The court-house emptied, the comedy was over….
Someone takes Axel Ström by the arm: it is Geissler. "H'm," said he, "so you're done with that now!"
"Ay," said Axel.
"But they've wasted a lot of your time to no purpose."
"Ay," said Axel again. But he was coming to himself again gradually, and after a moment he added: "None the less, I'm glad it was no worse."
"No worse?" said Geissler. "I'd have liked to see them try!" He spoke with emphasis, and Axel fancied Geissler must have had something to do with the case himself; that he had intervened. Heaven knows if, after all, it had not been Geissler himself that had led the whole proceedings and gained the result he wished. It was a mystery, anyway.
So much at least Axel understood, that Geissler had been on his side all through.
"I've a deal to thank you for," said he, offering his hand.
"What for?" asked Geissler.
"Why, for—for all this."