n him, and let them take him away without any resistance.
He was put on the evening express for Vienna, and taken to Police
Headquarters in that city. He made no protest nor any attempt to escape,
but he refused to utter a word on the entire journey.

CHAPTER VI. ALMOST CONVICTED

The evening was already far gone when Muller entered Riedau's office.

"You're in time, the man isn't here yet. The train is evidently late,"
said the commissioner. "We're working this case off quickly. We will
have the murderer here in half an hour at the latest. He did not have
much time to enjoy the stolen property. He was here in Vienna this
morning, and was arrested in Pressburg this afternoon. Here is the
telegram, read it."

Dr. von Riedau handed Muller the message. The commissioner was evidently
pleased and excited. The telegram read as follows: "Man arrested here in
possession of described purse containing four ten gulden notes and
four guldens in silver. Arrested in store of second-hand clothes dealer
Goldstamm. Will arrive this evening in Vienna under guard."

The message was signed by the Chief of the Pressburg police.

Muller laid the paper on the desk without a word. There was a watch on
this desk already; it was a heavy gold watch, unusually thick, with the
initials L. W. on the cover. Just as Muller laid down the telegram, a
door outside was opened and the commissioner covered the watch hastily.
There was a loud knock at his own door and an attendant entered to
announce that the party from Pressburg had arrived He was followed by
one of the Pressburg police force, who brought the official report.

"Did you have any difficulty with him?" asked the commissioner.

"Oh, no, sir; it was a very easy job. He made no resistance at all,
and he seems to be quite sober now. But he hasn't said a word since we
arrested him."

Then followed the detailed report of the arrest, and the delivery of the
described pocketbook to the commissioner.

"Is that all?" asked Dr. von Riedau.

"Yes, sir."

"Then you may go home now, we will take charge of the man."

The policeman bowed and left the room. A few moments later the tramp was
brought in, guarded by two armed roundsmen. His guards remained at the
door, while the prisoner himself walked forward to the middle of the
room. Commissioner von Riedau sat at his desk, his clerk beside him
ready to take down the evidence. Muller sat near a window with a paper
on his lap, looking the