“Now you want to tell me what’s justified and what isn’t? Everything you did was well and good, and everything I do is wrong? I’ll say it again: I’m simply taking advantage of my situation!”

“There were times when my situation would have made it easy for me to steal another man’s wallet. But I can honestly say I never did!”

“You were also always a rich man! That a wealthy merchant doesn’t steal a silver spoon is no reason for him to flatter himself.”

“Agreed. But I’m not talking about silver spoons. Don’t try to be clever, Gustav, that’s just too much. You know very well that all my business dealings were absolutely impeccable and that I’ve always acted properly.”

“Meaning I haven’t? More decently than you in any case. At least I haven’t threatened to send you to jail!”

“You couldn’t have. You wouldn’t have had any reason.”

“In 1930 you paid four thousand marks less than you should have in taxes, and in 1926 it was as much as nine thousand marks.”

“In the first place that’s not true, and in the second place everyone does that.”

“Well, taxes were always taken out of my three hundred marks.”

Silbermann lit a cigarette. “You’re being a scoundrel and you know it,” he said, exhausted. “And even if I really had dodged the tax, that by no means justifies your abusing my trust. After all, you’re my friend, and I’ve never been friends with the tax office. And even the most decent person would rather pay too little taxes than too much. Only a criminal, like yourself…”

“I’m warning you, don’t start up again. And now I’m asking you for the last time: do you agree to the proposal or not? If you refuse, then I’ll leave the whole amount with a notary until the matter is decided, since I own fifty-one percent of the shares. I’ll simply dissolve the company. And any remaining assets will be divided one way or the other.”

Silbermann tried once again to change Becker’s mind. “Gustav,” he said slowly. “You can’t possibly do that! Look, that would be…”

Becker stood up theatrically. “I consider our conversation ended,” he said formally. “I’m now going to the notary and will deposit the money there. I feel all the more compelled to do so because you, as I happen to know, intend to leave the country. Consequently there is a danger that if you get hold of the funds you might transfer them abroad. This way, however, your share of the company will be placed in a blocked account. Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Silbermann!”

He actually made a move to leave.