ficial undoing that
is, and compelled his retirement from the force. But his advice is often
sought unofficially by the Department, and to those who know, Muller's
hand can be seen in the unravelling of many a famous case.

The following stories are but a few of the many interesting cases that
have come within the experience of this great detective. But they give
a fair portrayal of Muller's peculiar method of working, his looking on
himself as merely an humble member of the Department, and the comedy
of his acting under "official orders" when the Department is in reality
following out his directions.

THE CASE OF THE GOLDEN BULLET

"Please, sir, there is a man outside who asks to see you."

"What does he want?" asked Commissioner Horn, looking up.

"He says he has something to report, sir."

"Send him in, then."

The attendant disappeared, and the commissioner looked up at the clock.
It was just striking eleven, but the fellow official who was to relieve
him at that hour had not yet appeared. And if this should chance to be
a new case, he would probably be obliged to take it himself. The
commissioner was not in a very good humour as he sat back to receive
the young man who entered the room in the wake of the attendant. The
stranger was a sturdy youth, with an unintelligent, good-natured face.
He twisted his soft hat in his hands in evident embarrassment, and his
eyes wandered helplessly about the great bare room.

"Who are you?" demanded the commissioner.

"My name is Dummel, sir, Johann Dummel."

"And your occupation?"

"My occupation? Oh, yes, I--I am a valet, valet to Professor Fellner."

The commissioner sat up and looked interested. He knew Fellner
personally and liked him. "What have you to report to me?" he asked
eagerly.

"I--I don't know whether I ought to have come here, but at home--"

"Well, is anything the matter?" insisted Horn.

"Why, sir, I don't know; but the Professor--he is so still--he doesn't
answer."

Horn sprang from his chair. "Is he ill?" he asked.

"I don't know, sir. His room is locked--he never locked it before."

"And you are certain he is at home?"

"Yes, sir. I saw him during the night--and the key is in the lock on the
inside."

The commissioner had his hat in his hand when the colleague who was
to relieve him appeared. "Good and cold out to-day!" was the latter's
greeting. Horn answered with an ironical: "Then I suppose you'll be glad
if I relieve you o