Fischer gave a short, understanding nod and moved away. Diederich began at once to shout. Some one had been smoking! They told him it was only his own cigar which he smelt. To the representative of Büschli & Co. he said: "Anyway, I am insured, but we must have discipline. Aren't these works fine?"
"Old stuff," retorted Herr Kienast, with a hostile glance at the machines. "All right, my friend," sneered Diederich, "but they're as good as your cutting machine, in any case." Ignoring Kienast's protest, he began to belittle the capacity of the domestic manufacturers. He was waiting until his trip to England before installing his new fittings. He was forging ahead at a great rate. Business had developed enormously since he took charge. "Arid there is still room for development." He drew on his imagination. "I have now contract with twenty local newspapers. The Berlin houses will drive me mad. …" Kienast interrupted him brusquely:
"Then you must just have despatched all your orders, for I don't see any finished goods about." Diederich became indignant. "Sir! Allow me to tell you that only yesterday I sent a circular to all my smaller customers, informing them that I could promise no more deliveries until our new building was completed."
The machinist came to fetch the gentlemen. The new Patent Cylinder machine was half full, but the material still passed through it very slowly, and had to be helped by a man with the stirring-pole. Diederich held his watch in his hand. "Now, let us see. You state that in your machine the stuff takes twenty to thirty seconds to go right round. I have already counted fifty. Machinist, pay out more material. … What is wrong, it is taking ages."
Kienast was bending over the bowl. He straightened up and smiled facetiously. "Of course, if the valves are stopped up. …" He gave Diederich a searching look which the other's eyes failed to meet. "I cannot say offhand what else
