now conscious that a desire, a craving, for power, influence, and respect has been the motive of most of my actions.
Rummel.
[Half aloud.] What next?
Bernick.
Before my fellow citizens I do not reproach myself for this; for I still believe that I may claim a place among the foremost of our men of practical usefulness.
Many Voices.
Yes, yes, yes!
Bernick.
What I do blame myself for is my weakness in constantly adopting indirect courses, because I knew and feared the tendency of our society to suspect impure motives behind everything a man undertakes. And now I come to a case in point.
Rummel.
[Anxiously.] H'm—h'm!
Bernick.
There are rumours abroad of great purchases of property along the projected line. This property I have bought—all of it—I alone.
Suppressed Voices.
What does he say? The Consul? Consul Bernick?
Bernick.
It is for the present in my hands. Of course, I have confided in my fellow workers, Messrs. Rummel, Vigeland, and Sandstad, and we have agreed to
