At home the competition is a
struggle of life and death, for we have no protection, none whatever.
PFEIFER
[_Staggers in, pale and breathless._] Mr. Dreissiger, Mr. Dreissiger!
DREISSIGER
[_In the act of walking into the drawing-room, turns round, annoyed._]
Well, Pfeifer, what now?
PFEIFER
Oh, sir! Oh, sir!... It's worse than ever!
DREISSIGER
What are they up to next?
KITTELHAUS
You're really alarming us--what is it?
PFEIFER
[_Still confused._] I never saw the like. Good Lord--The superintendent
himself ... they'll catch it for this yet.
DREISSIGER
What's the matter with you, in the devil's name? Is any one's neck
broken?
PFEIFER
[_Almost crying with fear, screams._] They've set Moritz Jaeger
free--they've thrashed the superintendent and driven him away--they've
thrashed the policeman and sent him off too--without his helmet ... his
sword broken ... Oh dear, oh dear!
DREISSIGER
I think you've gone crazy, Pfeifer.
KITTELHAUS
This is actual riot.
PFEIFER
[_Sitting on a chair, his whole body trembling._] It's turning serious,
Mr. Dreissiger! Mr. Dreissiger, it's serious now!
DREISSIGER
Well, if that's all the police .
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