STROEBEL. Pardon me for a moment. [Stroebel goes to the telephone and this time he turns completely around so that his back is toward Beermann.] Police Department ... yes ... Commissioner; this is Stroebel at the telephone.... [Short pause.] When she was arrested? ... When she was arrested there was Lieutenant Schmuttermaier and an officer.... [Short pause.] Just one policeman ... [Pause.] ... Yes, Commissioner [short pause] I should tell that Lieutenant [short interruption] jackass Schmuttermaier to come over to the office immediately.... [Short pause.] I shall wait for you until you come.... Yes, Commissioner. (During this telephone conversation Beermann steps near to the desk. With a shaking hand he takes up the diary but quickly puts it down again. Then he picks it up again and with a rapid and energetic movement puts it into his breast pocket. Stroebel with a rebuked demeanor goes from the telephone to the desk. Beermann turns around so that Stroebel cannot see his face. He is disturbed and coughs in order to hide his embarrassment. Stroebel presses a button on Reisacher's desk.) BEERMANN [while coughing]. I realize now that nothing more can be done. I shan't take up your time. STROEBEL [anxiously]. No, no, please remain. The Commissioner himself will be here in a moment. Then you may talk to him. BEERMANN. But you just told me that there was no use waiting.... [Reisacher enters through center door.] STROEBEL [urgently to Reisacher]. Reisacher, go and look for Lieutenant Schmuttermaier immediately. If he is not in the building, send to his home or telephone for him. Leave word that he must come over immediately. REISACHER. Yes, Herr Assessor. [Goes out quickly through center door.] BEERMANN. You said yourself that there would be no use. I guess I'd better go. STROEBEL [perturbed]. But do wait for the Commissioner. BEERMANN. There is no use in my waiting. I ... I did all I could ... there seems to be no use ... well then.... Good-bye! [About to go through door on left but the door is quickly opened and the Commissioner appears with Baron Schmettau. The former holds the door open for the Baron. After they have come in, he shuts the door.] COMMISSIONER [to the Baron]. If you please, Herr Baron.... [To Beermann]. Ah ... here is our President of the Society for the Suppression of Vice. [Beermann bows slightly--Commissioner continuing contemptuously.] Well, have you accomplished your mission? [Beermann nods.] Are you satisfied with this arrest or would you like to have us do more? [Angrily.] Once for all, Sir, I forbid you to meddle with the affairs of this office. You can preach your principles wherever else you like, but here I will stand for no interference. [Beermann timidly creeps along the wall, and bows himself out.] [Commissioner to Baron Schmettau.] Whenever the police bungle anything, look for reformers. SCHMETTAU. [with a glance at Stroebel]. Will you introduce me?