"Yes, His Grace telegraphed to Budapest," answered the district
judge, looking at his watch. "And if the train is on time, the man
we are waiting for ought to be here in an hour. You sent the
carriage to the station, didn't you? Is the driver reliable?"

"Yes, sir, he is a dependable man," said the 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