This affair was assuming a threatening appearance for Diederich. Jadassohn had succeeded in getting the Public Prosecutor's Department to summon before a court of inquiry the witnesses of what happened that night. In spite of Diederich's reluctant deposition, the others held him responsible for bringing them into this dilemma. Cohn and Fritzsche avoided him, Herr Buck's brother forgot his natural politeness so far as to cut him dead, and Heuteufel painted his throat ferociously while refusing to talk to him in private. On the day when it became known that the court had served Herr Lauer with a summons, Diederich's table in the Ratskeller was deserted. Professor Kühnchen was just putting on his overcoat and Diederich had just time to seize him by the collar. But Kühnchen was in a hurry, he had to speak against the new Army Bill to the Liberal Voters' Association. He slipped away, and Diederich remembered bitterly that night of victory, when the blood of the domestic enemy had flowed out side in the street and champagne inside in the restaurant, while Kühnchen was the most militant of the patriots present. Now he was opposing the increase of our glorious army! … Alone and forsaken, Diederich gazed into his mug of afternoon beer. Suddenly Major Kunze appeared.
"Hello, Major," said Diederich with forced joviality, "you have been keeping very quiet lately."
"Well, that's more than can be said about you," the major growled, as he stood in his hat and coat, looking about him as if in a desert. "Not a soul about!" "Perhaps you will join me in a glass of wine—" ventured Diederich, but he met a speedy rebuff. "Thanks, I haven't yet got over your champagne." The major ordered beer and sat down in silence, his expression as dark as thunder. Just to break the terrible silence, Diederich suddenly burst out: "I say, Major, what about the Veterans' Association? I thought I should hear something of my election."
The major looked hard at him, as if he would like to kill
