The Case of the Pool of Blood in the Pastors Study | Page 7

old housekeeper.
Dr. Orszay entered the room just then and the Count introduced him to
the district judge, who was still a stranger to him.
"I fear, Count, that our eyes will serve but little in discovering the truth
of this mystery," said the doctor.
The nobleman nodded. "I agree with you," he replied. "And I have sent
for sharper eyes than either yours or mine."

The doctor looked his question, and the Count continued: "When the
news came to me I telegraphed to Pest for a police detective, telling
them that the case was peculiar and urgent. I received an answer as I
stopped at the station on my way here. This is it: 'Detective Joseph
Muller from Vienna in Budapest by chance. Have sent him to take your
case.'"
"Muller?" exclaimed Dr. Orszay. "Can it be the celebrated Muller, the
most famous detective of the Austrian police? That would indeed be a
blessing."
"I hope and believe that it is," said the Count gravely. "I have heard of
this man and we need such a one here that we may find the source of
these many misfortunes which have overwhelmed our peaceful village
for two years past. It is indeed a stroke of good luck that has led a man
of such gifts into our neighbourhood at a time when he is so greatly
needed. I believe personally that it is the same person or persons who
have been the perpetrators of all these outrages and I intend once for all
to put a stop to it, let it cost what it may."
"If any one can discover the truth it will be Muller," said the district
judge. "It was I who told the Count how fortunate we were that this
man, who is known to the police throughout Austria and far beyond the
borders of our kingdom, should have chanced to be in Budapest and
free to come to us when we called. You and I"--he turned with a smile
to the local magistrate--"you and I can get away with the usual cases of
local brutality hereabouts. But the cunning that is at the bottom of these
crimes is one too many for us."
The men had taken their places around the great dining-table. The old
housekeeper had crept out again, her terror making her forget her usual
hospitality. And indeed it would not have occurred to the guests to ask
or even to wish for any refreshment. The maid brought a lamp, which
sent its weak rays scarcely beyond the edges of the big table. The four
men sat in silence for some time.
"I suppose it would be useless to ask who has been coming and going
from the rectory the last few days?" began the Count.

"Oh, yes, indeed, sir," said the district judge with a sigh. "For if this
murderer is the same who committed the other crimes he must live here
in or near the village, and therefore must be known to all and not likely
to excite suspicion."
"I beg your pardon, sir," put in the doctor. "There must be at least two
of them. One man alone could not have carried off the farm hand who
was killed to the swamp where his body was found. Nor could one man
alone have taken away the bloody body of the pastor. Our venerable
friend was a man of size and weight, as you know, and one man alone
could not have dragged his body from he room without leaving an
easily seen trail."
The judge blushed, but he nodded in affirmation to the doctor's words.
This thought had not occurred to him before. In fact, the judge was
more notable for his good will and his love of justice rather than for his
keen intelligence. He was as well aware of this as was any one else, and
he was heartily glad that the Count had sent to the capital for
reinforcements.
Some time more passed in deep silence. Each of the men was occupied
with his own thoughts. A sigh broke the silence now and then, and a
slight movement when one or the other drew out his watch or raised his
head to look at the door. Finally, the sound of a carriage outside was
heard. The men sprang up.
The driver's voice was heard, then steps which ascended the stairs
lowly and lightly, audible only because the stillness was so great.
The door opened and a small, slight, smooth-shaven man with a gentle
face and keen grey eyes stood on the threshold. "I am Joseph Muller,"
he said with a low, soft voice.
The four men in the room looked at him in astonishment.
"This simple-looking individual is the man that every one is afraid of?"
thought the Count, as