business. It is not only the
accused who passes sleepless nights--the judge, too, knows them. We
lawyers--outside our profession--have founded an association to support
and encourage those we are obliged to pronounce guilty, that they may
not sink down uncomforted. So, my dear Ferleitner, you may trust me
that, as far as I can, I will alleviate your position."

Then Konrad, looking down on the floor, said: "I should like to have
writing materials."

"You want to write?" asked the Judge.

"If I might ask for paper, pens, and ink," returned Konrad. "In former
years I used to like writing down my thoughts--just as they came, I had
little education."

"You wish to write to your friends?" inquired the judge.

"Oh no! If I had any, they'd be glad not to hear from me," said Konrad.

"Or to draw up a plea of justification?"

"No."

"Or an account of your life?"

"No, not that either. My life has not been good enough. Misfortune
should be forgotten rather than recorded. No, I think I can write
something else," stated Konrad.

"You shall have writing materials," said the judge. "And is there
anything else? A more comfortable bed?"

"No, thank you. It's right enough as it is. If a hard bed was the
only thing----"

"And is everything kept properly neat and clean?" interrupted the judge.

"If you're always waiting and thinking, 'Now, now, they're coming!' I
tell you, sir, you don't sleep well," replied Konrad.

"Don't keep worrying yourself with ideas, Ferleitner," said the judge
warningly to the man, who had again worked himself up into a state of
excitement. "Not one of us knows what the next hour may bring, and yet
we live on calmly. Use the time," he continued playfully, "in avenging
your condemnation by some great literary work. In olden times great
minds often did it."

"I can't write a great work," answered Konrad. "And I've nothing to
avenge. I deserve death. But it's this waiting for it. The torments
of hell cannot be worse."

"We've nothing to do with hell. We've merely to think of the purgatory
in which we are placed. Let heaven, as they say, follow. Haven't you
any business to arrange? Nothing to settle for anyone?" asked the
judge.

"No one, no one!" Konrad assured him.

"That's a piece of luck that many of your comrades in misfortune would
envy you. A man can settle things easily for himself alone. If it's
any consolation, Ferleitner, I may tell you that we don't regard