prospect that we shall be able from now on
to greet as an ally this widely read sheet." How does that taste to
you, gentlemen?

MILLER} Thunder! KAeMPE.}_(All together_.) Nonsense! BELLMAUS.} It's a
lie!

OLDENDORF.

It's another of Blumenberg's reckless inventions.

BOLZ.

There is something behind it all. Go and get me Gabriel Henning.
[_Exit_ MILLER.] This owner has played the traitor; we have been
poisoned. [_Springing up._] And this is the feast of the Borgia!
Presently the _misericordia_ will enter and sing our dirge. Do me the
favor at least to eat up the oysters before it be too late.

OLDENDORF (_who has seized the newspaper_.)

Evidently this news is only an uncertain rumor. Henning will tell us
there is no truth in it. Stop seeing ghosts, and sit down with us.

BOLZ (_seating himself_).

I sit down, not because I put faith in your words, but because I don't
wish to do injustice to the lunch. Get hold of Henning; he must give
an account of himself.

OLDENDORF.

But, as you heard, he is not at home.

BOLZ (_zealously eating_).

Oh, thou wilt have a fearful awakening, little Orsini! Bellmaus, pour
me out some wine. But if the story be not true, if this _Coriolanus_
have lied, by the purple in this glass be it sworn I will be his
murderer! The grimmest revenge that ever an injured journalist took
shall fall on his head; he shall bleed to death from pin-pricks; every
poodle in the street shall look on him scornfully and say: "Fie,
_Coriolanus_, I wouldn't take a bite at you even if you were a
sausage." [_A knock is heard_. BOLZ _lays down his knife.] Memento
mori_! There are our grave-diggers. The last oyster, now, and then
farewell thou lovely world!

_Enter_ JUDGE SCHWARZ _and_ SENDEN _from the door on the left; the
door remains open_.

SCHWARZ.

Obedient servant, gentlemen!

SENDEN.

Your pardon if we disturb you.

BOLZ (_remaining seated at the table_).

Not in the least. This is our regular luncheon, contracted for a whole
year--fifty oysters and two bottles daily for each member of the
staff. Whoever buys the newspaper has to furnish it.

SCHWARZ.

What brings us here, Professor, is a communication which Mr. Henning
should have been the first to make to you. He preferred handing over
the task to me.

OLDENDORF.

I await your communication.

SCHWARZ.

Mr. Henning has, from yesterday on, transferred to me by sale all
rights pertaining to him as owner of the newspaper _U