COLONEL.

Of what?  Of a reconciliation with him?  After what has happened a reconciliation between Oldendorf and myself is out of the question.

ADELAIDE (aside).

I wonder if he wants me to contradict him!

Enter KORB.

KORB (to ADELAIDE).

The gentleman has come.

ADELAIDE.

I will ring.

[Exit KORB.]

Help me out of a little dilemma.  I have to speak with a strange young man who seems in need of help, and I should like to have you stay near me.—­May I leave this door open?

[Points to the door on the left.]

COLONEL.

That means, I suppose, in plain English, that I
am to go in there?

ADELAIDE.

I beg it of you—­just for five minutes.

COLONEL.

Very well—­if only I don’t have to listen.

ADELAIDE.

I do not require it; but you will listen all the
same if the conversation happens to interest you.

COLONEL (smiling).

In that case I shall come out.

[Exit to the left; ADELAIDE rings.]

Enter SCHMOCK.  KORB also appears at the entrance, but quickly withdraws.

SCHMOCK (with a bow).

I wish you a good-morning.  Are you the lady who sent me her secretary?

ADELAIDE.

Yes.  You said you wished to speak to me personally.

SCHMOCK.

Why should the secretary know about it if I want to tell you something?  Here are the notes that Senden wrote and that I found in the paper-basket of the Coriolanus.  Look them over, and see if they will be of use to the Colonel.  What can I do with them?  There’s nothing to be done with them.

ADELAIDE (looking through them, reading, in an aside).

“Here I send you the wretched specimens of style, etc.”  Incautious and very low-minded! [Lays them on the table.  Aloud.] At any rate these unimportant notes are better off in my paper-basket than in any one else’s.  And what, sir, induces you to confide in me?

[Illustration:  Permission Union Deutsch um Vellagssesellsckaft Stuttgart.  LUNCH BUFFET AT KISSENGEN ADOLPH VON MENZEL. ]

SCHMOCK.

I suppose because Bellmaus told me you were a clever person who would choose a good way of telling the Colonel to be on his guard against Senden and against my editor; and the Colonel is a kind man; the other day he ordered a glass of sweet wine and a salmon sandwich as a lunch for me.

COLONEL (visible at the door, clasping his hands sympathetically).

Merciful heavens!

SCHMOCK.

Why should I let him be duped by these people!

ADELAIDE.

Since you did not dislike the lunch, we will see that you get another one.

SCHMOCK.