ld be called handsome in its even regularity of
feature and delicate skin, was very pale now, and around her eyes were
dark rings that spoke of sleepless nights. Grief and mental shock were
preying upon this girl's mind. "She is not the one to make a confidant
of those around her," thought Muller to himself. Then he added aloud:
"If it does not distress you too much to talk about this sad affair, I
will be very grateful if you will answer a few questions."

"I will tell you whatever I can," said the girl in the same low even
tone in which she had first spoken. "Miss Graumann tells me that you
have come from Vienna to take up this case. It is only natural that we
should want to give you every assistance in our power."

"What is your opinion about it?" was Muller's next remark, made rather
suddenly after a moment's pause.

The directness of the question seemed to shake the girl out of her
enforced calm. A slow flush mounted into her pale cheeks and then died
away, again leaving them whiter than before. "I do not know--oh, I do
not know what to believe."

"But you do not think Mr. Graumann capable of such a crime, do you?"

"Not of the robbery, of course not; that would be absurd! But has
it been clearly proven that there is a robbery? Might it not have
been--might they not have--"

"You mean, might they not have quarreled? Of course there is that
possibility. And that is why I wanted to speak to you. You are the one
person who could possibly throw light on this subject. Was there any
other reason beyond the dead man's past that would render your guardian
unwilling to have you marry him?"

Again the slow flush mounted to Eleonora Roemer's cheeks and her head
drooped.

"I fear it may be painful for you to answer this," said Muller gently,
"and yet I must insist on it in the interest of justice."

"He--my guardian--wished to marry me himself," the girl's words came
slowly and painfully.

Muller drew in his breath so sharply that it was almost like a whistle.
"He did not tell me that; it might make a difference."

"That... that is... what I fear," said the girl, her eyes looking keenly
into those of the man who sat opposite. "And then, it was his revolver."

"Then you do believe him guilty?"

"It would be horrible, horrible--and yet I do not know what to think."

There was silence in the room for a moment. Miss Roemer's head drooped
again and her hands twisted nervously in her lap. Muller's brain was
very bus