like a beggar. “Look here,” he said at length. “I’ll give you . . . ten thousand if you’ll let me through.”
“I’ll have you arrested,” answered the voice sharply and inexorably.
“I . . . I . . .” stammered Prokop. “I only want to know that address. See? I only want to know that . . . I’ll give you anything if you will only get it for me! You . . . you’re married, and have children, but I . . . I’m alone . . . and I only want to find . . .”
“Keep quiet,” scolded the voice. “You’re drunk.”
Prokop became silent and rocked himself on his heels. “I must wait,” he reflected dully. “Why does nobody come? I’ll give him everything. Krakatit and everything else if he’ll only . . . ‘You were unforgettably kind to me.’ No. God preserve me. I’m a bad man, but you, you awakened in me the passion of tenderness. I would do anything in the world to earn a look from you; you know why I’m here. The most beautiful thing about you is that you have the power of making me serve you. That’s why, you see. I can’t help loving you!”
“What’s up with you?” came the voice from the other side of the grille. “Are you going to be quiet or not?”
Prokop stood up: “Please, please tell him”
“I’ll set the dog on you!”
A white figure, accompanied by the glowing end of a cigarette, sauntered up to the partition. “Is that you, Thomas?” cried Prokop.
“No. Are you still here?” It was the laboratory assistant. “Man, are you mad?”
