Come here a moment, will you, and just glance discreetly over these papers. Do you notice anything? (Brachtmann _shrugs his shoulders_.) I mean among the newspapers.

Brachtmann (_in a low voice, much agitated_).

The devil!--That was what I wanted to speak to you about. (_He points to one of the papers_.)

Prince.

Ah--they've sent you one too?

Brachtmann.

In the same wrapper, addressed in the same hand. An hour ago, just as I left the house. I suppose they haven't had time to look at the last post here.

Prince.

(_Taking up the paper and looking at the wrapper_.) Do you know, I've half a mind----

Brachtmann.

No, no, Prince--can't be done.

Prince.

I know it can't, my dear Baron. That's the very reason.--Don't our political opponents say that property is theft? Why not reverse the axiom, and----

von Berkelwitz.

What the deuce----?

Prince.

Why, instead of putting our hands into other people's pockets, we might put other people's property into ours.

Brachtmann.

Prince, we all know your way----

von Berkelwitz.

If your Highness has made yourself sufficiently witty at our expense, perhaps you'll explain what this is? (_Pointing to the paper_.)

Prince.

This, my dear Herr von Berkelwitz, is a copy of the "Lengenfeld News,"

the Socialist organ----

von Berkelwitz.

Faugh! How can you touch it?

Prince.

Well, it touches _us_, and rather nearly, as you'll see.

von Berkelwitz.

Why, what's up?

Prince.

(_Taking a newspaper out of his pocket_.) Look here----

von Berkelwitz.

That's the same as the other?

Prince.

Precisely. I brought it with me on your account. You will find in it an interesting report of a meeting of Socialist electors. Do me the favour to read the pa.s.sage which they have thoughtfully marked for our benefit.

von Berkelwitz (_reading_).

"It is seldom that the honourable gentlemen of the Right, the self-const.i.tuted guardians of public morality, give us an opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes, in the gilded saloons to which the man in the street may not presume to penetrate"--confound their insolence!--"it is not often that we get a hint of what goes on behind their silken bed-curtains"--h'm, I wish they could see what I sleep on!

Prince.

Go on.

von Berkelwitz (_reading_).

"But now and then a happy accident yields us an edifying glimpse of their private histories. And, if I might venture to speak openly, I could give you such a glimpse into the private life of the honourable member from Lengenfeld, and into his relations with the friend whose seat in the Reichstag he has taken--the confiding friend who, instead of keeping watch in his own house, has been travelling from place to place, canva.s.sing for the honourable member. (Laughter. Prolonged cheering.)" Lengenfeld? Lengen--why, that is Volkerlingk's district.

(Brachtmann _nods affirmatively_.)

von Berkelwitz.

And the friend--the friend who----? (_He breaks off, and points vaguely to the room_. Brachtmann _nods again_.) The deuce!

Brachtmann.

On account of the party I suppose we shall have to take some notice of this.

Prince.

Kellinghausen evidently doesn't know of it yet. But Volkerlingk does. I watched him.

Brachtmann.

The Countess is not well. Who is the proper person to take that paper away before she sees it?