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