Oh, thou wilt have a fearful awakening, little Orsini!  Bellmaus, pour me out some wine.  But if the story be not true, if this Coriolanus have lied, by the purple in this glass be it sworn I will be his murderer!  The grimmest revenge that ever an injured journalist took shall fall on his head; he shall bleed to death from pin-pricks; every poodle in the street shall look on him scornfully and say:  “Fie, Coriolanus, I wouldn’t take a bite at you even if you were a sausage.” [A knock is heard.  BOLZ lays down his knife.] Memento mori!  There are our grave-diggers.  The last oyster, now, and then farewell thou lovely world!

Enter JUDGE SCHWARZ and SENDEN from the door on the left; the door remains open.

SCHWARZ.

Obedient servant, gentlemen!

SENDEN.

Your pardon if we disturb you.

BOLZ (remaining seated at the table).

Not in the least.  This is our regular luncheon, contracted for a whole year—­fifty oysters and two bottles daily for each member of the staff.  Whoever buys the newspaper has to furnish it.

SCHWARZ.

What brings us here, Professor, is a communication which Mr. Henning should have been the first to make to you.  He preferred handing over the task to me.

OLDENDORF.

I await your communication.

SCHWARZ.

Mr. Henning has, from yesterday on, transferred to me by sale all rights pertaining to him as owner of the newspaper Union.

OLDENDORF.

To you, Judge?

SCHWARZ.

I acknowledge that I have bought it merely as accredited agent of a third person.  Here is the deed; it contains no secrets. [Hands him a paper.]

OLDENDORF (looking through it, to BOLZ).

It is drawn up by a notary in due form—­sold for thirty thousand thalers. [Agitation among the staff-members.] Let me get to the bottom of the matter.  Is this change of owner also to be connected with a change in the political attitude of the sheet?

SENDEN (coming forward).

Certainly, Professor, that was the intention in making the purchase.

OLDENDORF.

Do I possibly see in you the new owner?

SENDEN.

Not that, but I have the honor to be a friend of his.  You yourself, as well as these gentlemen, have a right to demand the fulfilment of your contracts.  Your contracts provide, I understand, for six months’ notice.  It goes without saying that you continue to draw your salary until the expiration of this term.

BOLZ (rising).

You are very kind, Mr. von Senden.  Our contracts empower us to edit the paper as we see fit, and to control its tone and its party affiliations.  For the next half-year, therefore, we shall not only continue to draw our salaries but also to conduct the paper for the benefit of the party to which you have not the honor to belong.