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"What do you mean, exactly?" asked Diederich uneasily. "I am thinking of taking proceedings for lèse-majesté"

"You?"

"Certainly I am. State Attorney Feiser is away on sick leave and I am in charge. As I pointed out yesterday, immediately after the incident, and in the presence of witnesses, I was not present when the offence was committed. I am not, therefore, disqualified from representing the prosecuting authorities at the trial."

"But if nobody lodges a complaint?"

Jadassohn smiled grimly. "The Lord be praised, that is not necessary. &hellip; In any case, let me remind you that yesterday you yourself offered to appear as a witness."

"I know nothing about it," said Diederich quickly. Jadassohn clapped him on the shoulder. "I trust you will be able to remember everything when you are put on your oath." Then Diederich became indignant, and his voice became so loud that Klappsch glanced into the room discreetly.

"Herr Assessor, I am greatly astonished that my private remarks— Obviously it is your intention to secure rapid promotion by means of a political trial, but I fail to see why I should be concerned with your career."

"And does yours concern me?" asked Jadassohn.

"I see. Then we are opponents?"

"I hope that may be avoidable," and Jadassohn proceeded to prove that he had no reason to be afraid of the trial. All the witnesses of what happened at the Ratskeller would have to give the same evidence as himself, including Lauer's friends. Diederich would not have to thrust himself too much to the fore in any way. &hellip; Diederich replied that he had unfortunately done so already, for it was he, after all, who had had the row with Lauer. But Jadassohn quieted his fears. "Nobody will bother about that. The question is whether the incriminating words were spoken by Herr Lauer. You will