No, sir, at least the
letter of the law must be carried out. Madame Hauteville must give
a bond. She will be set free and then she must escape. That's the
only way we can protect ourselves from criticism. Do you
understand me?
BEERMANN. You mean ... about the bail?
STROEBEL. Yes, sir, the bail first of all. But if it were only the
bail! Just think! She doesn't want to go at all.
BEERMANN. She does not want to ...?
STROEBEL. No. I gave her another hearing this afternoon and told
her that we don't care to bother with her any more. "Listen," I
said to her, "you are lucky. Give bail of Five Thousand Marks, and
you will be free in ten minutes. There is a ten o'clock train for
Brussels tomorrow morning." [The bell in the hall rings.] What do
you suppose she said? She laughed. She knows very well why we are
so humane, but she will not give a bond of five marks, even if by
luck she had it. She says that she has already prepared for a
trial. I talked to her politely, then rudely. She will not budge.
She laughs and laughs and that's all. [Knock at the door. Maid
enters with a visiting card.]
BEERMANN [to the maid]. What does it all mean to-night, at this
hour? This is not a hotel. [Takes the card and reads.] Freiherr
Bodo von Schmettau, Herr auf Zirnberg?
STROEBEL. Do receive this gentleman, please.
BEERMANN. Now, while we are conferring?
STROEBEL.
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