BOLZ (_drawing_ OLDENDORF _to the front_).
And you are no longer vexed with us?
OLDENDORF.
Your intention was good, but it was a great indiscretion.
BOLZ.
Forget all about it! (_Aloud_.) Here, take your gla.s.s and sit down with us. Don"t be proud, young statesman! Today you are one of us.
Well, here sits the editorial staff! Where is worthy Mr.
Henning--where tarries our owner, printer and publisher, Gabriel Henning?
KaMPE.
I met him a little while ago on the stairs. He crept by me as shyly as though he were some one who had been up to mischief.
BOLZ.
Probably he feels as Oldendorf does--he is again not pleased with the att.i.tude of the paper.
MILLER (_thrusting in his head_).
The papers and the mail!
BOLZ.
Over there! [MILLER _enters, lays the papers on the work-table._]
MILLER.
Here is the _Coriola.n.u.s_. There is something in it about our paper.
The errand-boy of the _Coriola.n.u.s_ grinned at me scornfully, and recommended me to look over the article.
BOLZ.
Give it here! Be quiet, Romans, _Coriola.n.u.s_ speaks.--All ye devils, what does that mean? [_Reads_.] "On the best of authority we have just been informed that a great change is imminent in the newspaper affairs of our province. Our opponent, the _Union_, will cease to direct her wild attacks against all that is high and holy."--This high and holy means Blumenberg.--"The ownership is said to have gone over into other hands, and there is a sure prospect that we shall be able from now on to greet as an ally this widely read sheet." How does that taste to you, gentlemen?
MILLER} Thunder! KaMPE.}_(All together_.) Nonsense! BELLMAUS.} It"s a lie!
OLDENDORF.
It"s another of Blumenberg"s reckless inventions.
BOLZ.
There is something behind it all. Go and get me Gabriel Henning.
[_Exit_ MILLER.] This owner has played the traitor; we have been poisoned. [_Springing up._] And this is the feast of the Borgia!
Presently the _misericordia_ will enter and sing our dirge. Do me the favor at least to eat up the oysters before it be too late.
OLDENDORF (_who has seized the newspaper_.)
Evidently this news is only an uncertain rumor. Henning will tell us there is no truth in it. Stop seeing ghosts, and sit down with us.
BOLZ (_seating himself_).
I sit down, not because I put faith in your words, but because I don"t wish to do injustice to the lunch. Get hold of Henning; he must give an account of himself.
OLDENDORF.
But, as you heard, he is not at home.
BOLZ (_zealously eating_).
Oh, thou wilt have a fearful awakening, little Orsini! Bellmaus, pour me out some wine. But if the story be not true, if this _Coriola.n.u.s_ have lied, by the purple in this gla.s.s be it sworn I will be his murderer! The grimmest revenge that ever an injured journalist took shall fall on his head; he shall bleed to death from pin-p.r.i.c.ks; every poodle in the street shall look on him scornfully and say: "Fie, _Coriola.n.u.s_, I wouldn"t take a bite at you even if you were a sausage." [_A knock is heard_. BOLZ _lays down his knife.] Memento mori_! There are our grave-diggers. The last oyster, now, and then farewell thou lovely world!
_Enter_ JUDGE SCHWARZ _and_ SENDEN _from the door on the left; the door remains open_.
SCHWARZ.
Obedient servant, gentlemen!
SENDEN.
Your pardon if we disturb you.
BOLZ (_remaining seated at the table_).
Not in the least. This is our regular luncheon, contracted for a whole year--fifty oysters and two bottles daily for each member of the staff. Whoever buys the newspaper has to furnish it.
SCHWARZ.
What brings us here, Professor, is a communication which Mr. Henning should have been the first to make to you. He preferred handing over the task to me.
OLDENDORF.
I await your communication.
SCHWARZ.
Mr. Henning has, from yesterday on, transferred to me by sale all rights pertaining to him as owner of the newspaper _Union_.
OLDENDORF.
To you, Judge?
SCHWARZ.