BEERMANN. Although you know that thus public decency will be
undermined. [Stroebel shrugs his shoulders.] Although the State
will suffer by it?
STROEBEL [again shrugs his shoulders]. Well ...
BEERMANN. The Administration knows very well the sort of
conservative element there is in the Society for the Suppression
of Vice.
STROEBEL. Yes, and values it highly.
BEERMANN. Let us suppose--I do not know if it be so--but let us
just suppose that only one member of the Society once had a weak
little moment and his name were in this book ...
STROEBEL [energetically]. Then he would be summoned to court
without regard or mercy.
BEERMANN. And the whole Society would be made ridiculous and would
go up in the air.
STROEBEL [shrugs his shoulders]. Well ...
BEERMANN [shouts]. That is the height of folly, I tell you!
STROEBEL [instructively]. It is the fulfilment of our duty. You
are a layman. With you sentiments play an important part. We, the
police, on the other hand are compelled to sacrifice our feelings
to our duty.
BEERMANN [holding his hands to his ears]. Oh, stop that!
STROEBEL. Official duty blocks our way.
BEERMANN [angrily]. But even a jackass can jump over blocks.
STROEBEL [offended]. Her? Beermann, I did not hear that remark.
BEERMANN. Let me tell you something! Do you know what we have been
doing for the past three weeks? .
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