The latter continued, his eyes, which were already dull and bleary, fixed on Gurdweill: ‘You see, Herr Doktor, you’re a clever man — I could see it at once! You can’t pull the wool over Franzl Heidelberger’s eyes. So what I say is, and you’ll understand me, I know: once a woman starts playing around, she’s a goner as far as I’m concerned. A beating or two won’t do any good — and when Franzl Heidelberger leaves his mark, you feel it for a month of Sundays, believe me! But scandals in public — that’s something else again. Franzl Heidelberger won’t get his name in the papers, no sir: man is not a swine, and order must reign!’

The customers were all leaving one by one. The waiter appeared with a broom and started putting the chairs upside down on the tables. Someone yawned loudly. A desolate silence began to permeate the room. Gurdweill stood up.

‘You’re in a hurry, I see,’ said Franzl Heidelberger. ‘Wait a minute, I’m leaving too.’

Outside, he said: ‘You live in Liechtensteinstrasse 17 too, don’t you? I’ve seen you there a few times.’

No, he only visited the shoemaker Vrubiczek from time to time.

‘So that’s it! But you’re a scholar, Herr Doktor! I saw it at once. I’ve got an eye for these things! Well, I see you’re in a hurry — it was an honour, Herr Doktor! Glad to have met you: I’m always glad to talk to a clever man. Next time you’re at Vrubiczek’s, drop in on me. Franzl Heidelberger is your brother!’

Gurdweill turned towards the Schottentor. He dragged his feet; he was very tired. The day that had passed felt as long as a week. But beneath his enormous weariness a great joy flickered. He did not dare to examine the event in detail now, when his senses were stupefied with weariness and drink. When he reached home at two o’clock in the morning, he dropped into bed like a dead man and fell asleep at once.

4

4

The next morning Gurdweill woke at ten. A wave of happiness immediately struck him in the face. He had slept well and felt fresh and full of energy.