Page:H.M. The Patrioteer.djvu/206

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198
THE PATRIOTEER

sel for the defence had the right of cross-examining witnesses remained undecided, for the question itself: was the witness intoxicated on that occasion? was ruled out as irrelevant. Then the judge asked whether the prosecution had any question to put to the witness. "Not just now," said Jadassohn indifferently, "but I demand that the witness shall not be dismissed for the present," and Diederich was allowed to sit down. "I further demand that Dr. Fritzsche, the examining judge, be called upon immediately to give evidence as to the nature of the witness, Hessling's earlier allegations against the defendant." Diederich cowered. The public all turned towards Judith Lauer. Even the junior members of the bar present looked in her direction. … Jadassohn's request was granted.

Then Pastor Zillich was called, took the oath, and proceeded to give his account of the fateful evening. He declared that it had been a time of crowded impressions, and his conscience as a Christian had been sorely troubled, for just that afternoon blood had been spilled in the streets of Netzig, even though it was for patriotic reasons. "That has nothing to do with the case," said Sprezius decisively—and at that very moment Governor von Wulckow entered the courtroom, dressed in hunting clothes, with great, muddy boots. Every one turned around, the presiding judge bowed from the bench, and Pastor Zillich trembled. The judge and the Public Prosecutor harassed him alternately. Jadassohn even said in tones of dreadful insinuation: "Reverend Sir I need hardly remind you, as a minister of God's word, of the sanctity of the oath you have taken." Then Zillich collapsed and admitted that he had certainly heard the expression alleged to have been employed by the defendant. The latter jumped up and struck his fist on the seat. "I never mentioned the name of the Emperor at all! I took care not to!" His counsel made a sign to him to be quiet and said: "We shall produce evidence to prove that only the provocative intention of the witness, Dr. Hessling, caused the accused to make the statements which have here been misrepresented."