."
We have been talking of it already. Come! [_Exeunt both._]

_Enter_ SENDEN, BLUMENBERG, CARL, SCHMOCK.

SENDEN (_entering_).

Is the Colonel alone?

CARL.

Professor Oldendorf is with him.

SENDEN.

Take in our names. [_Exit_ CARL.] This everlasting Oldendorf! I say,
Blumenberg, this connection of the old gentleman with the _Union_ must
stop. We cannot really call him one of us so long as the professor
frequents this house. We need the Colonel's influential personality.

BLUMENBERG.

It is the best-known house in town--the best society, good wine, and
art.

SENDEN.

I have my private reasons, too, for bringing the Colonel over to our
side. And everywhere the professor and his clique block our way.

BLUMENBERG.

The friendship shall cease. I promise you that it shall cease,
gradually, within the next few weeks. The first step has already been
taken. The gentlemen of the _Union_ have fallen into the trap.

SENDEN.

Into what trap?

BLUMENBERG.

The one I set for them in our paper. [_Turning upon_ SCHMOCK _who is
standing in the doorway._] Why do you stand here, Schmock? Can't you
wait at the gate?

SCHMOCK.

I went where you did. Why should I not stand here? I know the Colonel
as well as you do.

BLUMENBERG.

Don't be forward and don't be impudent. Go and wait at the gate, and
when I bring you the article, quickly run with it to the
press--understand?

SCHMOCK.

How can I help understanding when you croak like a raven?

[_EXIT_.]

[Illustration: _Permission F Bruckmann, A -G, Munich_
AT THE CONCERT ADOLPH VON MENZEL.]

BLUMENBERG (_to_ SENDEN).

He is a vulgar person, but he is useful! Now that we are alone,
listen! The other day when you brought me to call here, I begged the
Colonel just to write down his ideas on the questions of the day.

SENDEN.

Yes, alas! You piled on the flattery much too thick, but the old
gentleman did, nevertheless, at last take fire.

BLUMENBERG.

We begged him to read to us what he had written; he read it to us, we
praised it.

SENDEN.

It was very tiresome all the same.

BLUMENBERG.

I begged it of him for our paper.

SENDEN.

Yes, unfortunately! And now I must carry these bulky things to your
press. These articles are too heavy; they won't do the _Coriolanus_
any good.

BLUMENBERG.

Yet I printed them gladly. When a man has written for a paper he
becomes a good friend of that paper. The Colonel at once subscribed
for the _C