Page:H.M. The Patrioteer.djvu/230

222 local papers! The government supplies! He was afraid of Wulckow, that was it. The old man must have heard, although he now rarely came into town, that Diederich had attracted the Governor's attention by his evidence. The old paper spider, back there in his web, which covered the whole province and more, felt danger and was uneasy. "He wants to feed me with the 'Netzig Journal'! But he won't get off as cheap as that, not in these hard times! If he only knew what plans I have! Wait until I have Wulckow behind me—I'll simply take over his entire business!" Diederich said these words aloud and struck the desk so that Sotbier jumped up in alarm. "Beware of undue excitement," Diederich mocked. "At your age, Sötbier. I admit that in former years you did a good deal for the firm. But that was a bad business with the cylinder machine. You took away my courage, and now I could use it for the 'Netzig Journal.' You had better take a rest. You are finished."

Amongst the results which the trial brought Diederich was a letter from Major Kunze. The latter wished to clear up a regrettable misunderstanding and informed him that there was now no obstacle to Dr. Hessling's admission, to the Veterans' Association. Deeply moved by this triumph Diederich's im pulse was to clasp the two hands of the old soldier. Fortunately, he made inquiries, and discovered that Governor von Wulckow was responsible for the letter! The Governor had honoured the club with a visit and expressed his amazement at not finding Dr. Hessling there. Then Diederich realised what a power he was, and acted accordingly. To the major's private letter he replied with an official communication to the Club, and requested that two members of the committee should call on him, Major Kunze and Professor Kuhnchen. And they came. Diederich received them in his office, between business calls which he had purposely arranged for the same hour, and he dictated to them the form of an address, whose receipt he made a condition of accepting their flattering invitation. In