BEERMANN. My name is Beermann; Fritz Beermann, the banker. I am the Chairman of the Society for the Suppression of Vice.
STROEBEL [very politely]. Oh, indeed! Pardon me! I didn't recall your name immediately, but I was expecting you.
BEERMANN [startled]. You—were expecting—me?
STROEBEL. The Commissioner said that you would undoubtedly call on us.
BEERMANN. He said that I undoubtedly would call? But he never mentioned a word to me about that, and I saw him just a moment ago. Perhaps after all it will be better if I go down to see him again?
STROEBEL. That is not necessary. I have full charge of the matter.
BEERMANN. Oh, yes, quite right; you have charge of the matter. And you have those writings here too?
STROEBEL. The diary? [He indicates the desk.] Here it is.
BEERMANN [peeps anxiously over]. Then it is a regular diary?
STROEBEL. Quite correctly kept. Gives date and names. Even little jesting remarks about the people concerned.