be an expensive luxury if it came into his hands. Of course, he would soon have to leave his own, and this also showed that he was not counting on Gausenfeld. "But," declared Diederich, "the old man is not on a bed of roses. Who knows how his lawsuit will end. And just because I have to fight him politically, I want to show—you understand." People understood and congratulated Diederich on his more than creditable action. Diederich modestly demurred. "He accused me of lacking idealism, and I had to prove that he was wrong." A note of virile emotion trembled in his voice.
The Fates pursued their course, and if in many cases they encountered difficulties, it was all the more pleasant to find them running smoothly in one's own case. Diederich fully realised this on the day Napoleon Fischer left for Berlin to vote against the Army Bill. The Socialist paper had announced a monster demonstration, and the station was to be occupied by the police. It was the duty of every loyal citizen to be present. Diederich ran into Jadassohn en route. They greeted one another formally as befitted the coolness which had sprung up between them. "Are you also going to have a look at the show?" asked Diederich.
"I am going on a holiday—to Paris." As a matter of fact Jadassohn was wearing knickerbockers. "If only to avoid the political imbecilities which have been going on here," he added.
Diederich resolved to ignore loftily the spite of a man who had had no success. "It has been said that you were now going to settle down."
"I? Why so?"
"Isn't Fräulein Zillich away at her aunt's?"
"Her aunt's is good!" Jadassohn grinned. "And people thought … I suppose you did, too?"
"Leave me out of it." Diederich looked very knowing. "But why is her aunt's good? Where has she gone, then?"
"Kicked over the traces," said Jadassohn. Then Diederich
