honourable predecessor has permitted a state of affairs to obtain
that...! We will change all that by degrees--It is simply disgraceful for
a police official to permit himself to be deceived by any one. That is,
of course, entirely beyond your comprehension. [_To GLASENAPP._] Didn't
Motes say anything definite?
GLASENAPP
I can't say that he did--nothing definite. He was of the opinion that
your honour was informed....
WEHRHAHN
In a very general way, I am. I have had my eye on the man in question for
some time--on this Dr. Fleischer I mean. Mr. Motes simply confirmed me in
my own entirely correct judgment of his peculiar character.--What kind of
a reputation has Motes himself? [_GLASENAPP and_ MITTELDORF exchange
glances and GLASENAPP shrugs his shoulders._] Lives largely on credit,
eh?
GLASENAPP
He says he has a pension.
WEHRHAHN
Pension?
GLASENAPP
Well, you know he got shot in the eye.
WEHRHAHN
So his pension is really paid as damages.
GLASENAPP
Beggin' your honour's pardon, but if it's a question of damages the man
inflicts more than he's ever received. Nobody's ever seen him have a
penny for anything.
WEHRHAHN
[_Amused._] Is there anything else of importance?
GLASENAPP
Nothing but minor matters, your honour--somebody giving notice--
WEHRHAHN
That'll do; that'll do. Do you happen ever to have heard any reports to
the effect that this Dr. Fleischer does not guard his tongue with
particular care?
GLASENAPP
Not that I know of at this moment.
WEHRHAHN
Because that is the information that has come to me. He is said to have
made illegal remarks concerning a number of exalted personages. However,
all that will appear in good time. We can set to work now. Mitteldorf,
have you anything to report?
MITTELDORF
They tell me that a theft has been committed during the night.
WEHRHAHN
A theft? Where?
MITTELDORF
In the Villa Krueger.
WEHRHAHN
What has been stolen?
MITTELDORF
Some firewood.
WEHRHAHN
Last night, or when?
MITTELDORF
Just last night.
WEHRHAHN
From whom does your information come?
MITTELDORF
My information? It come from ... from....
WEHRHAHN
Well, from whom? Out with it!
MITTELDORF
I heard it from--I got it from Dr. Fleischer.
WEHRHAHN
Aha! You're in the habit then of conversing with him?
MITTELDORF
Mr. Krueger told me about it himself too.
WEHRHAHN
The man is a nuisance with his perpetual complaints. He writes me about
three letters a week. Either he has been cheated, or some one has broken
his fence, or else some one has trespassed on his property. Nothing but
one annoyance after another.
MOTES
[_Enters. He laughs almost continually in a nervous way._] Beg to bid you
a good morning, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
Ah, there you are. Very glad you came in. You can help me out with some
information at once. A theft is said to have been committed at the Villa
Krueger.
MOTES
I don't live there any longer.
WEHRHAHN
And nothing has come to your ears either?
MOTES
Oh, I heard something about it, but nothing definite. As I was just
passing by the Villa I saw them both looking for traces in the snow.
WEHRHAHN
Is that so? Dr. Fleischer is assisting him. I take it for granted then
that they're pretty thick together?
MOTES
Inseparable in every sense, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
Aha! As far as Fleischer is concerned--he interests me most of all. Take
a seat, please. I confess that I didn't sleep more than half the night.
This matter simply wouldn't let me sleep. The letter that you wrote me
excited me to an extraordinary degree.--That is a matter of temperament,
to be sure. The slumbers of my predecessor would scarcely have been
disturbed.--As far as I am concerned I have made up my mind, so to speak,
to go the whole way.--It is my function here to make careful tests and to
exterminate undesirable elements.--Under the protection of my honourable
predecessor the sphere of our activity has become a receptacle for refuse
of various kinds: lives that cannot bear the light--outlawed individuals,
enemies of royalty and of the realm. These people must be made to
suffer.--As for yourself, Mr. Motes, you are an author?
MOTES
I write on subjects connected with forestry and game.
WEHRHAHN
In the appropriate technical journals, I take it. _A propos_: do you
manage to make a living that way?
MOTES
If one is well known, it can be done. I may gratefully say that I earn an
excellent competency.
WEHRHAHN
So you are a forester by profession?
MOTES
I studied at the academy, your honour, and pursued my studies in
Eberswalde. Shortly before the final examinations I met with this
misfortune....
WEHRHAHN
Ah, yes; I see you wear a bandage.
MOTES
I lost an eye while hunting. Some bird shot flew into my right eye. The
responsibility for the accident could not, unfortunately, be placed. And
so I had to give up my career.
WEHRHAHN
Then you do not receive a pension?
MOTES
No. But I have fought my way through pretty well now. My name is getting
to be known in a good many quarters.
WEHRHAHN
H-m.--Are you by any chance acquainted with my brother-in-law?
MOTES
Yes, indeed--Chief Forester von Wachsmann. I correspond a good deal with
him and furthermore we are fellow members of the society for the breeding
of pointers.
WEHRHAHN
[_Somewhat relieved._] Ah, so you are really acquainted with him? I'm
very glad indeed to hear that. That makes the whole matter easier of
adjustment and lays a foundation for mutual confidence. It serves to
remove any possible obstacle.--You wrote me in your letter, you recall,
that you had had the opportunity of observing this Dr. Fleischer. Now
tell me, please, what you know.
MOTES
[_Coughs._] When I--about a year ago--took up my residence in the Villa
Krueger, I had naturally no suspicion of the character of the people with
whom I was to dwell under one roof.
WEHRHAHN
Yon were acquainted with neither Krueger nor Fleischer?
MOTES
No; but you know how things go. Living in one house with them I couldn't
keep to myself entirely.
WEHRHAHN
And what kind of people visited the house?
MOTES
[_With a significant gesture._] Ah!
WEHRHAHN
I understand.
MOTES
Tom, Dick and Harry--democrats, of course.
WEHRHAHN
Were regular meetings held?
MOTES
Every Thursday, so far as I could learn.
WEHRHAHN
That will certainly bear watching.--And you no longer associate with
those people?
MOTES
A point was reached where intercourse with them became impossible, your
honour.
WEHRHAHN
You were repelled, eh?
MOTES
The whole business became utterly repulsive to me.
WEHRHAHN
The unlawful atmosphere that obtained there, the impudent jeering at
exalted personages--all that, I take it, you could no longer endure?
MOTES
I stayed simply because I thought it might serve some good purpose.
WEHRHAHN
But finally you gave notice after all?
MOTES
I moved out, yes, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
And finally you made up your mind to--
MOTES
I considered it my duty--
WEHRHAHN
To lodge notice with the authorities.--I consider that very worthy in
you.--So he used a certain kind of expression--we will make a record of
all that later, of course--a certain kind of expression in reference to a
personage whose exalted station demands our reverence.
MOTES
He certainly did that, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
You would be willing, if necessary, to confirm that by oath.
MOTES
I would be willing to confirm it.
WEHRHAHN
In fact, you will be obliged to make such confirmation.
MOTES
Yes, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
Of course it would be best if we could procure an additional witness.
MOTES
I would have to look about. The trouble is, though, that the man is very
prodigal of his money.
WEHRHAHN
Ah, just wait a minute. Krueger is coming in now. I will first attend to
his business. At all events I am very grateful to you for your active
assistance. One is absolutely dependent on such assistance if one desires
to accomplish anything nowadays.
KRUEGER
[_Enters hastily and excitedly._] O Lord, O Lord! Good day, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
[_To MOTES._] Pardon me just a moment. [_In an arrogant and inquisitorial
tone to KRUEGER._] What is it you want?
_KRUEGER is a small man, somewhat hard of hearing and nearly seventy
years old. He is slightly bowed with age; his left shoulder hangs
somewhat. Otherwise he is still very vigorous and emphasises his
remarks by violent gesticulations. He wears a fur cap which he is now
holding in his hand, a brown winter overcoat and a thick woolen shawl
around his neck._
KRUEGER
[_Literally charged with rage, explodes:_] I've been robbed, your honour.
[_Getting his breath, he wipes the perspiration from his forehead
with a handkerchief and, after the manner of people with impaired
hearing, stares straight at the mouth of the justice._
WEHRHAHN
Robbed, eh?
KRUEGER
[_Already exasperated._] Robbed is what I said. I have been robbed. Two
whole loads of wood have been stolen from me.
WEHRHAHN
[_Looking around at those present, half-smiling, says lightly:_] Not the
least thing of that kind has happened here recently.
KRUEGER
[_Putting his hand to his ear._] What? Not the slightest thing? Then
perhaps I came into this office for fun?
WEHRHAHN
You need not become violent. What is your name, by the way?
KRUEGER
[_Taken aback._] My name?
WEHRHAHN
Yes, your name!
KRUEGER
So my name isn't known to you? I thought we had had the pleasure before.
WEHRHAHN
Sorry. Can't say that I have a clear recollection. And that wouldn't
matter officially anyhow.
KRUEGER
[_Resignedly._] My name is Krueger.
WEHRHAHN
Capitalist by any chance?
KRUEGER
[_With extreme and ironic vehemence._] Exactly--capitalist and houseowner
here.
WEHRHAHN
Identify yourself, please.
KRUEGER
I--Identify myself! My name is Krueger. I don't think we need go to any
further trouble. I've been living here for thirty years. Every child in
the place knows me.
WEHRHAHN
The length of your residence here doesn't concern me. It is my business
merely to ascertain your identity. Is this gentleman known to you--Mr.
Motes?
_MOTES half rises with an angry expression._
WEHRHAHN
Ah, yes, I understand. Kindly sit down. Well, Glasenapp?
GLASENAPP
Yes, at your service. It is Mr. Krueger all right.
WEHRHAHN
Very well.--So you have been robbed of wood?
KRUEGER
Of wood, exactly. Two loads of pine wood.
WEHRHAHN
Did you have the wood stored in your shed?
KRUEGER
[_Growing violent again._] That's quite a separate matter. That's the
substance of another complaint I have to make.
WEHRHAHN
[_With an ironic laugh and looking at the others._] Still another one?
KRUEGER
What do you mean?
WEHRHAHN
Nothing. You may go ahead with your statement. The wood, it appears, was
not in your shed?
KRUEGER
The wood was in the garden, that is, in front of the garden.
WEHRHAHN
In other words: it lay in the street.
KRUEGER
It lay in front of the garden on my property.
WEHRHAHN
So that any one could pick it up without further ado?
KRUEGER
And that is just the fault of the servant-girl. She was to take the wood
in last night.
WEHRHAHN
And it dropped out of her mind.
KRUEGER
She refused to do it. And when I insisted on her doing it, she ended by
running away. I intend to bring suit against her parents. I intend to
claim full damages.
WEHRHAHN
You may do about that as you please. It isn't likely to help you very
greatly.--Now is there any one whom you suspect of the theft?
KRUEGER
No. They're all a set of thieves around here.
WEHRHAHN
You will please to avoid such general imputations. You must surely be
able to offer me a clue of some kind.
KRUEGER
Well, you can't expect me to accuse any one at random.
WEHRHAHN
Who lives in your house beside yourself?
KRUEGER
Dr. Fleischer.
WEHRHAHN
[_As if trying to recall something._] Dr. Fleischer? Dr. Fleischer? Why,
he is a--What is he, anyhow?
KRUEGER
He is a thoroughly learned man, that's what he is--thoroughly learned.
WEHRHAHN
And I suppose that you and he are very intimate with each other.
KRUEGER
That is my business, with whom I happen to be intimate. That has no
bearing on the matter in hand, it seems to me.
WEHRHAHN
How is one to discover anything under such circumstances? You must give
me a hint, at least!
KRUEGER
Must I? Goodness, gracious me! Must I? Two loads of wood have been stolen
from me! I simply come to give information concerning the theft....
WEHRHAHN
But you must have a theory of some kind. The wood must necessarily have
been stolen by somebody.
KRUEGER
Wha.... Yes ... well, I didn't do it! I of all people didn't do it!
WEHRHAHN
But my dear man....
KRUEGER
Wha...? My name is Krueger.
WEHRHAHN
[_Interrupting and apparently bored._] M-yes.--Well, Glasenapp, just make
a record of the facts.--And now, Mr. Krueger, what's this business about
your maid? The girl, you say, ran away?
KRUEGER
Yes, that's exactly what she did--ran off to her parents.
WEHRHAHN
Do her parents live in this place?
KRUEGER
[_Not having heard correctly._] I'm not concerned with her face.
WEHRHAHN
I asked whether the parents of the girl live here?
GLASENAPP
She's the daughter of the washerwoman Wolff.
WEHRHAHN
Wolff--the same one who's washing for us today, Glasenapp?
GLASENAPP
The same, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
[_Shaking his head._] Very strange indeed!--She's a very honest and a
very industrious woman.--[_To KRUEGER._] Is that a fact? Is she the
daughter of the woman in question?
KRUEGER
She is the daughter of the washerwoman Wolff.
WEHRHAHN
And has the girl come back?
KRUEGER
Up to the present time the girl has not come back.
WEHRHAHN
Then suppose we call in Mrs. Wolff herself. Mitteldorf! You act as though
you were very tired. Well, go across the yard. Mrs. Wolff is to come to
me at once. I beg you to be seated, Mr. Krueger.
KRUEGER
[_Sitting down and sighing._] O Lord! O Lord! What a life!
WEHRHAHN
[_Softly to GLASENAPP and MOTES._] I'm rather curious to see what will
develop. There's something more than meets the eye in all this. I think a
great deal of Mrs. Wolff. The woman works enough for four men. My wife
assures me that if Wolff doesn't come she has to hire two women in her
place.--Her opinions aren't half bad either.
MOTES
She wants her daughters to go on the operatic stage....
WEHRHAHN
Oh, of course, she may have a screw loose in that respect. But that's no
fault of character. What have you hanging there, Mr. Motes?
MOTES
They're some wire snares. I'm taking them to the forester Seidel.
WEHRHAHN
Do let me see one of those things. [_He takes one and looks at it
closely._] And in these things the poor beasts are slowly throttled to
death.
_MRS. WOLFF enters, followed by MITTELDORF. She is drying her hands,
which are still moist from the wash tub._
MRS. WOLFF
[_Unembarrassed, cheerfully, with a swift glance at the snares._] Here I
am. What's up now? What'm I bein' wanted for?
WEHRHAHN
Mrs. Wolff, is this gentleman known to you?
MRS. WOLFF
Which one of 'em? [_Pointing with her finger at KRUEGER._] This here,
this is Mr. Krueger. I guess I know him all right. Good mornin', Mr.
Krueger.
WEHRHAHN
Your daughter is in Mr. Krueger's service?
MRS. WOLFF
Who? My daughter? That's so--Leontine. [_To KRUEGER._] But then, she run
away from you, didn't she?
KRUEGER
[_Enraged._] She did indeed.
WEHRHAHN
[_Interrupting._] Now wait a moment.
MRS. WOLFF
What kind o' trouble did you have together?
WEHRHAHN
Mrs. Wolff, you listen to me. Your daughter must return to Mr. Krueger at
once.
MRS. WOLFF
Oh, no, we'd rather keep her at home now.
WEHRHAHN
That can't be done quite so easily as you think. Mr. Krueger has the
right, if he wishes to exert it, of calling in the help, of the police.
In that case we would have to take your daughter back by force.
MRS. WOLFF
But my husband just happened to take it into his head. He's just made up
his mind not to let the girl go no more. An' when my husband takes a
notion like that into his head.... The trouble is: all you men has such
awful tempers!
WEHRHAHN
Suppose you let that go, for the moment, Mrs. Wolff. How long has your
daughter been, at home?
MRS. WOLFF
She came back last night.
WEHRHAHN
Last night? Very well. She had been told to carry wood into the shed and
she refused.
MRS. WOLFF
Eh, is that so? Refused? That girl o' mine don't refuse to do work. An' I
wouldn't advise her to do that kind o' thing neither.
WEHRHAHN
You hear what Mrs. Wolff says.
MRS. WOLFF
That girl has always been a willin' girl. If she'd ever refused to lend a
hand....
KRUEGER
She simply refused to carry in the wood!
MRS. WOLFF
Yes, drag in wood! At half past ten at night! People who asks such a
thing of a child like that--
WEHRHAHN
The essential thing, however, Mrs. Wolff, is this: the wood was left out
over night and has been stolen. And so....
KRUEGER
[_Losing self-control._] You will replace that wood, Mrs. Wolff.
WEHRHAHN
All that remains to be seen, if you will wait.
KRUEGER
You will indemnify me for that wood to the last farthing!
MRS. WOLFF
An' is that so? That'd be a new way o' doin' things! Did I, maybe, go an'
steal your wood?
WEHRHAHN
You had better let the man calm down, Mrs. Wolff.
MRS. WOLFF
No, when Mr. Krueger comes round me with things like that, payin' for
wood and such like, he ain't goin' to have no luck. I always been
friendly with them people--that's sure. Nobody can't complain o' nothin'
'sfar 's I'm concerned. But if things gets to this point, then I'd rather
up and says my say just exactly how I feel, you know. I do my dooty and
that's enough. There ain't nobody in the whole village what c'n say
anythin' against me. But I ain't goin' to let _nobody_ walk all over me!
WEHRHAHN
You need not wear yourself out, Mrs. Wolff. You have absolutely no cause
for it. Just remain calm, quite calm. You're not entirely unknown to me,
after all. There isn't a human being who would undertake to deny your
industry and honesty. So let us hear what you have to say in answer to
the plaintiff.
KRUEGER
The woman can't possibly have anything to say!
MRS. WOLFF
Hol' on, now, everybody! How's that, I'd like to know? Ain't the girl my
daughter? An' I'm not to have anythin' to say! You gotta go an' look for
some kind of a fool! You don't know much about me. I don't has to hide
what I thinks from no one--no, not from his honour hisself, an' a good
deal less from you, you may take your oath on that!
WEHRHAHN
I quite understand your excitement, Mrs. Wolff. But if you desire to
serve the cause at issue, I would advise you to remain calm.
MRS. WOLFF
That's what a person gets. I been washin' clothes for them people these
ten years. All that time we ain't had a fallin' out. An' now, all of a
sudden, they treat you this way. I ain't comin' to your house no more,
you c'n believe me.
KRUEGER
You don't need to. There are other washerwomen.
MRS. WOLFF
An' the vegetables an' the fruit out o' your garden--you c'n just go an'
get somebody else to sell 'em for you.
KRUEGER
I can get rid of all that. There's no fear. All you needed to have done
was to have taken a stick to that girl of yours and sent her back.
MRS. WOLFF
I won't have no daughter of mine abused.
KRUEGER
Who has been abusing your daughter, I'd like to know!
MRS. WOLFF
[_To WEHRHAHN._] The girl came back to me no better'n a skeleton.
KRUEGER
Then let her not spend all her nights dancing.
MRS. WOLFF
She sleeps like the dead all day.
WEHRHAHN
[_Past MRS. WOLFF to KRUEGER._] By the way, where did you buy the wood in
question?
MRS. WOLFF
Is this thing goin' to last much longer?
WEHRHAHN
Why, Mrs. Wolff?
MRS. WOLFF
Why, on account o' the washin'. If I wastes my time standin' round here,
I can't get done.
WEHRHAHN
We can't take that into consideration here, Mrs. Wolff.
MRS. WOLFF
An' your wife? What's she goin' to say? You c'n go an' settle it with
her, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
It will only last another minute, anyhow.--You tell us frankly, Mrs.
Wolff--you know the whole village. Whom do you consider capable of the
crime in question? Who could possibly have stolen the wood?
MRS. WOLFF
I can't tell you nothin' about that, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
And nothing suspicious came to your attention?
MRS. WOLFF
I wasn't even at home last night. I had to go over to Treptow to buy
geese.
WEHRHAHN
At what time was that?
MRS. WOLFF
A little after ten. Mitteldorf, he was there when we started.
WEHRHAHN
And no team carrying wood met you?
MRS. WOLFF
No, nothin' like that.
WEHRHAHN
How about you, Mitteldorf, did you notice nothing?
MITTELDORF
[_After some thought._] No, I didn't notice nothin' suspicious.
WEHRHAHN
Of course not, I might have known that. [_To KRUEGER._] Well, where did
you buy the wood?
KRUEGER
Why do you have to know that?
WEHRHAHN
You will kindly leave that to me.
KRUEGER
I naturally bought the wood from the department of forestry.
WEHRHAHN
Why naturally? I don't see that at all. There are, for instance, private
wood yards. Personally I buy my wood from Sandberg. Why shouldn't you buy
yours from a dealer? One really almost gets a better bargain.
KRUEGER
[_Impatiently._] I haven't any more time, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
What do you mean by that? Time? You have no time? Have you come to me, or
do I come to you? Am I taking up your time or are you taking up mine?
KRUEGER
That's your business. That's what you're here for.
WEHRHAHN
Perhaps I'm your bootblack, eh?
KRUEGER
Perhaps I've stolen silver spoons! I forbid you to use that tone to me.
You're not a corporal and I'm not a recruit.
WEHRHAHN
Well, that passes.... Don't shout so!
KRUEGER
It is you who do all the shouting.
WEHRHAHN
You are half deaf. It is necessary for me to shout.
KRUEGER
You shout all the time. You shout at every one who comes in here.
WEHRHAHN
I don't shout at any one. Be silent.
KRUEGER
You carry on as if you were heaven knows what! You annoy the whole place
with your chicanery!
WEHRHAHN
I'm only making a beginning. I'll make you a good deal more uncomfortable
before I get through.
KRUEGER
That doesn't make the slightest impression on me. You're a pretentious
nobody--nothing else. You simply want to cut a big figure. As though you
were the king himself, you....
WEHRHAHN
I _am_ king in this place.
KRUEGER
[_Laughs heartily._] You'd better let that be. In my estimation you're
nothing at all. You're nothing but an ordinary justice of the peace. In
fact, you've got to learn to be one first.
WEHRHAHN
Sir, if you don't hold your tongue this minute....
KRUEGER
Then, I suppose, you'll have me arrested. I wouldn't advise you to go to
such lengths after all. You might put yourself into a dangerous position.
WEHRHAHN
Dangerous? [_To MOTES._] Did you hear that? [_To KRUEGER._] And however
much you intrigue, you and your admirable followers, and however you try
to undermine my position--you won't force me to abandon my station.
KRUEGER
Good heavens! _I_ try to undermine your position? Your whole personality
is far too unimportant. But you may take my word for this, that if you
don't change your tactics completely, you will cause so much trouble that
you will make yourself quite impossible.
WEHRHAHN
[_To MOTES._] I suppose, Mr. Motes, that one must consider his age.
KRUEGER
I beg to have my complaint recorded.
WEHRHAHN
[_Turning over the papers on his table._] You will please to send in your
complaint in writing. I have no time at this moment.
_KRUEGER looks at him in consternation, turns around vigorously, and
leaves the office without a word._
WEHRHAHN
[_After a pause of embarrassment._] That's the way people annoy me with
trifles.--Ugh!--[_To MRS. WOLFF._] You'd better get back to your
washing.--I tell you, my dear Motes, a position like mine is made hard
enough. If one were not conscious of what one represents here--one might
sometimes be tempted to throw up the whole business. But as it is, one's
motto must be to stand one's ground bravely. For, after all, what is it
that we are defending? The most sacred goods of the nation!--
THE CURTAIN FALLS
THE THIRD ACT
_It is about eight o'clock in the morning. The scene is the dwelling
of MRS. WOLFF. Water for coffee is boiling on the oven. MRS. WOLFF is
sitting on a footstool and counting out money on the seat of a chair.
JULIUS enters, carrying a slaughtered rabbit._
JULIUS
You better go an' hide that there money!
MRS. WOLFF
[_Absorbed in her calculations, gruffly:_] Don't bother me!
[_Silence._
_JULIUS throws the rabbit on a stool. He wanders about irresolutely,
picking up one object after another. Finally he sets about blacking a
boot. From afar the blowing of a huntsman's horn is heard._
JULIUS
[_Listens. Anxious and excited._] I axed you to go an' hide that there
money!
MRS. WOLFF
An' I'm tellin' you not to bother me, Julius. Just let that fool Motes
tootle all he wants. He's out in the woods an' ain't thinkin' o' nothin'.
JULIUS
You go right ahead and land us in gaol!
MRS. WOLFF