Prince.

_Now_ you've done it, young man!

Kellinghausen.

Do any of you know what he's driving at?

Brachtmann.

Yes.

Kellinghausen.

Richard, what does this mean? What is going on behind my back? You call yourself my friend--why have you kept me in the dark?

Richard (_very quietly_).

In the first place, dear Michael, we only heard of the business an hour or two ago; in the second place (_as he speaks_, Beata _enters from behind_), I am mixed up in it myself.

Kellinghausen.

You? In a slander that concerns me? (Richard _nods without speaking_.) Then there was all the more reason----

Brachtmann.

My dear Kellinghausen, the fault is mine. For the sake of the party, I asked Volkerlingk not to--

Prince (_suddenly noticing_ Beata).

H'm. Perhaps we had better-- (_he advances toward_ Beata). My dear Countess----

Beata _enters quietly_.

Beata.

Don't be afraid. I know what you are speaking of. I know all about it.

Michael, if these gentlemen would allow us to talk the matter over by ourselves----

Kellinghausen.

Thank you, my dear. But I think you had better keep out of it.

Richard--Brachtmann--if you'll come to my study---- (_They both a.s.sent_.)

Richard (_approaching_ Beata).

I will say good-night, Countess.

Beata.

Good-night, my dear Volkerlingk. (_Rapidly, in a low voice, as he bends above her hand_.) Does he know?

Richard (_in the same tone_).

Not yet.

Beata (_aloud, with conventional cordiality_).

I shall see you to-morrow? (Richard _bows, and follows the other men toward the door_.)

Curtain.

ACT III

ACT III

_The same scene: in the afternoon_. Holtzmann _is waiting. Enter_ Kellinghausen _in hat and fur-lined coat_.

Kellinghausen.

Ah, Holtzmann--this is very good of you. I'm extremely obliged to you for coming. (_Shakes hands with him_.) Sorry to have kept you waiting.

(_Takes off his hat and coat_.) Sit down--sit down.--That is,--perhaps we'd better-- Oh, well, my wife's not likely to come in just now.--A cigarette?

Holtzmann.

Thanks. I don't smoke.

Kellinghausen (_lighting a cigarette_).

You remember Meixner the fellow who gave us such a lot of trouble during the elections? I believe you and he have crossed swords once or twice in public; and didn't you tell me that you knew him personally?

When was it that you ran across him?

Holtzmann.

There was only one inn in the village, and his room and mine were on the same landing. The meeting was over at eleven, and I went to bed soon after. About midnight in walks Meixner, as cool as you please, and sits down on my bed. "We haven't finished that argument yet. Let's have it out now," he said. And there he sat till six in the morning.

Kellinghausen.

(_Takes a copy of the_ "_Lengenfeld News_" _out of his pocket and glances at it_.) Did that happen before or after the twelfth of January?

Holtzmann.