Struck by Christian’s terrible seriousness Dr. Voltolini said: “I don’t mean to be inquisitive. But may I ask what that task is?”
“To find the man who murdered Ruth Hofmann.”
“How?” The physician was utterly astonished. “But I thought that the ... murderer had been arrested.”
Christian shook his head. “It is not the right man,” he said, softly but with assurance. “I saw him. I saw him when he appeared before the investigating judge. I knew him before the crime too. He is not the murderer.”
“That sounds strange,” said Dr. Voltolini. “Is that merely your personal opinion, or do the authorities also——?”
“It’s not an opinion,” Christian said meditatively. “Perhaps it’s more, perhaps it’s less—quite as one chooses. I don’t know what the authorities suspect. Undoubtedly they consider Joachim Heinzen the murderer. He has confessed, but I consider his confession false.”
“Did you express that opinion before the judge?”
“No. How could I have done that? I haven’t even a legitimate suspicion. Only I know that the man who is now held is not the murderer.”
“But how do you expect to find the real criminal, if you haven’t even a suspicion?”
“I don’t know, but I must do it.”