"And did it kill her at once?"
"Yes.Anyway she was unconscious when we came down.""Was the master at home?"
"Why, yes, it happened in the middle of the night.""She had a fever, didn't she? Had she been ill long?""No.She was in bed that day, but we thought it was nothing of importance.""These fevers come on quickly sometimes," remarked the old man wisely, and added: "This case interests the entire neighbourhood and I will show you that I can be grateful for anything you may tell me - of course, only what a faithful servant could tell.It will interest my customers very much.""You know all there is to know," said the valet, evidently disappointed that he had nothing to tell which could win the peddler's gratitude."There are no secrets about it.Everybody knows that they were a very happy couple, and even if there was a little talk between them on that day, why it was pure accident and had nothing to do with the mistress' excitement.""Then there was a quarrel between them?"
"Are people talking about it?"
"I've heard some things said.They even say that this quarrel was the reason for - her death.""It's stupid nonsense!" exclaimed the servant.The old peddler seemed to like the young man's honest indignation.
While they were talking, they had passed through a long corridor and the young man laid his hand on one of the doors as the peddler asked, "Can I see Miss Nanette alone?""Alone? Oho, she's engaged to me!"
"I know that," said the stranger, who seemed to be initiated into all the doings of this household."And I am an old man - all Imeant was that I would rather not have any of the other servants about.""I'll keep the cook out of the way if you want me to.""That would be a good idea.It isn't easy to talk, business before others," remarked the old man as they entered the room.It was a comfortably furnished and cozily warm apartment.Only two people were there, an old woman and a pretty young girl, who both looked up in astonishment as the men came in.
"Who's this you're bringing in, George?" asked Nanette.
"He's a peddler and he's got some trifles here you might like to look at.""Why, yes, you wanted a thimble, didn't you, Lena?" asked Nanette, and the cook beckoned to the peddler."Let's see what you've got there," she said in a friendly tone.The old man pulled out his wares from his pack; thimbles and scissors, coloured ribbons, silks, brushes and combs, and many other trifles.When the women had made their several selections they noticed that the old man was shivering with the cold, as he leaned against the stove.Their sympathies were aroused in a moment."Why don't you sit down?" asked Nanette, pushing a chair towards him, and Lena rose to get him something warm from the kitchen.
The peddler threw a look at George, who nodded in answer."He said he'd like to see the things they gave you after Mrs.Kniepp's death," the young man remarked "Do you buy things like that?" Nanette turned to the peddler.
"I'd just like to look at them first, if you'll let me.""I'd be glad to get rid of them.But I won't go upstairs, I'm afraid there.""Well, I'll get the things for you if you want me to," offered George and turned to leave the room.The door had scarcely closed behind him when a change came over the peddler.His old head rose from its drooping position, his bowed figure started up with youthful elasticity.
"Are you really fond of him?" he asked of the astonished Nanette, who stepped back a pace, stammering in answer: "Yes.Why do you ask? and who are you?""Never mind that, my dear child, but just answer the questions Ihave to ask, and answer truthfully, or it might occur to me to let your George know that he is not the first man you have loved.""What do you know?" she breathed in alarm.
The peddler laughed."Oho, then he's jealous! All the better for me - the Councillor was jealous too, wasn't he?" Nanette looked at him in horror.
"The truth, therefore, you must tell me the truth, and get the others away, so I can speak to you alone.You must do this - or else I'll tell George about the handsome carpenter in Church street, or about Franz Schmid, or - ""For God's sake, stop - stop - I'll do anything you say."The girl sank back on her chair pale and trembling, while the peddler resumed his pose of a tired old man leaning against the stove.When George returned with a large basket, Nanette had calmed herself sufficiently to go about the unpacking of the articles in the hamper.
"George, won't you please keep Lena out in the kitchen.Ask her to make some tea for us," asked Nanette with well feigned assurance.
George smiled a meaning smile and disappeared.
"I am particularly interested in the dead lady's gloves," said the peddler when they were alone again.
Nanette looked at him in surprise but was still too frightened to offer any remarks.She opened several boxes and packages and laid a number of pairs of gloves on the table.The old man looked through them, turning them over carefully.Then he shook his head:
"There must be some more somewhere," he said.Nanette was no longer astonished at anything he might say or do, so she obediently went through the basket again and found a little box in which were several pair of grey suede gloves, fastened by bluish mother-of-pearl buttons.One of the pairs had been worn, and a button was missing.
"These are the ones I was looking for," said the peddler, putting the gloves in his pocket.Then he continued: "Your mistress was rather fond of taking long walks by herself, wasn't she?"The girl's pale face flushed hotly and she stammered: "You know - about it?""You know about it also, I see.And did you know everything?""Yes, everything," murmured Nanette.
"Then it was you and Tristan who accompanied the lady on her walks?""Yes."
"I supposed she must have taken some one into her confidence.Well, and what do you think about the murder?""The Professor?" replied Nanette hastily."Why, what should I know about it?""The Councillor was greatly excited and very unhappy when he discovered this affair, I suppose?""He is still."
