Franz von Kreuzenach admitted that he had once been a boy—to the amusement of his brother-officers.
Had he ever read stories of adventure, fairy-tales, romances, or did he spend his childhood in the study of Nietzsche, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Kant, Goethe, von Bernhardi, Karl Marx
When she strung off these names—so incongruous in association—even the President permitted a slight smile to twist his thin hard mouth.
Franz von Kreuzenach said that he had read some fairy-tales and stories of adventure. Might he ask the gnädiges Fräulein
"Yes," said the President, "what has this to do with your case, Fräulein? I desire to give you full liberty in your defence but this is entirely irrelevant to the evidence."
"It is my case!" cried Miss O'Connor. "Listen to the next question, Herr President. It is the key of my defence."
Her next question caused laughter in court.
"I ask the Herr Lieutenant whether, as a boy, or a young man, he has read the romances of the French writer, Jules Verne?"
Franz von Kreuzenach looked abashed, and blushed like a schoolboy. His eyes fell before the challenging look of the Irish girl.
"I have read some novels by Jules Verne, in German translations."
"Oh, in German translations—of course!" said Miss O'Connor. "German boys do not learn French very well."
"Keep to the case," said the President. "In Heaven's name, Fräulein, what has this to do with your defence?"
She raised her hand, for patience, and said, "Herr President, my innocence will soon be clear."
