“And let us blunder on in our official stupidity and blindness?” interrupted the commissioner, a faint smile breaking the gravity of his face. “We certainly gave you every opportunity.”
“But there’s an innocent man accused--suffering fear of death--justice must be done. But, sir,” Muller took the warrant the commissioner handed across the table to him. “May I not make it as easy as I can for Mr. Thorne--I mean, bring him here with as little publicity as possible? His wife is with him in Venice.”
“Poor little woman, it’s terrible! Do whatever you think best, Muller. You’re a queer mixture. Here you’ve hounded this man down, followed hot on his trail when not a soul but yourself connected him in any way with the murder. And now you’re sorry for him! A soft heart like yours is a dangerous possession for a police detective, Muller. It’s no aid to our business.”
“Well take care it doesn’t run away with you this time. Don’t let Herbert Thorne escape, however much pity you may feel for him.”
“I doubt if he’ll want to sir, as long as another is in prison for his crime.
“But he may make his confession and then try to escape the disgrace.”
“Yes, sir, I’ve thought of that. That’s why I want to go to Venice myself. And then, there’s the poor young wife, he must think of her when the desire comes to end his own life...”
“Yes! Yes! This terrible thing has shaken us both up more than a little. I feel exhausted. You look tired yourself, Muller. Go home now, and get some rest for your early start. Good-night.”
A wonderfully beautiful night lay over the fair old city of Venice when the Northern Express thundered over the long bridge to the railway station. A passenger who was alone in a second-class compartment stood up to collect his few belongings. Suddenly he looked up as he heard a voice, a voice which he had learned to know only very recently, calling to him from the door of the compartment.
“Why! you were in the train too? You have come to Venice?” exclaimed Joseph Muller in astonishment as he saw Mrs. Bernauer standing there before him.
“Yes, I have come to Venice too. I must be with my dear lady--when--when Herbert--” She had begun quite calmly, but she did not finish her sentence, for loud sobs drowned the words.