For I wish Graumann, who is innocent, to be able to
prove his innocence.
You will know by this time that I have determined to end my life by
my own hand. Forgive me, beloved. I cannot live on without you
--without the honour of which I was robbed so unjustly.
God bless you.
One who will love you even beyond the grave,
Remember your promise. It was given to the dead.
JOHN.
"Oh, what does it all mean?" asked Eleonora, dropping the letter
in her lap.
"It is as I thought," replied Muller. "John Siders took his own
life, but made every arrangement to have suspicion fall upon
Graumann."
"But why? oh, why?"
"It was a terrible revenge. But perhaps--perhaps it was just
retribution. Graumaun would not understand that Siders could have
been suspected of, and imprisoned for, a theft he had not committed.
He must know now that it is quite possible for a man to be in danger
of sentence of death even, for a crime of which he is innocent."
"Oh, my God! It is terrible." The girl's head fell across her
folded arms on the table. Deep shuddering sobs shook her frame.
Muller waited quietly until the first shock had passed. Finally
her sobs died away and she raised her head again. "What am I to
do?" she asked.
"You must open this letter to-morrow in the presence of the Police
Commissioner and Graumaun."
"But this promise? This promise that he asks of me--that I should
wait until the trial?"
"You have not given this promise.
Pages:
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63