Page:H.M. The Patrioteer.djvu/214

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206
THE PATRIOTEER

ness cannot be ignored by tHis court. He is one of those people whom His Majesty the Emperor has rightly called men with out a country. Further, at regular meetings, which he calls Sunday festivals for free men, he is actively engaged in spreading the crassest atheism, which is sufficient to define his attitude towards a Christian monarch." Jadassohn's ears glowed with an ardour which was in itself a confession of faith. Wolfgang Buck stood up, smiled sceptically and said they all knew that the religious convictions of counsel for the prosecution were monastic in their severity, and that nobody could expect him to give any credence to a non-Christian. His Lordship, however, would think differently and refuse the appeal of the prosecution. Then Jadassohn rose in his wrath. For contempt of his person he demanded that counsel for the defence be fined one hundred marks. The judges withdrew for consultation. Immediately an animated exchange of opinion broke out in the courtroom. Dr. Heuteufel put his hands in his pockets and looked Jadassohn up and down with deliberate contempt. Deprived of the protection of the bench, the latter was panic-stricken and cowered against the wall. It was Diederich who came to his rescue, for he had an important communication to make to him. … Soon the judges returned. First the oath was administered to Heuteufel. For contempt of the Public Prosecutor counsel for the defence was fined eighty marks.

When the hearing was resumed counsel for the defence intervened to ask the witness what was his opinion, as an intimate friend of the defendant, of his domestic life. Heuteufel made a move, there was a rustle of excitement among the public, who understood. Would Sprezius allow the question? He had already opened his mouth to refuse, but understood just in time that a sensation should be encouraged. Thereupon Heuteufel sang the praises of the model conditions which prevailed in Lauer's household. Jadassohn absorbed the witness's words, trembling with impatience. Finally he had an