BEERMANN. Imagine my position. I know positively that my name is in that book. It means that I am simply done for by the cursed thing. HAUSER. Is it so certain that your name is in the book? BEERMANN [loudly]. Yes, sir. HAUSER. It may be possible that ... BEERMANN. It is not at all possible. My name is there. Shall I quietly sit and wait until I am ruined? You know that I would be ruined if it became public. Fancy, I, the candidate for the Reichstag; I, the President of the Society for the Suppression of Vice! All the papers would be full of it. HAUSER. Oh, yes, it would be quite interesting. BEERMANN. Then think of the consequences here in the City! In the family! Why, I would be killed outright! Lord, how I tried to hammer it into the head of that stupid man in the Police Department so he could understand what terrible mischief this will make. HAUSER [frightened]. You went to Police Headquarters? BEERMANN. Of course, I was there. HAUSER. Did you confess? BEERMANN. How can you suppose that? [Sits down again.] I spoke for the others. I explained to the official that he is showing up the influential element; that he is injuring the established order of society,--but [he touches his forehead with his palm] that fellow has nothing but police ordinances in his head. HAUSER. Shouting will not help us a bit. Remain cool and collected. One thing is important, at this moment. Has the diary reached the District Attorney's office? BEERMANN. No, it has not. HAUSER. Well, as long as it remains in the Police Department there are still possibilities. BEERMANN. It is not in the Police Department either. HAUSER. Of course it is there. Where else should it be? BEERMANN [indicating his side pocket]. Here. HAUSER [amazed]. What? BEERMANN [takes the diary out of his side pocket and places it on the table]. Here it is. HAUSER. So, this is the celebrated diary of Madame Hauteville. [Beermann nods.] Who gave it to you? BEERMANN. Nobody. I just took it. HAUSER. You mean; you sto ... BEERMANN.... Stole it, yes, sir. HAUSER [pulls back his chair and breaks into a loud laugh]. You did that! [He laughs.] ... Say, that's pretty good. Now I am beginning to respect you. Confound it, I would never have given you credit for a stunt like this. [He laughs and slaps his knee.] BEERMANN. Laugh, while I am dying of fright. HAUSER. Don't spoil my good impression of you! I am on the point of admiring you. [He laughs again.] Let me apologize. I always held you as a wishy-washy bourgeois and now you go and pull this thing off. BEERMANN. You had better give me some advice. I have not had a quiet moment since I took the book. I want to destroy it but how can I? If I tear it up the pieces will be found. HAUSER. Burn it.