Ah, Holtzmann--this is very good of you. I'm extremely obliged to you for coming. (_Shakes hands with him_.) Sorry to have kept you waiting. (_Takes off his hat and coat_.) Sit down--sit down.--That is,--perhaps we'd better-- Oh, well, my wife's not likely to come in just now.--A cigarette? Holtzmann. Thanks. I don't smoke. Kellinghausen (_lighting a cigarette_). You remember Meixner the fellow who gave us such a lot of trouble during the elections? I believe you and he have crossed swords once or twice in public; and didn't you tell me that you knew him personally? When was it that you ran across him? Holtzmann. There was only one inn in the village, and his room and mine were on the same landing. The meeting was over at eleven, and I went to bed soon after. About midnight in walks Meixner, as cool as you please, and sits down on my bed. "We haven't finished that argument yet. Let's have it out now," he said. And there he sat till six in the morning. Kellinghausen. (_Takes a copy of the_ "_Lengenfeld News_" _out of his pocket and glances at it_.) Did that happen before or after the twelfth of January? Holtzmann. It happened before he made that speech. Kellinghausen (_startled_). What? You knew----? Holtzmann. Why--naturally. Kellinghausen. Herr Holtzmann, we were in the train together for hours. We drove together for miles. I have always treated you as a friend. Why did you never speak of this? (Holtzmann _remains silent_.) Let me tell you one thing: you can't put me off with a shrug. If you think you can, you don't know me. Holtzmann. I beg your pardon, Count Kellinghausen--but I must remind you that I am not in your service. Kellinghausen. My dear Herr Holtzmann, you are known as one of the most zealous supporters of our party. Probably you attach some importance to that fact. Your silence in this matter surprises me, and I shall not fail to draw my own conclusions. Holtzmann (_rising_). You must draw what conclusions you please, sir. Personally I have nothing to gain by serving your party. I might have a living at any moment, and if I have preferred, for the present, to devote myself to politics, it was only because I thought I could be of use to the cause. Kellinghausen (_after a pause_). I have offended you. You must make allowances for my excitement--this business has unnerved me. (_Holds out his hand_.) Sit down again and let me ask you a question. Has this Meixner any recognised standing in his party, or is he merely a hanger-on? Holtzmann. He must have a certain standing, since he is their candidate for the next election.