Gentlemen take it off in my
apartment and hang it up in my wardrobe, and there I can inspect
it very thoroughly. It is truly remarkable how our respected
gentlemen still make formal social visits in costumes which have
so often been patched.
REISACHER [who up to this point apparently--without paying any
attention, has been sitting with his back toward them, turns half
way round]. Pardon me, Herr Assessor.
STROEBEL [impatiently]. Now what do you want?
REISACHER. Pardon me, Herr Assessor, shall I put all this talk
into the minutes?
STROEBEL. No, I will dictate to you later. [To Hauteville.] You
know that you are not here to amuse yourself.
HAUTEVILLE. I know that.
STROEBEL. Listen to me quietly. You hinted before that if we kept
you here another night you would confess everything. Well I tell
you here and now that we will not keep you here one, but a number
of nights. You can ease your conscience at once.
HAUTEVILLE. I would only make yours the heavier for it.
STROEBEL. My conscience?
HAUTEVILLE. Yes, if I tell you here, there will be no possibility
of a mistake, but everything must remain a mistake.
STROEBEL. I have patience with you, but I will not let you fool
me. Now get yourself together and consider every word. What must
remain a mistake?
HAUTEVILLE. Everything that has happened since Saturday night.
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