he money that was found in his pocket?" Muller's voice trailed
off into indistinctness at the last words, and the fire died out of his
eyes. Then he laughed aloud.

The commissioner smiled also, a good-natured smile, such as one would
give to a child who has been over-eager. "It doesn't matter to us where
the money came from. All that matters here is where the bullet came
from--the bullet which prevented his enjoying this money. And it is
of more interest to us to find out who robbed him of his life and his
property, rather than the source from which this property came."

The commissioner's tone was friendly, but Muller's face flushed red, and
his, head dropped. Riedau turned to Bormann and continued: "And because
it is of no interest to us where his money came from--for it can
have nothing whatever to do with his murder and the subsequent
robbery--therefore what you noticed of his behaviour cannot be of any
importance or bearing in the case in any way. Unless, indeed, you should
find out anything more. But we appreciate the thoughtfulness of yourself
and your employer and your readiness to help us."

Bormann rose to leave, but the commissioner put out a hand to stop him.
"A few moments more, please; you may know of something else that will
be of assistance to us. We have heard that Winkler boasted of his
belongings-did he talk about his private affairs in any way?"

"No, sir, I do not think he did."

"You say that he destroyed the note at once, evidently realising that no
one must see it--this note may have been a promise for the money which
had not yet come. Did he, however, tell any one later that he expected a
certain sum? Do you think he would have been likely to tell any one?"

"No, I do not think that he would tell any one. He never mentioned
to any of us that he had received money, or even that he expected to
receive it. None of us knew what outside resources he might have, or
whence they came. If it had not been that the money was paid him by the
carrier in the office two or three times--so, that we could see it--we
would none of us have known of this income, except for the fact that he
was freer in spending after the money came. He would dine at expensive
restaurants, and this fact he would mention to us, whereas at other
times he would go to the cheap cafe."

"Do you know anything about the people he was acquainted with outside
the office?"

"No, sir. I seldom met him outside of the office. One evenin