This watch had been immediately identified as belonging to the murdered man.
It will be remembered that at the inquest it had been discovered that the watch usually worn by Henry Schulte, had been torn forcibly from the guard around his neck, and from that time all traces of it had disappeared, until this unexpected resurrection from under its covering of snow.
What made this discovery of more importance was the fact that the watch was found, not far from a fence bordering a road along which Bucholz was known to have traveled on the night of the murder while on his way to the village to give the alarm.

It verily seemed as though another link had been forged in the chain of evidence that was being drawn around him, and Bucholz realizing this felt his heart sink within him, as he listened to the loquacious visitor who seemed to be very well pleased in having something to tell.
Maintaining his composure, however, he listened to the recital without any evidence of emotion, and not one would have imagined that it had the slightest effect upon him other than that of curiosity, but after Paul Herscher had departed he threw himself upon his bed and sobbed bitterly.
In this condition he was found by Edward Sommers a few minutes afterwards, and almost immediately thereafter he was followed by the stealthy-moving Brown, who, passing the door of the cell occupied by Bucholz, and looking in, had discovered the strange proceedings that were taking place.
Posting himself upon the outside of the cell door Brown endeavored to listen to what ensued between the two men inside, but to his intense chagrin and disappointment he discovered that they were talking in German and he could not understand a word.
Sommers seated himself upon the bed beside his companion, and placing his hand upon his shoulder endeavored to solace him in his apparent distress.
"My dear fellow," said he, after Bucholz had told him the cause of his tears, "do not be so discouraged." "Ah, how can I help it," replied Bucholz, "when everything seems to be turning against me ?" "Never mind, Bucholz; you have good lawyers, and they will tell you what to do," said his companion, soothingly.

"Now, tell me, my friend, how many people ever saw this watch of Mr.Schulte?
If he made no friends, he could not have shown his watch to many people." "That is so," replied Bucholz, eagerly catching at the suggestion, and his face brightened at once.

"There is only one person who can identify it--the old man's former servant, Frank Bruner, and he must be got out of the way." Sommers gazed at his companion in astonishment.

The change in him was wonderful--the depression of spirits had disappeared entirely, and this effect had been produced by a proposition to _dispose_ of one who might prove a damaging witness against him.