“Did you know that Dr. Barinskoi was a Nihilist?”

“Yes.”

“And you did not let that make any difference to you?”

“I was not afraid of infection,” said Wilhelm, and smiled again.

“Perhaps not, but of being compromised,” growled the magistrate.

“That idea has not troubled me as yet.”

“You inherited from a friend who committed suicide a large fortune, which you use chiefly for the benefit of Socialist workmen?”

“I use it for the benefit of the poor, and those I certainly find more frequently among the Socialist workmen than among factory owners and householders.”

“I’ll thank you to remember that this is not the place for making bad jokes!” roared the magistrate.

“You are quite right,” Wilhelm answered serenely.  “I know nothing more unpleasant than bad jokes.”

Schrotter looked as if he were going to embrace his friend.  He had never seen him from this side.

“Did it never occur to you to put yourself in communication with the clergymen of your district, these gentlemen having far greater facilities for finding out deserving objects of charity than a private person?”

“I will answer that question when you have had the goodness to explain to me what connection it has with this man’s denunciation.”

The magistrate glared at him in a manner calculated to wither him on the spot, but only met a quiet, smiling face which he was incapable of intimidating.

“May I request you now,” said Schrotter in his turn, “to ask the witness Patke if for the last few weeks he has not been a candidate for a post as detective on the political police staff?” Schrotter too had made a variety of inquiries since last Sunday, and had learned this fact.

“That is so,” stammered Patke, turning very red.  “In these terrible times, when the Socialists and the enemies of the country—­”

“Silence, Herr Patke,” interrupted the magistrate angrily; “that has nothing to do with the business on hand.”  He reflected for awhile, and then said with the most deeply grudging manner—­“The statement of the one witness—­seeing too that it is indefinite in some important points—­is not sufficient to warrant me in passing a sentence, in spite of many good grounds for suspicion afforded by your past history and known opinions.  I will therefore dismiss the charge, if only to avoid the public scandal of a Member being accused of lese majeste.”

Schrotter was boiling with rage, and had the greatest difficulty in restraining his naturally passionate temper.  “Many thanks for your kindness,” he said in a choking voice, “and for this scoundrel you have no reprimand?”

“Sir,” screamed the magistrate, springing out of his chair with fury, “leave this room instantly; and you, Herr Patke, if you wish to bring an action for libel against the gentleman you may call upon me as a witness.”

Patke was too modest to avail himself of this friendly offer.  Wilhelm dragged Schrotter out of the office as fast as he could, and even outside they still heard the magistrate’s grunts of wrath.