Beermann [absentmindedly].  Yes ... yes ...  Herr Professor.

Wasner.  You are entitled to know everything.  Only spare me the details.  Briefly stated, one day I could not view my collection as objectively as usual and thru a friend I was induced to make a most damnable visit.  I assure you that I simply loathe that fellow.

Beermann.  But just why are you telling me all this?

Wasner.  Because together we have fought against immorality shoulder to shoulder.  I ask you if you still deem me worthy to strive for our common ideal.

Beermann.  For my part, go as far as you like, I won’t stop you.

Wasner.  Then you will not deny me your assistance?

Beermann.  Suppose we discuss all this tomorrow, Herr Professor?

Wasner.  Tomorrow will be too late. [Beermann falls back into his chair in an attitude of apathy.] After my false step I became convinced that it is my duty to protect others from this temptation.  My feeling of duty became stronger until finally I wrote a letter to be exact—­an anonymous letter—­to the police, wherein I demanded emphatically that they put an end to the misconduct of this person.

Beermann [now attentive.] Really that was not nice.

Wasner.  I wanted to assure myself that within I still had the right to belong to the Society for the Suppression of Vice.

Beermann.  I consider that rather mean.  You should always be grateful.

Wasner.  This very feeling would have made me feel still more guilty. [Beermann shrugs his shoulders nervously.] But now I come to the reason for my being here.  My information had results ...  This creature was arrested and today after dinner my false friend comes to tell me that he had not been careful, had mentioned to her my name, and I am certainly indexed in the book she kept.  This book was found in her place by the police.

Beermann [jumping up].  What’s her name?

Wasner.  Hauteville.

Beermann.  So, it is you to whom we are indebted for this scandal. [Angrily.] Do you fully realize what you have accomplished?  How many respectable fathers of families you have brought to the very verge of despair?

Wasner.  I know it.

Beermann.  You don’t.

Wasner.  I came here for that very reason.

Beermann [not understanding him].  What?

Wasner.  I came here to request you on behalf of the others to call tonight, a meeting of the Executive Committee.  The Society must do everything in its power to keep this case out of court.

Beermann.  Why the devil did you write that anonymous letter?