stood still and gasped. Käthchen Zillich had run away! In what adventures he might have been involved! … Jadassohn spoke as a man of the world.
"Yes, she's gone to Berlin. Her fond parents ?.re still in ignorance. I have no quarrel with her, you understand; there had to be a crash, sooner or later."
"In one way or another," Diederich added, having recovered himself.
"I prefer this way to any other," Jadassohn declared. To which Diederich replied in a confidential whisper: "I don't mind telling you now that it always looked as if that girl was rather sweet on you."
Jadassohn denied it, but not without a touch of amourpropre. "What do you take me for? I myself gave her letters of introduction. Just you wait. She will be a big success in Berlin."
"I do not doubt it." Diederich winked. "I know her good points. … You certainly thought I was very innocent." He would not listen to Jadassohn's defence. "You thought me very innocent, but at the same time I put a damned big spoke in your wheel, I can tell you." He gave the other, who was becoming more and more uneasy, an account of an adventure he had with Käthchen at the Harmony Club dance—an account which was much more detailed than the facts warranted. With a smile of satisfied vengeance he watched Jadassohn, who was obviously in doubt as to whether his honour were not involved. Finally he decided to slap Diederich on the shoulder, and in the friendliest manner they drew the obvious conclusions. "Of course, the matter is strictly between ourselves. … Such a girl must be judged fairly, for where would the better demi-monde get recruits. … Her address? Well, as a favour to you. If you happen to be in Berlin, then you know where you are." "It would even have a certain charm," Diederich said reflectively. And as Jadassohn espied his lug-
