But I have your word of honor--have I not?
BEERMANN. My sacred word of honor.
STROEBEL [bends low and protects his mouth with his hand and
whispers]. That very night when Madame Hauteville's apartment was
raided, without our knowledge a very distinguished person was
hidden there.
BEERMANN. I can imagine.
STROEBEL [loudly]. You can't imagine it at all. [Whispering.] Our
young heir, Prince Emil, was there himself.
BEERMANN [surprised, slapping his thigh]. Now what do you think of
that!
STROEBEL [loudly]. You can understand that I am not telling you
this as a mere bit of gossip, but certain important reasons compel
me to. That which you mentioned before about the reasons of state
was fulfilled. Fulfilled to the very letter. All possibilities of
prosecuting this person at present have simply gone up in the air.
BEERMANN [starting from his seat]. Then everything is all right.
STROEBEL. There's nothing "all right" about it. Keep your seat,
Herr Beermann. Of course our desire to prosecute has disappeared,
but the lady in question is still at headquarters and we don't
know how to get rid of her.
BEERMANN. Madame Hauteville? [Stroebel nods.] Just forget to lock
the door and she'll vanish.
STROEBEL [shaking his head]. No, ... for a great many reasons. Do
you think I did not try hard to find a solution? First, if we
openly permit her to escape, the whole city will know it tomorrow;
the press will take it up and there will be a far greater scandal
than the court proceedings would cause.
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