When Christian returned, Niels Heinrich was sitting on a chair and smoking.
XXII
“Forgive me,” said Christian. “It was an urgent appointment....” He interrupted himself, as he observed that Niels Heinrich was in the room alone.
“The young lady wants you to know that she took the boy and went to Charlottenburg to go to church,” Niels Heinrich said.
Christian was amazed. He answered: “So much the better. That leaves us undisturbed, and we can stay here.”
“That’s right. We’re undisturbed.” Next came a pause, and they looked at each other. Christian went to the threshold of the little bedroom to make sure that no one was within, then to the door that led to the hall. He turned the key.
“Why do you lock the door?” Niels Heinrich asked, with raised brows.
“It is necessary,” said Christian, “because all the people who come to see me are accustomed to finding the door open.”
“Then maybe you’d better blow out the lamp too,” Niels Heinrich jeered; “that’d be the sensible thing to do, eh? Dark’s a good place for secrets. And we’re going to fish for secrets, eh?”