to expel from your house
unwelcome guests you did not need to remind me of it, for this very
day you shut your doors on another whose love for you gave him a
better right to be here than I have.

COLONEL.

Sir, such brazen-facedness I have never yet experienced.

BOLZ (_with a bow_).

I am a journalist, and claim what you have just called the privilege
of my profession.

[_Grand march by brass band. Enter_ CARL _quickly_.]

COLONEL (_going toward him_).

Shut the garden gate; no one is to come in. [_The music stops_.]

BOLZ (_at the window_).

You are locking your friends out; this time I am innocent.

CARL.

Ah, Colonel, it is too late. The singers are back there in the garden,
and in front a great procession is approaching the house; it is Mr.
von Senden and the entire club.

[_Goes to rear of stage_.]

COLONEL (_to_ BOLZ).

Sir, I wish the conversation between us to end.

BOLZ (_speaking back at him from the window_).

In your position, Colonel, I find the desire very natural. [_Looking
out again_.] A brilliant procession! They all carry paper lanterns,
and on the lanterns are inscriptions! Besides the ordinary club
mottoes, I see others. Why isn't Bellmaus ever looking when he might
be helping the newspaper! [_Taking out a note book_.] We'll quickly
note those inscriptions for our columns. [_Over his shoulder_.] Pardon
me! Oh, that is truly remarkable: "Down with our enemies!" And here a
blackish lantern with white letters--"Death to the _Union_!" Holy
thunder! [_Calls out of the window_.] Good evening, gentlemen!

COLONEL (_going up to him_).

Sir, you're in league with the devil!

BOLZ (_turning quickly around_).

Very kind of you, Colonel, to show yourself at the window with me.

[COLONEL _retreats_.]

SENDEN (_from below_).

Whose voice is that!

BOLZ.

Good evening, Mr. von Senden!--The gentleman with the dark lantern and
white inscription would oblige us greatly by kindly lifting it up to
the Colonel. Blow your light out, man, and hand me the lantern. So,
thank you--man with the witty motto! [_Pulling in the stick and
lantern_.] Here, Colonel, is the document of the brotherly love your
friends cherish toward us. [_Tears the lantern from the stick_.] The
lantern for you, the stick for the lantern-bearer! [_Throws the stick
out of the window_.] I have the honor to bid you good day!

[_Turns to go, meets_ ADELAIDE.]

_Male chorus, close at hand again: "Within the precincts of