To be
sure, he behaved no better to the informer. His expression of
unmitigated disgust was perhaps a freak of nature, and no indication
of the true state of his feelings.
He had a bundle of papers before him, in which he searched for some
time before opening his mouth.
"You are accused of having made use of offensive expressions
regarding his majesty," he said to Schrotter.
"On a preposterously unfounded charge," he retorted.
"And you too," he turned to Wilhelm.
"I can only repeat Dr. Schrotter's answer."
"Give your evidence," he ordered the policeman.
The man did so.
"Could you understand what the gentleman said?"
"No."
"How far was Patke behind them?"
"A few steps."
"You must be more exact."
"I can't say more exactly than that, for I paid no attention to the
gentlemen till I was told to arrest them."
"Is it your opinion that Herr Patke could have heard distinctly what
the gentlemen were saying to one another?"
"I dare say he might have understood if they spoke very loud, but I
can't say for certain."
"Herr Patke, what have you to say?"
The former non-commissioned officer, who had donned his 1870 medal
for the occasion, hereupon assumed a strictly military bearing,
fixed his eye firmly on the magistrate, and began in a sing-song
voice:
"I happened to be in the street last Sunday when the infamous wretch
lifted his murderous hand against the sacred person of our august
monarch.
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