Page:The Jail, Experiences in 1916.pdf/30

 thanks, saying that he only smoked cigarettes. Without a word, Preminger lit his own cigar, the third officer, an otherwise taciturn gentleman, remarked sharply that he smoked only "his own cigars" and also lit up. The smoke floated out through the open window to where the blue sky was spread out above the peaceful earth, and white swelling clouds were borne across it from north to east. There was a rustle of papers: letter after letter was translated, and as I saw that the pile was diminishing, I added fresh supplies to it.

"Tell the agent to come in", said Dr. Preminger to the volunteer officer, "we shan't be finished in two days."

Mr. Kolbe understood Czech. They gave him this and that to read through and express his opinion. Mr. Kolbe read it through and expressed his opinion.

The taciturn person had found a sheet of paper and gave it to Mr. Kolbe to read through and translate. There is a proverb which I once noted down: "To cut up chopped straw and prove that it is oats should not be tried even on a donkey."—Mr. Kolbe translated, the taciturn person asked Preminger whether he should take it with him. Preminger waved him aside. "But that certainly has some bearing upon the Czech nation", insisted the taciturn person. "Eh, Unsinn", said the Captain interfering.

Dr. Preminger suddenly thrust his pile away and stretched himself in his chair. What a fearful lot of letters you have. A paper deluge."

"Tell me, why did you really arrest Dr. Kramář? That is more than an error, it is folly, if I may quote—"

"You think so?" said Preminger smiling.

"The most black-yellow politician in Austria", I went on eagerly, "for fifteen years he has had a thoroughly hellish time amongst us for that very reason."