Beermann [greatly relieved].  Well, calm yourself, Herr Assessor.  It will come out right in the end.

Stroebel [downcast].  No, it can never come out right.

Beermann [soothingly].  Sit down nicely in this chair—­so!  I’ll sit next to you here—­so! ...  And now let us see about it. [They seat themselves on the left, upstage.] Do you know, I am beginning to feel much better already.  So the diary is in your desk.

Stroebel.  For my part, let it be buried a thousand feet deep.  For God’s sake, don’t talk of it any more.  It takes us away from my subject.

Beermann.  That’s right.  We shan’t talk of it any more.  Now let me see, I called on you about the Hauteville case. ...

Stroebel.  And on this occasion you demanded that the police suppress the matter.

Beermann.  Quite true, I did that.

Stroebel.  There you are!  And that’s why I thought you were mostly interested in avoiding scandal.  Beermann.  In what way?

Stroebel.  Not personally, but from a wholly humanitarian or civic standpoint.  You even told me that just because of your position as President of the Society for the Suppression of Vice, you regarded it as your duty to keep this matter out of the courts.

Beermann.  Only for the common welfare.

Stroebel.  And out of consideration for public opinion.  I had the impression that these considerations were of great importance to you.

Beermann.  And still are.  Do you think I change my views?  I repeat to you, that I would consider this court trial a misfortune because it would be contrary to the established order of Society.

Stroebel.  Then we are agreed in our principles!

Beermann.  You too?

Stroebel.  Absolutely.

Beermann.  I thought that you had ... this forenoon ...

Stroebel.  And I was also mistaken because you didn’t seem to remember.  But at any rate we agree in our principles. [They shake hands.] Although that does not accomplish anything still it is a great relief to me that we understand each other.  I am coming now to the real purpose of my visit. [He clears his throat.] Herr Beermann, I must demand your word of honor that not a syllable of what I tell you will ever pass your lips.

Beermann.  My sacred word of honor.

Stroebel.  These are official secrets, perhaps even State secrets, and a single careless word might have tremendous consequences.

Beermann.  You can depend on me.

Stroebel.  Not even to your family.

Beermann.  Not a breath.

Stroebel.  To tell you:  Since you were at my office this morning there were most remarkable developments, quite unique in their way.  But I have your word of honor—­have I not?