50
DIAMONDS TO SIT ON
‘ I don’t know, but I know he sold it. He wanted to sell my blanket one day.’ The inspector went out of the room and found Paul. ‘ One of my friends,’ said Bender, emphasizing each word, ‘ also used to sell Government furniture, but now he’s a monk, as it were. He’s sitting in prison.’ ' Your groundless accusation sounds rather strange to me,’ said Paul .
- Who’s got that chair ? ’ Bender asked threateningly.
Paul, who was gifted with supernatural intuition, suddenly realized that he would either be kicked or beaten if he did not tell him. ‘ A dealer has got it.’ ‘ And his address ? ’ ‘ I’ve never seen him before.’ ' Never ? ’ ‘ No. I swear.’ ' I’d beat your face in,’ said Bender quietly, ‘ but Zarathustra does not allow it. Go to the devil! ’ Paul grinned obsequiously and began to move away. ‘ Now then, you bastard ! ’ shouted Bender, ‘ don’t you slide away like that. Was the dealer fair or dark ? ’ Paul began to describe him ; Bender listened atten tively to the end and then said : ‘ That of course has nothing to do with safeguards against fire.’ As he was about to leave the home Alkin slyly approached Bender in the corridor and offered him some money. ‘ That means Article 114 of the Criminal Code,’ said Bender, ' a bribe to an official during the execution of his orders.’ But he took the money and without saying good-bye to Alkin he moved towards the front door. The heavy oak door, weighing at least a ton and a half, was fitted with such powerful springs that when Bender opened it with great difficulty it slammed behind him and shot him out into the street. ‘ That’ll do ! That’ll do ! ’ said Bender as he rubbed the part that had been hit. ‘ Let the good work go on.’
