avenge her. My entire fortune shall be given up for it. But bring
her picture now."

Berner brought the picture of a very pretty girl with a bright
intelligent face. Muller took the picture out of the frame and put
it in his pocket.

"You will come again? soon? And remember, I will give ten thousand
guldens to the man who saves Asta, or avenges her. Tell the police
to spare no expense - I will go to headquarters myself to-morrow."

Fellner was a little surprised that Muller, although he had already
taken up his hat, did not go. The sick man had seen the light flash
up in the eyes of the other as he named the sum. He thought he
understood this excitement, but it touched him unpleasantly and he
sank back, almost frightened, in his cushions as the detective bent
over him with the words "Good. Do not forget your promise, for I
will save Miss Langen or avenge her. But I do not want the money
for myself. It is to go to those who have been unjustly convicted
and thus ruined for life. It may give the one or the other of them
a better chance for the future."

"And you? what good do you get from that?" asked the old gentleman,
astonished. A soft smile illumined the detective's plain features
and he answered gently, "I know then that there will be some poor
fellow who will have an easier time of it than I have had."

He nodded to Fellner, who had already grasped his hand and pressed
it hard. A tear ran down his grey beard, and long after Muller had
gone the old gentleman lay pondering over his last words.