Of course!——Besides, you have no choice.

Melchior.

I can reach my hand to my friend here at any moment.

The Masked Man.

Your friend is a charlatan. Nobody laughs who has a pfennig left in cash. The sublime humorist is the most miserable, most pitiable creature in creation.

Melchior.

Let the humorist be what he may; you tell me who you are, or I'll reach the humorist my hand.

The Masked Man.

What then?

Moritz.