Page:H.M. The Patrioteer.djvu/205

Rh submit the question to me," croaked Sprezius. "Whether I put it to the witness or not is for me to decide." But Diederich observed with astonishment that both had found a determined adversary. Wolfgang remained on his feet. In the ringing tones of an orator he demurred to the stand taken by the presiding judge, which was prejudicial to the rights of the defence. He moved that the court make a ruling as to whether the right of cross-examining witnesses directly was not conferred upon him by the rules of criminal procedure. Sprezius snapped his beak in vain. He had no alternative but to withdraw into the consulting room with the four judges. Buck looked around in triumph. His cousins moved their hands as if applauding. But in the meantime his father had also come in, and people noticed how old Buck made a sign of disapproval to his son. The accused, for his part, shook his counsel's hand, his apoplectic face expressing angry excitement. Diederich, who was exposed to the gaze of all, struck an attitude and surveyed the scene. But, alas, Guste Daimchen avoided his glance! Old Buck was the only one who gave a friendly nod. He was pleased with Diederich's evidence. He even forced his way out of the crowded auditorium in order to proffer his soft, white hand to Diederich. "Many thanks, dear friend," he said. "You have treated the matter as it deserved." In his loneliness Diederich felt the tears coming to his eyes in the presence of such kindness from the great man. Only after Herr Buck had gone back to his seat again did it dawn on Diederich that here he was promoting the other's interests. And the son, Wolfgang, too was by no means the weakling Diederich had imagined. Probably he had indulged in those political debates just in order to use them against him here. Loyalty, true German loyalty, did not exist any more. Nobody could be trusted. "How long am I to stand here and be gaped at from all sides?"

Fortunately the judges were returning. Old Kühlemann exchanged a glance of regret with old Buck, and Sprezius, with remarkable self-control, read out the decision. Whether