"I?" Diederich started up in desperation. "I heard nothing, not a word!"
"That does not accord with your testimony before the court of inquiry."
Diederich became confused. "At first one doesn't know what to say. But now, when I think over the questionable incident, it seems to me we were all pretty merry, particularly myself."
"Particularly yourself," repeated Fritzsche.
"Yes, and I probably put leading questions to Herr Lauer. What his answers were I am no longer prepared to swear. Anyhow, the whole thing was a joke."
"Oh, I see: a joke." Fritzsche breathed more freely. "Well, what is to prevent you from simply telling the judge that?" He raised a warning finger. "Not that I have any desire to influence your testimony."
Diederich raised his voice. "I shall never forgive Jadassohn for this trick!" He described the manoeuvres of this gentleman, who had purposely gone out during the scene, so that he could not be cited as a witness; who had then begun immediately to assemble evidence for the prosecution, taking advantage of the more or less irresponsible condition of those present, and binding them in advance with their testimony. "Herr Lauer and I know each other to be men of honour. What right has this Jew to egg us into a quarrel?"
Fritzsche carefully explained that Jadassohn personally was not concerned in this; that it was the Public Prosecutor who had taken action. Of course, it must be admitted that Jadassohn was perhaps inclined to be overzealous. Lowering his voice he continued: "You see, that is why we do not like working with these Jewish gentlemen. A man like that never asks himself what impression it will make upon the public, when an educated man, an employer of labour, is condemned for lèse-majesté. His radical methods take no account of material considerations."
