Page:The Jail, Experiences in 1916.pdf/46

 ded "Čas" was already residing in Vienna, and with them Dr. Soukup as well.

He, however, was soon set at liberty, as nothing incriminating could be associated with him.

I have a keen recollection of December 5th. Such days as these engrave ineradicable traces upon the memory.

It was not an agreeable day. Dull, overcast, chilly and dismal. Before 9 o'clock, as I had been summoned, I entered the building of the Military Court. I had been there six months previously to see Dr. Preminger. A porter was there who saluted.–curious; today I took his salute as a matter of course, as an insignificant phenomenon,—in another six months it will emerge as something particularly remarkable to me, for I shall see that this building has yet other entrances which are without porters who salute.

In the witnesses room there were already a few gentlemen. Others arrived,—some I knew, with others I became acquainted. We were all assembled on behalf of Dr. Kramář and associates. Chief director Dr. Mattuš, Dean Burian, Švehla, Prokůpek, Mayor Groš, Dr. Soukup,—we were all waiting.

A sergeant-major arrived, read out our names and conducted us into the hall. On a platform in a semi-circle were the judges,—uniform beside uniform, medals on their chests, crosses,—twenty or thirty persons, I do not know exactly,—several silver-braided collars,—and the whole thing a blurred picture of combed heads, moustaches, eyes, ears, noses,—and nothing by which the glance was forcibly arrested. We received our admonition as witnesses and returned to the room.

From the windows there was a view below of small courtyards and a large one. Above them arose several stories with barred