"He was killed by a bullet," said Muller.

"Yes, that was it," replied the doctor. With the raising of the
body the dead man's waistcoat fell back into its usual position,
and they could see a little round hole in his shirt. The doctor
opened the shirt bosom and pointed to a little wound in the
Professor's left breast. There were scarcely three or four drops
of blood visible. The hemorrhage had been internal.

"He must have died at once, without suffering," said the physician.

"He killed himself - he killed himself," murmured Johann, as if
bewildered.

"It's strange that he should have found time to lay down the
revolver before he died," remarked Horn. Johann put out his hand
and raised the weapon before Horn could prevent him. "Leave that
pistol where it was," commanded the commissioner. "We have to look
into this matter more closely."

The doctor turned quickly. "You think it was a murder?" he
exclaimed. "The doors were both locked on the inside - where could
the murderer be?"

"I don't pretend to see him myself yet. But our rule is to leave
things as they are discovered, until the official examination.
Muller, did you shut the outer door?"

"Yes, sir; here is the key."