[_Standing and looking through some papers._] I've got to report, your honour--there was first, oh, yes,--the innkeeper Fiebig. He begs for permission, your honour, to have music and dancing at his inn next Sunday. WEHRHAHN Isn't that ... perhaps you can tell me. Fiebig? There was some one who recently rented his hall...? GLASENAPP To the liberals. Quite right, your honour. WEHRHAHN This same Fiebig? GLASENAPP Yes, my lord. WEHRHAHN We'll have to put a check-rein on him for a while. _The constable MITTELDORF enters._ MITTELDORF Servant, my lord. WEHRHAHN Listen here: once and for all--officially I am simply the justice. MITTELDORF Yes, sir. As you wish, my--your honour, I meant to say. WEHRHAHN I wish you would try to understand this fact: my being a baron is purely by the way. Is not, at all events, to be considered here. [_To GLASENAPP._] Now I'd like to hear further, please. Wasn't the author Motes here? GLASENAPP Yes, your honour. WEHRHAHN Aha! So he _was_ here! I confess that I am very curious. I hope that it was his intention to come back? GLASENAPP He intended to be back here about half past eleven. WEHRHAHN Did he by any chance tell you anything? GLASENAPP He came in the matter of Dr. Fleischer. WEHRHAHN Well, now, you may as well tell me--are you acquainted with this Dr. Fleischer? GLASENAPP All I know is that he lives in the Villa Krueger. WEHRHAHN And how long has he been living in this place? GLASENAPP Well, I've been here since Michaelmas. WEHRHAHN To be sure, you came here at the same time with me; about four months ago. GLASENAPP [_Looking toward MITTELDORF for information._] From what I hear the man has been living here about two years. WEHRHAHN [_To MITTELDORF._] I don't suppose you can give us any information? MITTELDORF Beggin' your pardon, he came Michaelmas a year ago. WEHRHAHN At that time he moved here? MITTELDORF Exactly, your honour--from Berlin. WEHRHAHN Have you any more intimate information about this individual? MITTELDORF All I know is his brother is cashier of a theatre. WEHRHAHN I didn't ask for information concerning his brother! What is his occupation?--What does he himself do? What is he? MITTELDORF I don't know as I can say anythin' particular. People do say that he's sick. I suppose he suffers from diabetes. WEHRHAHN I'm quite indifferent as to the character of his malady. He can sweat syrup if it amuses him. _What_ is he? GLASENAPP [_Shrugging his shoulders._] He calls himself a free spear in scholarship. WEHRHAHN Lance! Lance! Not spear! A free lance. GLASENAPP The bookbinder Hugk always does work for him; he has some books bound every week. WEHRHAHN I wouldn't mind seeing what an individual of that kind reads. GLASENAPP The postman thinks he must take in about twenty newspapers. Democratic ones, too. WEHRHAHN You may summon Hugk to this court some time. GLASENAPP Right away? WEHRHAHN