Part 16 (1/2)
STROEBEL. Perhaps our conversation tires you?
BEERMANN. Don't mention it. I simply cannot follow you so quickly, A moment ago you mentioned a diary, didn't you?
STROEBEL. Of this Hauteville woman.--Yes.
BEERMANN. Have you been through this diary?
STROEBEL. No. I have not had time yet.
BEERMANN. But you just spoke about some jesting comments in it.
STROEBEL. Only those I noticed in glancing through it.
BEERMANN [relieved]. Ah!
STROEBEL. Besides, I must tell you, Herr Beermann, that the contents of this book must remain a secret to you. My orders are not to show it to anyone.
BEERMANN. No, no. I don't want to know anything about it.
STROEBEL. You will find out everything later when the matter comes up in court.
BEERMANN [dismayed]. Will it be read there?
STROEBEL. Certainly. To-day I can only tell you that we will proceed vigorously. You can satisfy your society on that point.
BEERMANN [rising]. But that doesn't satisfy me at all. Think of the consequences.
STROEBEL [rising also]. What do you care about the consequences. Your society has its very high aims. Your propaganda states that you will prosecute the outcast of society with iron energy and now you see your ideals realized.
BEERMANN. Our propaganda states that we will intervene from national, moral and social viewpoints, to protect the marriage vows. If this scandal becomes public the marriage relations.h.i.+p will be undermined.
STROEBEL. What sort of moral viewpoint do you call that?
BEERMANN. It is the Society's. Don't you understand that the influential cla.s.s of society will be involved!
STROEBEL. Then that cla.s.s will have only itself to blame.
BEERMANN. That's out of the question. We must find a loop-hole.
STROEBEL. Within the scope of the law there are no loop-holes.
BEERMANN. Don't tell ME that. Well then, go around the law.
STROEBEL [surprised]. Herr Beermann!
BEERMANN. Of course! I have lived long enough to know that.
STROEBEL. I shall do my duty.
BEERMANN. Am I interfering with your duty? I belong to that cla.s.s of people who respect the police only because the police respect our social position.