And you are at present the chairman
of a district society of progressive opinions?"
"I have that honor."
"There is nothing further against you. And you, Dr. Eynhardt, you
refused the Iron Cross in the late campaign?"
"Yes."
"You were discharged from the army without comment?"
"Yes."
"For declining a duel," observed Schrotter.
"Dr. Eynhardt is of age, and can answer for himself. You have
attended Socialist meetings?"
"Only once."
"And made speeches?"
"One speech?"
"And that was directed against Socialism," said Schrotter again.
The magistrate grew lobster-red in the face.
"It is really scandalous," he cried, quivering with rage, "that I am
repeatedly obliged to remind a man of your position that he is only
to answer when spoken to. Why didn't you say yourself, Dr. Eynhardt,
that you had spoken against the Socialists?"
"Because you did not ask me," answered Wilhelm, with a gentle smile.
After a slight pause the magistrate resumed--"You are on friendly
terms with a Russian named Dr. Barinskoi?"
"You can hardly call it that. I did know him, though not exactly in
a friendly way, but for two years I have quite lost sight of him."
"Did you know that Dr. Barinskoi was a Nihilist?"
"Yes.
Pages:
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305