_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