhathadhappenedandturnfromhim。Hewasmorbidlysensitiveandcouldnotbearthedisappointment"

"WhydidhereturntoGermany？"

"Hewaslonelyandwantedtocomehomeagain。HehadmademoneyinAmerica—Johnwasverycleverandhighlyeducated—buthisheartlongedforhisowntongueandhisownpeople。"

Mullertookafoldedpieceofpaperfromhispocket。"Doyouknowthishandwriting？"

MissRoemerreadthefewlineshastilyandhervoicetrembledasshesaid："ThisisJohn’shandwriting。Iknowitwell。Thisistheletterthatwasfoundonthetable？"

"Yes，thisletterappearstobethelasthehadwritteninlife。

Doyouknowtowhomitcouldhavebeenwritten？Theenvelope，asIsupposeyouknowfromthenewspaperreports，wasnotaddressed。

Doyouknowofanyfriendswithwhomhecouldhavebeenontermsofsufficientintimacytowritesuchaletter？Doyouknowwhattheseplansforthefuturecouldhavebeen？Itwouldcertainlybenaturalthatheshouldhavespokentoyoufirstaboutthem。"

"No；Icannotunderstandthisletteratall，"repliedthegirl。"I

havethoughtofitfrequentlytheseterribledays。Ihavewonderedwhyitwasthatifhehadfriendsinthecity，hedidnotspeaktomeofthem。Herepeatedlytoldmethathehadnofriendsthereatall，thathislifeshouldbeginanewafterweweremarried。"

"Anddidhehaveanyparticularplans，inabusinessway，perhaps？"

"No；hehadacomfortablelittleincomeandneedhavenofearforthefuture。Johnwas，ofcourse，tooyoungamantosettledownanddonothing。Buttheonlydefiniteplanshehadmadewerethatweshouldtravelalittleatfirst，andthenhewouldlookabouthimforacongenialoccupation。Ialwaysthoughtitlikelyhewouldresumealawpracticesomewhere。Icannotunderstandintheslightestwhattheplansaretowhichtheletterreferred。"

"Anddoyouthink，fromwhatyouknowofhisstateofmindwhenyousawhimlast，thathewouldbelikelysosoontobeplanningpleasureslikethis？"

"No，noindeed！Johnwasterriblycrushedwhenmyguardianinsistedonbreakingoffourengagement。Untilmytwenty—fourthbirthdayI

amstillboundtodoasmyguardiansays，youknow。John’slifeandearlymisfortunemadehim，asIhavealreadysaid，morbidlysensitiveandthethoughtthatitwouldbeabartoanythingwemightplaninthefuture，hadrenderedhimsodepressedthat—anditwasnottheleastofmyanxietiesandmytroubles—thatIfeared……Ifearedanythingmighthappen。"

"Youfearedhemighttakehisownlife，doyoumean？"

"Yes，yes，thatiswhatIfeared。Butisitnotterribletothinkthatheshouldhavediedthisway—bythehandofamurderer？"

"H’m！Andyoucannotrememberanypossiblefriendhemayhavefound—someschoolboyfriendofhisyouth，perhaps，withwhomhehadagainstruckupanacquaintance。"

"Oh，no，no，Iampositiveofthat。Johncouldnotbeartohearthenamesevenofthepeoplehehadknownbeforehismisfortune。

Still，Idorememberhisoncehavingspokenofaman，aGermanhehadmetinChicagoandrathertakenafancyto，andwhohadalsoreturnedtoGermany。"

"Couldthispossiblyhavebeenthemantowhomtheletterisaddressed？"

"No，no。ThisfriendofJohn’swasnotmarried；Irememberhissayingthat。AndhelivedinGermanysomewhere—letmethink—yes，inFrankfort—on—Main。"

"Anddoyouremembertheman’sname？"

"No，Icannot，Iamsorrytosay。Johnonlymentioneditonce。ItwasonlybyagreateffortthatIcouldremembertheincidentatall。"

"Andhasitnotstruckyouasratherpeculiarthatthisfriend，theonetowhomthecordialletterwasaddressed，didnotcomeforwardandmakehisidentityknown？G—isacity，itistrue，butitisnotaverylargecity，andanymanbeingontermsofintimateacquaintancewithonewhowasmurderedwouldbeapttocomeforwardinthehopeofthrowingsomelightonthemystery。"

"Why，yes，Ihadnotthoughtofthat。Itispeculiar，isitnot？

Butsomepeoplearesofoolishlyafraidofhavinganythingtodowiththepolice，youknow。"

"Thatisverytrue，MissRoemer。StillitisaqueerincidentandsomethingthatImustlookinto。"

"Whatdoyoubelieve？"askedthegirltensely。

"Iamnotinapositiontosayasyet。WhenIam，Iwillcometoyouandtellyou。"

"ThenyoudonotthinkthatmyguardiankilledJohn—thattherewasaquarrelbetweenthemen？"

"Thereis，ofcourse，apossibilitythatitmayhavebeenso。YouknowyourguardianbetterthanIdo，naturally。Ourknowledgeofaman’scharacterisoftenafarbetterguidethananycircumstantialevidence。"

"Myguardianisamanofthegreatestuprightnessofcharacter。Buthecanbeveryhardandpitilesssometimes。Andhehasaviolenttemperwhichhisweakhearthasforcedhimtokeepincontroloflateyears。"

"Allthisspeaksforthepossibilitythattheremayhavebeenaquarrelendinginthefatalshot。ButwhatIwanttoknowfromyouisthis—doyouthinkitpossible，that，thishavinghappened，AlbertGraumannwouldnothavebeenthefirsttoconfesshisunpremeditatedcrime？Isnotthisthemostlikelythingforamanofhischaractertodo？Wouldhesostubbornlydenyit，ifithadhappened？"

Thegirlstarted。"Ihadnotthoughtofthat！Why，why，ofcourse，hemighthavekilledJohninamomentoftemper，buthewasneveramantoconcealafault。Heisaspitilesstowardshisownweakness，astowardsthatofothers。Youareright，oh，youmustberight。Oh，ifyoucouldtakethisawfulfearfrommyheart！

EvenmygriefforJohnwouldbeeasiertobearthen。"

Mullerrosefromhischair。"IthinkIcanpromiseyouthatthisloadwillbeliftedfromyourheart，MissRoemer。"

"Thenyoubelieve—thatitwasjustacaseofmurderforrobbery？

Forthemoney？AndJohnhadsomevaluablejewelry，Iknowthat。"

"Idonotknowyet，"repliedMullerslowly，"butIwillfindout，Igenerallydo。"

"Oh，tothinkthatIshouldhavedonethatpoormansuchaninjustice！Itisterrible，terrible！Thishousehasbeenghastlythesedays。Hispoorauntknowsthatheisinnocent—shecouldneverbelieveotherwise—shehasfeltthehideoussuspicioninmymind—ithasmadehersufferingworse—willtheyeverforgiveme？"

"Herjoy，ifIcanfreehernephew，willmakeherforgeteverything。

Gotohernow，MissRoemer，comfortherwiththeassurancethatyoualsobelievehimtobeinnocent。ImusthastenbacktoG—andgoonwiththisquest。"

Thegirlstoodatthedoorwayshadedbytheoverhangingbranchesoftwogreattrees，lookingdownthestreetaftertheslightfigureofthedetective。"Oh，itisalleasiertohear，hardasitis，easiernowthatthishorriblesuspicionhasgonefrommymind—whydidI

notthinkofthatbefore？"

AloneinthecornerofthesmokingcompartmentinthetraintoG—，Mullerarrangedinhismindthefactshehadalreadygathered。HehadquestionedtheservantsofJohnSiders’formerhousehold，hadfoundthatthedeadmanreceivedveryfewletters，onlyanoccasionalbusinesscommunicationfromhisbank。Ofthefewothers，theservantsknewnothingexceptthathehadalwaysthrowntheenvelopescarelesslyinthewastepaperbasketandhadneverseemedtohaveanycorrespondencewhichhecaredtoconceal。NofriendfromelsewherebadevervisitedhiminGrunau，andhehadmadefewfriendsthereexcepttheGraumannfamily。

Thefactsofthecase，asheknewthemnow，weresuchastomakeitextremelydoubtfulthatGraumannwasthemurderer。Mullerhimselfhadbeeninclinedtobelieveinthepossibilityofaquarrelbetweenthetwomen，particularlywhenhehadheardthatGraumannhimselfwasinlovewithhishandsomeward。Butthesecondthoughtthatcametohimthen，impelledbytheunerringinstinctthatsooftenguidedhimtothetruth，wastheassurancethatinacaseofthiskind，inacaseofaquarrelterminatingfatally，amanlikeAlbertGraumannwouldbetheveryfirsttogivehimselfuptothepoliceandtotellthefactsofthecase。AlbertGraumannwasamanofhonourandunimpeachableintegrity。Suchamanwouldnotpersistinafoolishdenialofthedeedwhichhehadcommittedinamomentoftemper。Therewouldbenothingtogainfromit，andhisownconsciencewouldbehisseverestjudge。"Thedisorderintheroom？"thoughtMuller。"It’llbetoolateforthatnow。I

supposetheyhaverearrangedtheplace。Icanonlygobywhatthelocaldetectiveshaveseen，bythepolicereports。ButIdonotunderstandthisextremedisorder。Thereisnoreasonwhythereshouldbeastrugglewhentherobberwasarmedwithapistol。IfSiderswassupposedtohavebeeninterruptedwhenwritingaletter，interruptedbyathiefcomewithintenttosteal，athiefarmedwitharevolver，thesightofthisweaponalonewouldbesufficienttoinsurehisnotmovingfromhisseat。Icanunderstandtheopendrawersandcupboard；thatisexplainedbythethief’shastysearchforbooty。Butthetornwindowcurtainandtheoverturnedchairsarepeculiar。

"OfcoursethereisalwaysapossibilitythatthethiefmighthaveenteredoneroomwhileSiderswasintheother；thatthelattermighthavesurprisedtherobberinhissearchformoneyorvaluables，andthattheremighthavebeenahand—to—handstrugglebeforetheintrudercouldpullouthisrevolver。Oh，ifIcouldonlyhaveseenthebody！Thisisworkingunderterrificdifficulties。Themarksofahand—to—handstrugglewouldhavebeenveryplainontheclothesandonthepersonofthemurderedman。Butthisletter？Idonotunderstandthisletteratall。Itisthedeadman’shandwriting，thatweknow，butwhydidnotthefriendtowhomitwasaddressedcomeforwardandmakehimselfknown？AsfarasIcanlearnfromthepolicereportsinG—，therewasnopersonalinterestshown，nopersonalinquiriesmadeaboutthedeadman。Therewasonlythenaturalexcitementthatamurderwouldcreate。Nowafamily，expectingtomakeapleasureexcursionwithafriendinadayortwoandsuddenlyhearingthatthisfriendhadbeenfoundmurderedinhislodgings，wouldbeinclinedtotakesomelittlepersonalinterestinthematter。Thesepeoplemusthavebeenintownandathome，fortheexcursionspokenofintheletterwastooccurtwodaysafterthemurder。MissRoemer’sremarkaboutthedreadthatsomepeoplehaveastoanyconnectionwiththepolice，istruetoalimitedextentonly。Itistrueonlyoftheignorantmind，notofamanpresumablywell—to—doandproperlyeducated。Idonotunderstandwhythemantowhomthisletterwasaddressedhasnotmadehimselfknown。Theonlyexplanationis—thattherewasnosuchman！"Asuddensharpwhistlebrokefromthedetective’slips。

"Imustexaminethedeadman’spersonaleffects，hisbaggage，hispapers；theremaybesomethingthere。HisqueerlettertoGraumann—hisdesirethatthelatter’svisitshouldbekeptsecret—avisitwhichapparentlyhadnocauseatall，excepttogetGraumanntothehouse，togethimtothehouseinawaythatheshouldbeseencoming，butshouldnotbeseengoingaway。Whatdoesthismean？

"GraumannwastheonlypersonagainstwhomSidershadanactivecauseofquarrelforthemoment。Therewasoneothermanwhomhehated，andthisothermanwastheprosecutingattorneywhowouldconductanycaseofmurderthatcameupinthetownofG—。

"NowJohnSidersisfoundmurdered—isfoundkilled，inhislodgings，themorningafterhehasarrangedthingssothathisantagonist，hisrivalinlove，AlbertGraumann，shallcomeundersuspicionofhavingmurderedhim……

"Whatevidencehavewethatthismandidnotcommitsuicide？Wehavetheevidenceofthedisorderintheroom，adisorderthatcouldhavebeenmadejustaswellbythemanhimselfbeforeheendedhisownlife。Wehavetheevidenceofalettertosomeunknown，makingplansforpleasureduringthenextdays，andspeakingoffurtherplans，presumablyconcerningbusiness，forthefuture。InatownthesizeofG—，whereeveryonemusthavereadofthemurder，noonehascomeforwardclaimingtobethefriendforwhomthisletterwaswritten。UntilthisUnknownmakeshimselfknown，theletterasanevidencepointsrathertopremeditatedsuicidethantothecontrary。Oh，ifIcouldonlyhaveseenthebody！Theytellmethepistolwasfoundsomelittledistancefromthebody。Isitatalllikelythatamurdererwouldgoawayleavingsuchevidencebehindhim？IfGraumaunhadkilledSidersinahastyquarrel，hemightpossibly，inhisexcitement，havelefthisrevolver。ButI

havealreadydisposedofthispossibility。Amanofsufficientbrainstosocarefullyplanhissuicideastoconcealeverytraceofitandcastsuspicionuponthemanwhohadmadehimunhappy，suchaonewouldbequitecleverenoughtothrowthepistolfarawayfromhisbodyandtoleavenotracesofpowderonhiscoatoranysuchotherevidence。

"IfIweretosaynowwhatIthink，IwouldsaythatJohnSidersdeliberatelytookhisownlifeandplanneditinsuchawayastocastsuspicionuponAlbertGraumann。Butthatwouldindeedbeaterriblerevenge。AndImusthavesometangibleproofofitbeforeanycourtwillacceptmybelief。Thisproofmustbehiddensomewhere。Thethingformetodoistofindit。"

TheevidencegatheredatthetimeofthedeathwenttoshowthatSidershadbeenpaidaconsiderablesumincashforthesaleofhispropertyatGrunau。AndtherewasnotraceofhishavingdepositedthissuminanybankinG—orinGrunau，inbothofwhichplaceshehaddepositedothersecurities。Thereforethemoneyhadpresumablybeeninhisroomatthetimeofhisdeath。

Asearchhadbeenmadeforthismoneyineverypossibleplaceofconcealmentamongthedeadman’sbelongings，andithadnotbeenfound。MulleraskedthePoliceCommissionertogivehimthekeytotherooms，whichwerestillofficiallyclosed，andalsothekeystothedeadman’spiecesofbaggage。CommissionerLangeseemedtothinkallthisextrasearchquiteunnecessary，asitdidnotoccurtohimthatanythingelsewastobelookedforexceptthemoney。

ItwasquitelatewhenMullerbeganhisexaminationofthedeadman’seffects。Hewasstruckbythefactthattherewasscarcelyabitofpapertobefoundanywhere，noletters，nobusinesspapers，exceptbankbooksshowingtheamountofhissecuritiesinthebankinG—andinGrunau，andgivingfactsaboutsomeinvestmentsinChicago。Therewasnothingofmorerecentdateandnopersonalcorrespondencewhatever。ThesamewastrueofthepocketsofthesuitSidershadbeenwearingatthetimeofhisdeath。Amanofanypropertyorpositionatallintheworldgathersabouthimsomuchofthiskindofmaterialthatitsabsenceshowspremeditation。

ThesuitSidershadbeenwearingwhenhewaskilledwaslyingonthetableintheroom。Itwasaplaingreybusinesssuitofgoodcutandmaterial。Thebodyhadbeenpreparedforburialinabeseemingsuitofblack。Mullermadeacarefulexaminationoftheclothes，andfoundonlywhatthepolicereportsshowedhimhadalreadybeenfoundbytheexaminationmadebythelocalauthorities。

Uponasecondcarefulexamination，however，hefoundthatinoneofthevestpocketstherewasalittleextrapocket，likeachangepocket，andinithefoundacrumpledpieceofpaper。Hetookitout，smoothedandreadit。Itwasapostofficereceiptforaregisteredletter。Thedatewasstillclear，butthenameofthepersontowhomtheletterhadbeenaddressedwasillegible。Thecreasesofthepaperandacertaindampness，asifithadbeeninadvertentlytouchedbyawetfinger，hadsmearedthewriting。

ButtheletterhadbeensentthedaybeforethedeathofJohnSiders，andithadbeenregisteredfromthemainpostofficeinG—。ThiswassufficientforMuller。Thenheturnedtothedesk。

Herealsotherewasnothingthatcouldhelphim。Butasuddenthought，cametohim，andhetookuptheblottingpad。This，tohisdelight，wasintheformofabookwithahandsomeembroideredcover。Itlookedcomparativelynewandwas，asMullersurmised，agiftfromMissRoemertoherbetrothed。Butfewofthepageshadbeenused，andontwoofthemacloselywrittenletterhadbeenblottedseveraltimes，showingthattherehadbeenseveralsheetsoftheletter。Mullerheldituptothelooking—glass，buttherepeatedblottinghadblurredthewritingtosuchanextentthatitwasimpossibletodecipheranybutafewdisconnectedwords，whichgavenoclue。Onapagefurtheralongontheblotter，however，hesawwhatappearedtobetheimpressionofanaddress。Heheldituptotheglassandgaveawhistleofdelight。Thewordscouldbeplainlydecipheredhere：

MR。LEOPERNBURG，"FRANKFURTAMMAIN，"MAINZERLANDSTRASSE。"

andabovethenamewasasmearwhich，afteralittlestudy，couldbedecipheredasthewrittenword"Registered。"

Withthispageoftheblottercarefullytuckedawayinhispocketbook，Mullerhurriedtothepostoffice，arrivingjustatclosinghour。Hemadehimselfknownatoncetothepostmaster，andaskedtobeshowntherecordsofregisteredletterssentonacertaindate。HerehefoundscheduledaletteraddressedtoMr。

LeoPernburg，FrankfurtamMain，sentbyJohnSiders，G—，JosefStreet7。

MullerthenhastenedtothetelegraphofficeanddespatchedalengthytelegramtothepostalauthoritiesinFrankfurtamMain。

Whentheanswercametohimnextmorning，hepackedhisgripandtookthefirstexpresstrainleavingG—。Hefirstmadeashortvisit，however，toAlbertGraumann’scellintheprison。Mullerwasmuchtookind—heartednottorelievetheanxietyofthisman，towhomsuchmentalstrainmighteasilyprovefatal。HetoldGraumannthathewasgoinginsearchofevidencewhichmightthrowlightonthedeathofSiders，andcomfortedtheprisonerwiththeassurancethathe，Muller，believedGraumanninnocent，andbelievedalsothatwithinadayortwohewouldreturntoG—withproofsthathisbeliefwastherightone。

ThreedayslaterMullerreturnedtoGrunauandwentatoncetotheGraumannhome。Itwasquitelatewhenhearrived，buthehadalreadynotifiedMissRoemerbytelegramastohiscoming，witharequestthatsheshouldbereadytoseehim。Hefoundherwaitingforhim，paleandanxious—eyed，whenhearrived。"IhavebeentoFrankfurtamMain，"hesaid，"andIhaveseenMr。Pernburg—"

"Yes，yes，thatisthename；nowIremember，"interruptedthegirleagerly。"ThatisthenameofJohn’sfriendthere。"

"IhaveseenMr。Pernburgandhegavemethisletter。"Mullerlaidathickenvelopeonthegirl’slap。

Shelookeddownatit，hereyeswideningasifshehadseenaghost。

"That—thatisJohn’swriting，"sheexclaimedinahoarsewhisper。

"Wherediditcomefrom？"

"Pernburggaveittome。ThedaybeforehisdeathJohnSiderssenthimthisletter，requestingthatPernburgforwardittoyoubeforeacertaindate。WhenIexplainedthecircumstancestoMr。Pernburg，hegavemetheletteratonce。Ifeelthatthispaperholdsthecluetothemystery。Willyouopenit？"

Withtremblinghandsthegirltoreopentheenvelope。Itenclosedstillanothersealedenvelope，withoutanaddress。Buttherewasasheetofpaperaroundthisletter，onwhichwaswrittenthefollowing：

MybelovedEleonore：

BeforeyoureadwhatIhavetosaytoyouhereIwantyoutopromiseme，inmemoryofourloveandbyyourhopeoffuturesalvation，thatyouwilldowhatIaskyoutodo。

Iaskyoutogivetheenclosedletter，althoughitisaddressedtoyou，totheJudgewhowillpresideinthetrialagainstGraumann。

Theletteriswrittentoyouandwillbegivenbacktoyou。Foryou，thebelovedofmysoul，youaretheonlyhumanbeingwithwhomIcanstillcommunicate，towhomIcanstillexpressmywishes。

ButyoumustnotgivethelettertotheJudgeuntilyouhaveassuredyourselfthattheprosecutingattorneyinsistsuponGraumann’sguilt。

Incaseheisacquitted，whichIdonotthinkprobable，thenopenthisletterinthepresenceofGraumannhimselfandoneortwowitnesses。ForIwishGraumann，whoisinnocent，tobeabletoprovehisinnocence。

YouwillknowbythistimethatIhavedeterminedtoendmylifebymyownhand。Forgiveme，beloved。Icannotliveonwithoutyou—withoutthehonourofwhichIwasrobbedsounjustly。

Godblessyou。

Onewhowillloveyouevenbeyondthegrave，Rememberyourpromise。Itwasgiventothedead。

JOHN。

"Oh，whatdoesitallmean？"askedEleonora，droppingtheletterinherlap。

"ItisasIthought，"repliedMuller。"JohnSiderstookhisownlife，butmadeeveryarrangementtohavesuspicionfalluponGraumann。"

"Butwhy？oh，why？"

"Itwasaterriblerevenge。Butperhaps—perhapsitwasjustretribution。GraumaunwouldnotunderstandthatSiderscouldhavebeensuspectedof，andimprisonedfor，athefthehadnotcommitted。

Hemustknownowthatitisquitepossibleforamantobeindangerofsentenceofdeatheven，foracrimeofwhichheisinnocent。"

"Oh，myGod！Itisterrible。"Thegirl’sheadfellacrossherfoldedarmsonthetable。Deepshudderingsobsshookherframe。

Mullerwaitedquietlyuntilthefirstshockhadpassed。Finallyhersobsdiedawayandsheraisedherheadagain。"WhatamItodo？"sheasked。

"Youmustopenthisletterto—morrowinthepresenceofthePoliceCommissionerandGraumaun。"

"Butthispromise？Thispromisethatheasksofme—thatIshouldwaituntilthetrial？"

"Youhavenotgiventhispromise。Wouldyoutakeituponyourselftoendangeryourguardian’slifestillmore？Everyfurtherdayspentinhisprison，inthisanxiety，mightbefatal。"

"Butthispromise？ThepromisedemandedofmebythemantowhomIhadgivenmylove？Isitnotmydutytokeepit？"

Mullerrosefromhischair。Hisslightfigureseemedtogrowtaller，andthegentlenessinhisvoicegavewaytoacommandingtoneoffirmdecision。

"Ourdutyistotheliving，nottothedead。Thedeadhavenorighttodragdownothersafterthem。Believeme，MissRoemer，thepurposethatwasinyourbetrothed’smindwhenheendedhisownlife，hasbeenfulfilled。AlbertGraumannknowsnowwhatarethefeelingsofamanwhobearstheprisonstigmaunjustly。Hewillneveragainjudgehisfellow—menasharshlyashehasdoneuntilnow。Hissoulhasbeenpurgedintheseterribledays；haveyoutherighttoendangerhislifeneedlessly？"

"Oh，Idonotknow！Idonotknowwhattodo。"

"Ihavenochoice，"saidMullerfirmly。"ItismydutytomakeknownthefacttothePoliceCommissionerthatthereissuchaletterinexistence。ThePoliceCommissionerwillthenhavetofollowhisdutyindemandingtheletterfromyou。Mr。Pernburg，Sider’sfriend，sawthisargumentatonce。Althoughhealsohadaletterfromthedeadman，askinghimtosendtheenclosuretoyou，registered，onacertaindate，heknewthatitwashisdutytogiveallthepaperstotheauthorities。Woulditnotbebetterforyoutogivethemupofyourownfreewill？"Mullertookastepnearerthegirlandwhispered："Andwoulditnotbeanoblerevengeonyourpart？Youwouldbeindeedreturninggoodforevil。"

Eleonoraclaspedherhandsandherlipsmovedasifinsilentprayer。ThensheroseslowlyandheldouttheletterstoMuller。

"Dowhatyouwillwiththem，"shesaid。"Mystrengthisatanend。"

Thenextday，inthepresenceofCommissionerLangeandoftheaccusedAlbertGraumann，MulleropenedtheletterwhichhehadreceivedfromMissRoemerandreaditaloud。Thegirlherself，byherownrequest，wasnotpresent。BothMullerandGraumannunderstoodthatthestrainofthismessagefromthedeadwouldbetoomuchforhertobear。Thiswastheletter：

G。—September21st。

Mybeloved：

WhenyouputthisletterinthehandsoftheJudge，IwillhavefoundindeaththepeacethatIcouldneverfindonearth。TherewasnochanceofhappinessformesinceIhaverealisedthatIloveyou，thatyouloveme，andthatImustgiveyouupifIamtoremainwhatIhavealwaysbeen—inspiteofeverything—amanofhonour。

AlbertGraumannwouldkeephisword，thisIknow。Whereveryoumightfollowmeasmywife，therehiswillwouldhavebeenbeforeus，blastingmyreputation，blackeningtheflamewhichyouweretobear。

Icouldnothaveenduredit。Mysoulwassickofallthissecrecy，sickattheinjusticeofmankind。Inspiteofworldlysuccess，mylifewascoldandbarreninthestrangelandtowhichIhadfled。

MyhomecalledtomeandIcamebacktoit。

Ikissedtheearthofmyowncountry，andIweptatmymother’sgrave。Iwashappyagainundertheskieswhichhaddomedabovemychildhood。ForIamanhonestman，beloved，andIalwayshavebeen。

OnedayIsatattablebesidetheman—theJudgewhocondemnedme，hereinG—inthoseterribledays。Henaturallydidnotknowmeagain。I，myself，broughttheconversationaroundtoaprofessionalsubject。Iaskedhimifitwerenotpossiblethatcircumstantialevidencecouldlie；iftheentirepast，thereputationoftheaccusedwouldnotbeafactorinhisfavour。TheJudgedeniedit。

Itwashisopinion，beyondadoubt，thatcircumstantialevidencewassufficienttoconvictanyone。

Mysoulrosewithinme。Thisinfallibility，thislegalarrogance，arousedmyblood。"Thatmanshouldhavealesson！"Isaidtomyself。

ButIhadforgottenitall—allmyanger，allmyhatredandbitterness，whenImetyou。Idarenottrustmyselftothinkofyoutoomuch，nowthateverythingisarrangedfortheonelaststep。IttakesallmycontroltokeepmydecisionunwaveringwhileIsithereandtellyouhowmuchyourlove，yourgreattenderness，yoursweettrustinme，meanttome。

LetmetalkratherofAlbertGraumann。Iwillforgivehimforbelievinginmyguilt，butIcannotforgivehimthathe，themanofcultivationandmentalgrasp，couldnotbelieveitpossibleforaconvictedthieftohaverepentedandtohavelivedanhonestlifeaftertheatonementofhiscrime。IstillcannotbelievethatthiswasGraumann’sopinion。Iamforcedtothinkthatitwasanexcuseonlyonhispart，anexcusetokeepusapart，anexcusetokeepyouforhimself。

Youarelosttomenow。Thereisnothingmoreinlifeforme。Iftheinjusticeofmankindhasstainedmyhonourbeyondrepair，hasrobbedmeofeverychanceofhappinessatanytimeandinanyplace，thenIdieeasily，beloved，forthereislittlecharminsuchalifeaswouldbemineafterthis。

ButIdonotwishtodiequiteinvain。Therearetwomenwhohavetouchedmylife，whoneedthelessonmydeathcanteachthem。ThesemenareAlbertGraumannandtheprosecutingattorneyGustavSchmidt，themanwhooncecondemnedmesocruelly。Hispresentpositionwouldmakehimtherepresentativeofthestateinamurdertrial，andIknowhisopinionstoowellnottoforeseethathewoulddeclareGraumannguiltybecauseofthecircumstantialevidencewhichwillbeagainsthim。Myletter，giventothePresidingJudgeaftertheAttorneyhasmadehisspeech，willcausehimhumiliation，willruinhisbrilliantargumentsandcastridiculeuponhim。

Donotthinkmehardorrevengeful。Idonothateanyonenowthatdeathissonear。ButisitinhumanthatIshouldwanttoteachthesetwomenalesson？alessonwhichtheyneed，believeme，anditissuchaslightcompensationforthetorturetheselasteightyearshavebeentome！

AndnowIwillexplainindetailallthecircumstances。IhavearrangedthatAlbertGraumannshallcometomeontheeveningofSeptember23rdbetween7and8o’clock。Iaskedhimtodosobyletter，askinghimalsotokeepthefactofhisvisittomeasecret。

To—night，the22ndofSeptember，Ireceivedhisanswerpromisingthathewouldcome。ThereforeIcanlookuponeverythingthatistohappen，ashavingalreadyhappened，fornowthereneedbenofurtherchangeinmyplans。IwillsendthisletterthiseveningtomyfriendPernburginFrankfurtamMain。Incaseanythingshouldhappenthatwouldrenderimpossibleformetocarryoutmyplans，IwillsendPernburganotherletteraskinghimnottocarryouttheinstructionsofthefirst。

Icannowproceedtotellyouwhatwillhappenhereto—morrowevening，the23rdofSeptember。

AlbertGraumannwillcometome，unknowntohisfamilyorfriends，asIhaveaskedhimtocome。Iwillsoarrangeitthattheoldservantwillseehimcomeinbutwillnotseehimgoout。Mylandladywillnotbeinmyway，forshehasalreadytoldmethatshewillspendthenightofthe23rdwithhermother，inanotherpartofthecity。ItistobeabirthdaycelebrationIbelieve，sothatIcanbecertainherplanswillnotbechanged。

GraumannandIwillbealone，therefore，withnoreliablewitnessesnear。Iwillkeephimthereforalittlewhilewithcommonplaceconversation，forIhavenothingtosaytohim。IfhemovesnearthedeskIwillupsettheinkbottle。Thespotsonhisclotheswillbeanotherevidenceagainsthim。Iwillendeavourtogethimtokeepmyjewelrywhichis，asyouknow，ofconsiderablevalue。I

willtellhimthatIamgoingawayforawhileandaskhimtotakechargeofitforme。I，myself，willtakehimdowntothedoorandlethimout，whenIhavesatisfiedmyselfthattheoldservantisinbedoratleastatthebackofthehouse。TherevolverwhichshallendmymiseryisGraumann’sproperty。Itookitfromitsplacewithouthisknowledge。

The10，000guldenwhichItoldmylandladywerestillinthehouse，andwhichwouldthereforebethoughtmissingaftermydeath，IhavedepositedinabankinFrankfortinyourname。Hereisthecertificateofdeposit。

Iwillendeavournottoholdtherevolversufficientlyclosetohavethepowderburnmyclothes。AndIwillexerteveryeffortofmindandbodytothrowitfarfrommeafterIhavefiredthefatalshot。

IthinkthatIwillbeabletodothis，forIamaverygoodshotandIhavenofearofdeath。OnethingmoreIwilldo，toturnasideallsuspicionofsuicide。Iwillwritealettertosomepersonwhodoesnotexist，aletterwhichwillmakeitappearasifIwereinexcellenthumourandplanningforthefuture。

Andnow，good—byetolife。Peoplehavecalledmeeccentric，theymayberight。Thislastdeedofmineatleast，isoutoftheordinary。Noonewillsaynowthatendedmylifeinamomentofdarkenedmind，inarushofdespair。Mybrainisperfectlyclear，myheartbeatscalmly，nowthatIhavearrangedeverythingformydeparturefromthisworldoffalsehoodandunreality。Mylastdeedshallgotoprovetotheworldhowlittleactual，apparentfactscanbetrusted。

Theonethingreal，theonethingtrueinallthisworldoffalsehoodwasyourloveandyourtrust。Ithankyouforit。

THEODORBELLMANN，knownasJOHNSIDERS。

JosephMullerrefusestotakeanyparticularcreditforthiscase。

TheletterwouldhavecomeintimetopreventGraumann’sconvictionwithouthisassistance，hesays。TheonlypersonwhosegratitudehehasarighttoisProsecutingAttorneyGustavSchmidt。HemanagedtohavethePoliceCommissionerinG—readtheletterindetailtotheattorney。ButMullerhimselfknowsthatitfailedofitseffect，sofarasthatdignitarywasconcerned。Fornothingbutopenridiculecouldeverconvinceamanofsuchdecidedopinionsthatheisnottheoneinfalliblepersonintheworld。

ButAlbertGraumannhadlearnedhislesson。AndhetoldMullerhimselfthatthefewdaysoflifewhichmightremaintohimwereagifttohimfromthedetective。Hefeltthathisweakheartwouldnothavestoodthestrainandthedisgraceofanopentrial，evenifthattrialendedinacquittal。Twomonthslaterhewasfounddeadinhisbed，acalmsmileonhislips。

BeforehediedhehadlearnedthatitwastheUndauntedcourageofhistimidlittleoldauntthathadbroughtMullertotakechargeofthecaseandtofreeherbelovednephewfromthedreadedprison。

Andthelastdaysthatthesetwopassedtogetherwereveryhappy。

Butasaforesaid，Mullerrefusestohavethiscaseincludedinthelistofhissuccesses。Hedidnotchangetheultimateresult，hemerelyanticipatedit，hesays。