The housekeeper and the maid disappeared, and Janos went to the
stable to harness the Count's trap.

The magnate turned to the detective. "I thank you once more that
you have come to us. I appreciate it greatly that a stranger to
our part of the country, like yourself, should give his time and
strength to this problem of our obscure little village."

"There is nothing else calling me, sir," answered Muller. "And the
Budapest police will explain to headquarters at Vienna if I do not
return at once."

"Do you understand our tongue sufficiently to deal with these people
here?"

"Oh, yes; there will be no difficulty about that. I have hunted
criminals in Hungary before. And a case of this kind does not
usually call for disguises in which any accent would betray one."

"It is a strange profession," said the doctor.

"One gets used to it--like everything else," answered Muller, with
a gentle smile. "And now I have to thank you gentlemen for your
confidence in me."

"Which I know you will justify," said the Count.

Muller shrugged his shoulders: "I haven't felt anything yet--but
it will come--there's something in the air."