Baron Ludwig.
(Bowing slightly in return wanders about the room and at last pauses before Holtzmann.) I beg your pardon but--surely I know your face.
Holtzmann.
Very likely, your Excellency. My name is Holtzmann, private secretary to Baron Richard von Völkerlingk.
Baron Ludwig.
Indeed? I am so seldom at my brother's. The fact is--er, well. Yesterday was election-day at Lengenfeld, by the way. The papers were full of it this morning. It seems to cause a good deal of surprise that Count Kellinghausen should not only have withdrawn in favour of my brother, but should actually have gone about canvassing for him. I daresay that's an exaggeration, though?
Holtzmann.
On the contrary, your Excellency. The Count has been down in the country electioneering for weeks.
Baron Ludwig.
Really? And you were with him, I suppose?