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Rh simply make your statement, like the other witnesses, but use a little discretion, if you like."

"With the utmost discretion!" Diederich assured him. Then, prompted by Jadassohn's Mephistophelian air: "How do I come to be the means of landing a decent man like Lauer in jail? After all, he is a decent man. In my eyes there is no shame in professing certain political opinions!"

"Especially when they are professed by the son-in-law of old Buck, whom you need for the moment," concluded Jadassohn—and Diederich bowed his head. This Jew climber was exploiting him shamelessly and he was helpless. And then, people talked of friendship! Again he reminded himself that everybody else was much more brutal and unscrupulous in life than he was. The great task was to be hard. He drew himself up stiffly in his chair and glared, but he preferred to leave it at that. With these officials of the Public Prosecutor's you never could tell. &hellip; For the rest, Jadassohn turned the conversation into other channels.

"I suppose you know that in the government offices and in the courts there are curious rumours afloat about His Majesty's telegram to the commanding officer of the regiment? The colonel is said to have denied that he ever received a telegram."

Although he was quaking inwardly, Diederich kept his voice in control. "But it was published in the press!" Jadassohn grinned ambiguously. "You can't believe everything you read in the papers." He ordered Klappsch, who again shoved his head in the doorway, to bring the "Netzig Journal." "Look here, this number is devoted exclusively to His Majesty. The leading article deals with the declaration of the All Highest concerning revealed religion. Then comes the telegram to the colonel, then the local news of the sentry's act of heroism, mixed up with three anecdotes about the Royal Family."

"They are very touching stories," remarked Klappsch, rolling his eyes.