it depended on me. Didn't I go an' starts out the very minute? But when I
come to the locks there wasn't no gettin' farther. I waited an' waited
for the Spree to open up. Two days an' nights I lay there till this thing
with my wife came along. There wasn't no use howlin' then. I had to come
back.
MRS. WOLFF
So your boat is down by the bridge again?
WULKOW
That's where it is. I ain't got no other place, has I?
MRS. WOLFF
Well, don't come to me, if ...
WULKOW
I hope they ain't caught on to nothin', at least.
MRS. WOLFF
Go to the shop an' get three cents' worth o' thread.
ADELAIDE
I'll go for that when we get home.
MRS. WOLFF
Do's I tell you an' don't answer back.
ADELAIDE
Aw, I ain't no baby no more.
[_Exit._
MRS. WOLFF
[_Eagerly._] An' so you lay there by the locks?
WULKOW
Two whole days, as I been tellin' you.
MRS. WOLFF
Well, you ain't much good for this kind o' thing. You're a fine feller to
go an' put on that coat in bright daylight!
WULKOW
Put it on? Me?
MRS. WOLFF
Yes, you put it on, an' in bright daylight, so's the whole place c'n know
straight off what a fine fur coat you got.
WULKOW
Aw, that was 'way out in the middle o' the--
MRS. WOLFF
It was a quarter of a hour from our house. My girl saw you sittin' there.
She had to go an' row Dr. Fleischer out an' he went an' had his suspicion
that minute.
WULKOW
I don't know nothin' about that. That ain't none o' my business.
[_Some one is heard approaching._
MRS. WOLFF
Sh! You want to be on the lookout now, that's all.
GLASENAPP
[_Enters hurriedly with an attempt to imitate the manner of the justice.
He asks WULKOW condescendingly:_] What business have you?
WEHRHAHN
[_Still without._] What do you want, girl? You're looking for me? Come
in, then. [_WEHRHAHN permits ADELAIDE to precede him and then enters._] I
have very little time to-day. Ah, yes, aren't you Mrs. Wolff's little
girl? Well, then, sit down. What have you there?
ADELAIDE
I got a package ...
WEHRHAHN
Wait a moment first ... [_To WULKOW._] What do you want?
WULKOW
I'd like to report the birth of ...
WEHRHAHN
Matter of the public registry. The books, Glasenapp. That is to say, I'll
attend to the other affair first. [_To MRS. WOLFF._] What's the trouble
about your daughter? Did Mr. Krueger box her ears again?
MRS. WOLFF
Well, he didn't go that far no time.
WEHRHAHN
What's the trouble, then?
MRS. WOLFF
It's about this here package ...
WEHRHAHN
[_To GLASENAPP._] Hasn't Motes been here yet?
GLASENAPP
Not up to this time.
WEHRHAHN
That's incomprehensible. Well, girl, what do you want?
GLASENAPP
It's in the matter of the stolen fur coat, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
Is that so? Can't possibly attend to that today. No one can do everything
at once. [_To MRS. WOLFF._] She may come in to-morrow.
MRS. WOLFF
She's tried to talk to you a couple o' times already.
WEHRHAHN
Then let her try for a third time to-morrow.
MRS. WOLFF
But Mr. Krueger don't give her no peace no more.
WEHRHAHN
What has Mr. Krueger to do with it?
MRS. WOLFF
The girl went to him with the package.
WEHRHAHN
What kind of a rag is that? Let me see it.
MRS. WOLFF
It's all connected with the business of the fur coat. Leastways that's
what Mr. Krueger thinks.
WEHRHAHN
What's wrapped up in those rags, eh?
MRS. WOLFF
There's a green waist-coat what belongs to Mr. Krueger.
WEHRHAHN
And you found that?
ADELAIDE
I found it, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
Where did you find it?
ADELAIDE
That was when I was goin' to the train with mama. I was walkin' along
this way and there ...
WEHRHAHN
Never mind about that now. [_To MRS. WOLFF._] Make your deposition some
time soon. We can come back to this matter to-morrow.
MRS. WOLFF
Oh, _I'm_ willin' enough ...
WEHRHAHN
Well, who isn't then?
MRS. WOLFF
Mr. Krueger is so very anxious about it.
WEHRHAHN
Mr. Krueger, Mr. Krueger--I care very little about him. The man just
simply annoys me. Things like this cannot be adjusted in a day. He has
offered a reward and the matter has been published in the official paper.
MRS. WOLFF
You can't never do enough for him, though.
WEHRHAHN
What does that mean: we can't do enough for him? We have recorded the
facts in the case. His suspicions fell upon his washerwoman and we have
searched her house. What more does he want? The man ought to keep quiet.
But, as I said, to-morrow I'm at the service of this affair again.
MRS. WOLFF
It's all the same to us. We c'n come back.
WEHRHAHN
Very well, then. To-morrow morning.
MRS. WOLFF
Good mornin'.
ADELAIDE
[_Dropping a courtsey._] Good mornin'.
_MRS. WOLFF and ADELAIDE exeunt._
WEHRHAHN
[_Turning over some documents. To GLASENAPP._] I'm curious to see what
the result of all this will be. Mr. Motes has finally agreed to offer
witnesses. He says the Dreier woman, that old witch of a pastry cook,
once stood within earshot when Fleischer expressed himself
disrespectfully. How old is the woman, anyhow?
GLASENAPP
Somewhere around seventy, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
A bit confused in her upper story, eh?
GLASENAPP
Depends on how you look at it. She's fairly sensible yet.
WEHRHAHN
I can assure you, Glasenapp, that it would be no end of a satisfaction to
me to flutter these dove-cotes here pretty thoroughly. These people ought
to be made to feel that they're dealing with somebody, after all. Who
absented himself from the festivities on the emperor's birthday?
Fleischer, of course. The man is simply capable of anything. He can put
on all the innocent expressions he pleases. We know these wolves in
sheep's clothing. They're too sweet-tempered to harm a fly, but if they
think the occasion has come, the hounds can blow up a whole place. Well,
here, at least, it will be made too hot for them!
MOTES
[_Comes in._] Your servant.
WEHRHAHN
Well, how are things going?
MOTES
Mrs. Dreier said that she would be here around eleven.
WEHRHAHN
This matter will attract quite a little notice. It will, is fact, make a
good deal of noise. I know what will be said: "That man Wehrhahn pokes
his nose into everything." Well, thank heaven, I'm prepared for that. I'm
not standing in this place for my private amusement. I haven't been put
here for jest. People think--a justice, why he's nothing but a superior
kind of gaoler. In that case they can put some one else here. The
gentlemen, to be sure, who appointed me know very well with whom they are
dealing. They know to the full the seriousness with which I conceive of
my duties. I consider my office in the light of a sacred calling.
[_Pause._] I have reduced my report to the public prosecutor to writing.
If I send it off at noon to-day, the command of arrest can reach us by
day after to-morrow.
MOTES
Now everybody will be coming down on me.
WEHRHAHN
You know I have an uncle who is a chamberlain. I'll talk to him about
you. Confound it all! There comes Fleischer! What does that fellow want?
Does he smell a rat by any chance? [_A knocking is heard and WEHRHAHN
shouts:_] Come in!
FLEISCHER
[_Enters, pale and excited._] Good morning! [_He receives no answer._] I
should like to lodge information which has reference to the robbery
recently committed here.
WEHRHAHN
[_With his most penetrating official glance._] You are Dr. Joseph
Fleischer?
FLEISCHER
Quite right. My name is Joseph Fleischer.
WEHRHAHN
And you come to give me some information.
FLEISCHER
If you will permit me, that is what I should like to do. I have made an
observation which may, quite possibly, help the authorities to track down
the thief in question.
WEHRHAHN
[_Drums on the table with his fingers. He looks around at the others with
an expression of affected surprise which tempts them to laughter._] What
is this important observation which you have made?
FLEISCHER
Of course, if you have previously made up your mind to attach no
importance to my evidence, I should prefer ...
WEHRHAHN
[_Quickly and arrogantly._] What would you prefer?
FLEISCHER
To hold my peace.
WEHRHAHN
[_Turns to MOTES with a look expressive of inability to understand
FLEISCHER'S motives. Then, in a changed tone, with very superficial
interest._] My time is rather fully occupied. I would request you to be
as brief as possible.
FLEISCHER
My time is no less preëmpted. Nevertheless I considered it my duty ...
WEHRHAHN
[_Interrupting._] You considered it your duty. Very well. Now tell us
what you know.
FLEISCHER
[_Conquering himself._] I went boating yesterday. I had taken Mrs.
Wolff's boat and her daughter was rowing.
WEHRHAHN
Are these details necessarily pertinent to the business in hand?
FLEISCHER
They certainly are--in my opinion.
WEHRHAHN
[_Drumming impatiently on the table._] Very well! Very well! Let's get
on!
FLEISCHER
We rowed to the neighbourhood of the locks. A lighter lay at anchor
there. The ice, we were able to observe, was piled up there. The lighter
had probably not been able to proceed.
WEHRHAHN
H-m. Is that so? That interests us rather less. What is the kernel of
this whole story?
FLEISCHER
[_Keeping his temper by main force._] I must confess that this method of
... I have come here quite voluntarily to offer a voluntary service to
the authorities.
GLASENAPP
[_Impudently._] His honour is pressed for time. You are to talk less and
state what you have to say briefly and compactly.
WEHRHAHN
[_Vehemently._] Let's get to business at once. What is it you want?
FLEISCHER
[_Still mastering himself._] I am concerned that the matter be cleared
up. And in the interest of old Mr. Krueger, I will ...
WEHRHAHN
[_Yawning and bored._] The light dazzles me; do pull down the shades.
FLEISCHER
On the lighter was an old boatman--probably the owner of the vessel.
WEHRHAHN
[_Yawning as before._] Yes, most probably.
FLEISCHER
This man sat on his deck in a fur coat which, at a distance, I considered
a beaver coat.
WEHRHAHN
[_Bored._] I might have taken it to be marten.
FLEISCHER
I pulled as close up to him as possible and thus gained a very good view.
The man was a poverty-stricken, slovenly boatman and the fur coat seemed
by no means appropriate. It was, in addition, a perfectly new coat ...
WEHRHAHN
[_Apparently recollecting himself._] I am listening, I am listening!
Well? What else?
FLEISCHER
What else? Nothing.
WEHRHAHN
[_Waking up thoroughly._] I thought you wanted to lodge some information.
You mentioned something important.
FLEISCHER
I have said all that I had to say.
WEHRHAHN
You have told us an anecdote about a boatman who wears a fur coat. Well,
boatmen do, no doubt, now and then wear such coats. There is nothing new
or interesting about that.
FLEISCHER
You may think about that as you please. In such circumstances I have no
more to say.
[_Exit._
WEHRHAHN
Well now, did you ever see anything like that? Moreover, the fellow is a
thorough fool. A boatman had on a fur coat! Why, has the man gone mad? I
possess a beaver coat myself. Surely that doesn't make me a
thief.--Confound it all! What's that again? I suppose I am to get no rest
to-day at all! [_To MITTELDORF, who is standing by the door._] Don't let
anyone else in now! Mr. Motes, do me the favour of going over to my
apartment. We can have our discussion there without interruptions.
There's Krueger for the hundred and first time. He acts as though he'd
been stung by a tarantula. If that old ass continues to plague me, I'll
kick him straight out of this room some day.
_In the open door KRUEGER becomes visible, together with FLEISCHER
and MRS. WOLFF._
MITTELDORF
[_To KRUEGER._] His honour can't be seen, Mr. Krueger.
KRUEGER
Nonsense! Not to be seen! I don't care for such talk at all. [_To the
others._] Go right on, right on! I'd like to see!
_All enter, KRUEGER leading the way._
WEHRHAHN
I must request that there be somewhat more quiet. As you see, I am having
a conference at present.
KRUEGER
Go right ahead with it. We can wait. Later you can then have a conference
with us.
WEHRHAHN
[_To MOTES._] Over in my apartment, then, if you please. And if you see
Mrs. Dreier, tell her I had rather question her there too. You see for
yourself: it isn't possible here.
KRUEGER
[_Pointing to FLEISCHER._] This gentleman knows something about Mrs.
Dreier too. He has some documentary evidence.
MOTES
Your honour's servant. I take my leave.
[_Exit._
KRUEGER
That's a good thing for _that_ man to take.
WEHRHAHN
You will kindly omit remarks of that nature.
KRUEGER
I'll say that again. The man is a swindler.
WEHRHAHN
[_As though he had not heard, to WULKOW._] Well, what is it? I'll get rid
of you first. The records, Glasenapp!--Wait, though! I'll relieve myself
of this business first. [_To KRUEGER._] I will first attend to your
affair.
KRUEGER
Yes, I must ask you very insistently to do so.
WEHRHAHN
Suppose we leave that "insistently" quite out of consideration. What
request have you to make?
KRUEGER
None at all. I have no request to make. I am here in order to demand what
is my right.
WEHRHAHN
Your right? Ah, what is that, exactly?
KRUEGER
My good right. I have been robbed and it is my right that the local
authorities aid me in recovering my stolen possessions.
WEHRHAHN
Have you been refused such assistance?
KRUEGER
Certainly not. And that is not possible. Nevertheless, it is quite clear
that nothing is being done. The whole affair is making no progress.
WEHRHAHN
You imagine that things like that can be done in a day or two.
KRUEGER
I don't imagine anything, your honour. I have very definite proofs. You
are taking no interest in my affairs.
WEHRHAHN
I could interrupt you at this very point. It lies entirely beyond the
duties of my office to listen to imputations of that nature. For the
present, however, you may continue.
KRUEGER
You could not interrupt me at all. As a citizen of the Prussian state I
have my rights. And even if you interrupt me here, there are other places
where I could make my complaint. I repeat that you are not showing any
interest in my affair.
WEHRHAHN
[_Apparently calm._] Suppose you prove that.
KRUEGER
[_Pointing to MRS. WOLFF and her daughter._] This woman here came to you.
Her daughter made a find. She didn't shirk the way, your honour, although
she is a poor woman. You turned her off once before and she came back
to-day ...
MRS. WOLFF
But his honour didn't have no time, you know.
WEHRHAHN
Go on, please!
KRUEGER
I will. I'm not through yet by any means. What did you say to the woman?
You said to her quite simply that you had no time for the matter in
question. You did not even question her daughter. You don't know the
slightest circumstance: you don't know anything about the entire
occurrence.
WEHRHAHN
I will have to ask you to moderate yourself a little.
KRUEGER
My expressions are moderate; they are extremely moderate. I am far too
moderate, your honour. My entire character is far too full of moderation.
If it were not, what do you think I would say? What kind of an
investigation is this? This gentleman here, Dr. Fleischer, came to you to
report an observation which he has made. A boatman wears a beaver coat
...
WEHRHAHN
[_Raising his hand._] Just wait a moment. [_To WULKOW._] You are a
boatman, aren't you?
WULKOW
I been out on the river for thirty years.
WEHRHAHN
Are you nervous? You seem to twitch.
WULKOW
I reely did have a little scare. That's a fac'.
WEHRHAHN
Do the boatmen on the Spree frequently wear fur coats?
WULKOW
A good many of 'em has fur coats. That's right enough.
WEHRHAHN
This gentleman saw a boatman who stood on his deck wearing a fur coat.
WULKOW
There ain't nothin' suspicious about that, your honour. There's many as
has fine coats. I got one myself, in fac'.
WEHRHAHN
You observe: the man himself owns a fur coat.
FLEISCHER
But then he hasn't exactly a beaver coat.
WEHRHAHN
You were not in a position to discover that.
KRUEGER
What? Has this man a beaver coat?
WULKOW
There's many of 'em, I c'n tell you, as has the finest beaver coats. An'
why not? We makes enough.
WEHRHAHN
[_Filled with a sense of triumph but pretending indifference._] Exactly.
[_Lightly._] Now, please go on, Mr. Krueger. That was only a little
side-play. I simply wanted to make clear to you the value of that
so-called "observation."--You see now that this man himself owns a fur
coat. [_More violently._] Would it therefore occur to us in our wildest
moments to assert that he has stolen the coat? That would simply be an
absurdity.
KRUEGER
Wha--? I don't understand a word.
WEHRHAHN
Then I must talk somewhat louder still. And since I am talking to you
now, there's something else I might as well say to you--not in my
capacity as justice, but simply man to man, Mr. Krueger. A man who is
after all an honourable citizen should be more chary of his
confidence--he should not adduce the evidence of people ...
KRUEGER
Are you talking about my associates? _My_ associates?
WEHRHAHN
Exactly that.
KRUEGER
In that case you had better take care of yourself. People like Motes,
with whom you associate, were kicked out of my house.
FLEISCHER
I was obliged to show the door to this person whom you receive in your
private apartment!
KRUEGER
He cheated me out of my rent.
MRS. WOLFF
There ain't many in this village that that man ain't cheated all
ways--cheated out o' pennies an' shillin's, an' crowns an' gold pieces.
KRUEGER
He has a regular system of exacting tribute.
FLEISCHER
[_Pulling a document out of his pocket._] More than that, the fellow is
ripe for the public prosecutor. [_He places the document on the table._]
I would request you to read this through.
KRUEGER
Mrs. Dreier has signed that paper herself. Motes tried to inveigle her
into committing perjury.
FLEISCHER
She was to give evidence against me.
KRUEGER
[_Putting his hand on FLEISCHER'S arm._] This gentleman is of unblemished
conduct and that scoundrel wanted to get him into trouble. And you lend
your assistance to such things!
**All speak at once.**
WEHRHAHN
My patience is exhausted now. Whatever dealings you may have with Motes
don't concern me and are entirely indifferent to me. [_To FLEISCHER._]
You'll be good enough to remove that rag!
KRUEGER
[_Alternately to MRS. WOLFF and to GLASENAPP._] That man is his honour's
friend: that is his source of information. A fine situation. We might
better call him a source of defamation!
FLEISCHER
[_To MITTELDORF._] I'm not accountable to any one. It's my own business
what I do; it's my own business with whom I associate; it's my own
business what I choose to think and write!
GLASENAPP
Why you can't hear your own words in this place no more! Your honour,
shall I go an' fetch a policeman? I can run right over and get one.
Mitteldorf!...
**End all**
WEHRHAHN
Quiet, please! [_Quiet is restored. To FLEISCHER._] You will please
remove that rag.
FLEISCHER
[_Obeys._] That rag, as you call it, will be forwarded to the public
prosecutor.
WEHRHAHN
You may do about that exactly as you please. [_He arises and takes from a
case in the wall the package brought by MRS. WOLFF._] Let us finally
dispose of this matter, then. [_To MRS. WOLFF._] Where did you find this
thing?
MRS. WOLFF
It ain't me that found it at all.
WEHRHAHN
Well, who did find it?
MRS. WOLFF
My youngest daughter.
WEHRHAHN
Well, why didn't you bring her with you then?
MRS. WOLFF
She was here, all right, your honour. An' then, I c'n go over an' fetch
her in a minute.
WEHRHAHN
That would only serve to delay the whole business again. Didn't the girl
tell you anything about it?
KRUEGER
You said it was found on the way to the railway station.
WEHRHAHN
In that case the thief is probably in Berlin, That won't make our search
any easier.
KRUEGER
I don't believe that at all, your honour, Mr. Fleischer seems to me to
have an entirely correct opinion. The whole business with the package is
a trick meant to mislead us.
MRS. WOLFF
Well, well. That's mighty possible.
WEHRHAHN
Now, Mrs. Wolff, you're not so stupid as a rule. Things that are stolen
here go in to Berlin. That fur coat was sold in Berlin before we even
knew that it was stolen.
MRS. WOLFF
No, your honour, I can't help it, but I ain't quite, not quite of the
same opinion. If the thief is in Berlin, why, I ax, does he have to go
an' lose a package like that?
WEHRHAHN
Such things are not always lost intentionally.
MRS. WOLFF
Just look at that there package. It's all packed up so nice--the vest,
the key, an' the bit o' paper ...
KRUEGER
I believe the thief to be in this very place.
MRS. WOLFF
[_Confirming him._] Well, you see, Mr. Krueger.
KRUEGER
I firmly believe it.
WEHRHAHN
Sorry, but I do not incline to that opinion. My experience is far too
long ...
KRUEGER
What? A long experience? H-m!
WEHRHAHN
Certainly. And on the basis of that experience I know that the chance of
the coat being here need scarcely be taken into account.
MRS. WOLFF
Well, well, we shouldn't go an' deny things that way, your honour.
KRUEGER
[_Referring to FLEISCHER._] And then he saw the boatman ...
WEHRHAHN
Don't bother me with that story. I'd have to go searching people's houses
every day with twenty constables and policemen, I'd have to search every
house in the village.
MRS. WOLFF
Then you better go an' start with my house, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
Well, isn't that ridiculous? No, no, gentlemen: that's not the way. That
method will lead us nowhither, now or later. You must give me entire
freedom of action. I have my own suspicions and will continue to make my
observations. There are a number of shady characters here on whom I have
my eye. Early in the morning they ride in to Berlin with heavy baskets on
their backs, and in the evening they bring home the same baskets empty.
KRUEGER
I suppose you mean the vegetable hucksters. That's what they do.
WEHRHAHN
Not only the vegetable hucksters, Mr. Krueger. And I have no doubt but
that your coat travelled in the same way.
MRS. WOLFF
That's possible, all right. There ain't nothin' impossible in _this_
world, I tell you.
WEHRHAHN
Well, then! Now, what did you want to announce?
WULKOW
A little girl, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
I will do all that is possible.
KRUEGER
I won't let the matter rest until I get back my coat.
WEHRHAHN
Well, whatever can be done will be done. Mrs. Wolff can use her ears a
little.
MRS. WOLFF
The trouble is I don't know how to act like a spy. But if things like
that don't come out--there ain't no sayin' what's safe no more.
KRUEGER
You are quite right, Mrs. Wolff, quite right. [_To WEHRHAHN._] I must ask
you to examine that package carefully. The handwriting on the slip that
was found in it may lead to a discovery. And day after to-morrow morning,
your honour, I will take the liberty of troubling you again. Good
morning!
[_Exit._
FLEISCHER
Good morning.
[_Exit._
WEHRHAHN
[_To WULKOW._] How old are you?--There's something wrong with those two
fellows up here. [_He touches his forehead. To WULKOW._] What is your
name?
WULKOW
August Philip Wulkow.
WEHRHAHN
[_To MITTELDORF._] Go over to my apartment. That Motes is still sitting
there and waiting. Tell him I am sorry but I have other things to do this
morning.
MITTELDORF
An' you don't want him to wait?
WEHRHAHN
[_Harshly._] No, he needn't wait!
[_MITTELDORF, exit._
WEHRHAHN
[_To MRS. WOLFF._] Do you know this author Motes?
MRS. WOLFF
When it comes to people like that, your honour, I'd rather go an' hold my
tongue. There ain't much good that I could tell you.
WEHRHAHN
[_Ironically._] But you could tell me a great deal that's good about
Fleischer.
MRS. WOLFF
He ain't no bad sort, an' that's a fac'.
WEHRHAHN
I suppose you're trying to be a bit careful in what you say.
MRS. WOLFF
No, I ain't much good at that. I'm right out with things, your honour. If
I hadn't always gone an' been right out with what I got to say, I might
ha' been a good bit further along in the world.
WEHRHAHN
That policy has never done you any harm with me.
MRS. WOLFF
No, not with you, your honour. You c'n stand bein' spoken to honest.
Nobody don't need to be sneaky 'round you.
WEHRHAHN
In short: Fleischer is a man of honour.
MRS. WOLFF
That he is! That he is!
WEHRHAHN
Well, you remember my words of to-day.
MRS. WOLFF
An' you remember mine.
WEHRHAHN
Very well. The future will show. [_He stretches himself, gets up, and
stamps his feet gently on the floor. To WULKOW._] This is our excellent
washerwoman. She thinks that all people are like herself. [_To MRS.
WOLFF._] But unfortunately the world is differently made. You see human
beings from the outside; a man like myself has learned to look a little
deeper. [_He takes a few paces, then stops before her and lays his hand
on her shoulder._] And as surely as it is true when I say: Mrs. Wolff is
an honest woman; so surely I tell you: this Dr. Fleischer of yours, of
whom we were speaking, is a thoroughly dangerous person!
MRS. WOLFF
[_Shaking her head resignedly._] Well, then I don't know no more what to
think ...