BEERMANN. I know nothing whatever of any diary. You never showed me any book at all. Of that I am very positive.
STROEBEL [in despair]. It is just my confounded luck to find you in this predicament. You are evidently suffering.
BEERMANN. An awful ringing in my ears—
STROEBEL. I would leave you at once if the least delay were possible. But I simply must speak to you about it tonight. Can't you get relief by taking medicine?
BEERMANN. No medicine can help me. I can only tell you that I do not know anything about any diary.
STROEBEL. Lord, Lord, leave the diary out of it altogether. It is absolutely of no importance.
BEERMANN. It is of no importance?
STROEBEL. Of course, it is safely locked in my desk ...
BEERMANN. Is that so? Well, then I can't understand why you hurried to see me tonight.
STROEBEL [very embarrassed]. But that is exactly what I wanted to explain to you. But how shall I do it? You scarcely remember any more than that you were in my office this morning. It is incredible how misfortune has been persecuting me since noon.