First of all, Professor, be assured that I have nothing to do with this whole affair, and merely come at the request of the purchaser. Not until I came here, did I know anything of what was going on. I hope you will take my word for that. BOLZ. Well, I find this game unseemly, and I insist on being told who this new owner is who mysteriously hides behind different persons! _Enter_ ADELAIDE _from the side door, left._ ADELAIDE. He stands before you! BOLZ. I should just like to faint. BELLMAUS. That is a heavenly joke! ADELAIDE (_bowing_). How do you do, gentlemen! [_To the staff_.] Am I right in assuming that these gentlemen have hitherto been connected with editing the paper? BELLMAUS (_eagerly_). Yes, Miss Runeck! Mr. Kämpe for leading articles, Mr. Körner for the French and English correspondence, and I for theatre, music, fine arts, and miscellaneous. ADELAIDE. I shall be much pleased if your principles will let you continue devoting your talents to my newspaper. [_The three members of the staff bow_.] BELLMAUS (_laying his hand on his heart_). Miss Runeck, under your editorship I'll go to the ends of the world! ADELAIDE (_smiling and politely_). Ah, no, merely into that room. [_Points to the door on the right_.] I need half an hour to collect my thoughts for my new activities. BELLMAUS (_while departing_). That's the best thing I ever heard! [BELLMAUS, KÄMPE, KÖRNER _leave_.] ADELAIDE. Professor, you resigned the management of the paper with a readiness which delights me. (_Pointedly_.) I wish to edit the _Union_ in my own fashion. [_Seizes his hand and leads him to the_ COLONEL.] Colonel, he is no longer editor; we have outwitted him; you have your satisfaction. COLONEL (_holding out his arms to him_). Come, Oldendorf! For what happened I have been sorry since the moment we parted. OLDENDORF. My honored friend! ADELAIDE (_pointing to the door on the left_). There is some one else in there who wants to take part in the reconciliation. It might be Mr. Gabriel Henning. IDA _appears at the side door_. IDA. Edward! [OLDENDORF _hurries to the door_, IDA _meets him, he embraces her. Both leave on the left. The_ COLONEL _follows_.] ADELAIDE (_sweetly_). Before asking you, Mr. von Senden, to interest yourself in the editing of the newspaper, I beg you to read through this correspondence which I received as a contribution to my columns. SENDEN (_takes a glance at them_). Miss Runeck, I don't know whose indiscretion-- ADELAIDE. Fear none on my part. I am a newspaper proprietor, and (_with, marked emphasis_) shall keep editorial secrets. [SENDEN _bows_.] May I ask for the deed, Judge? And will you gentlemen be kind enough to ease the mind of the vendor as to the outcome of the transaction? [_Mutual bows_. SENDEN _and_ SCHWARZ _leave_.] ADELAIDE (_after a short pause_). Now, Mr. Bolz, what am I going to do about you? BOLZ.