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Title:TheTrial

Author:FranzKafka

Translator:DavidWyllie

PostingDate:August13,2012[EBook#7849]ReleaseDate:April,2005FirstPosted:May16,2003

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHETRIAL***

TheTrial

FranzKafka

TranslationCopyright(C)byDavidWyllieTranslatorcontactemail:dandelion@post.czChapterOneArrest-ConversationwithMrs.Grubach-ThenMissBürstner

SomeonemusthavebeentellingliesaboutJosefK.,heknewhehaddonenothingwrongbut,onemorning,hewasarrested.EverydayateightinthemorninghewasbroughthisbreakfastbyMrs.Grubach'scook-Mrs.Grubachwashislandlady-buttodayshedidn'tcome.Thathadneverhappenedbefore.K.waitedalittlewhile,lookedfromhispillowattheoldwomanwholivedoppositeandwhowaswatchinghimwithaninquisitivenessquiteunusualforher,andfinally,bothhungryanddisconcerted,rangthebell.Therewasimmediatelyaknockatthedoorand

amanentered.Hehadneverseenthemaninthishousebefore.Hewasslimbutfirmlybuilt,hisclotheswereblackandclose-fitting,withmanyfoldsandpockets,bucklesandbuttonsandabelt,allofwhichgavetheimpressionofbeingverypracticalbutwithoutmakingitveryclearwhattheywereactuallyfor."Whoareyou?"askedK.,sittinghalfuprightinhisbed.Theman,however,ignoredthequestionasifhisarrivalsimplyhadtobeaccepted,andmerelyreplied,"Yourang?""Annashouldhavebroughtmemybreakfast,"saidK.Hetriedtoworkoutwhothemanactuallywas,firstinsilence,justthroughobservationandbythinkingaboutit,butthemandidn'tstaystilltobelookedatforverylong.Insteadhewentovertothedoor,openeditslightly,andsaidtosomeonewhowasclearlystandingimmediatelybehindit,"HewantsAnnatobringhimhisbreakfast."Therewasalittlelaughterintheneighbouringroom,itwasnotclearfromthesoundofitwhethertherewereseveralpeoplelaughing.Thestrangemancou

ldnothavelearnedanythingfromitthathehadn'tknownalready,butnowhesaidtoK.,asifmakinghisreport"Itisnotpossible.""Itwouldbethefirsttimethat'shappened,"saidK.,ashejumpedoutofbedandquicklypulledonhistrousers."Iwanttoseewhothatisinthenextroom,andwhyitisthatMrs.Grubachhasletmebedisturbedinthisway."Itimmediatelyoccurredtohimthatheneedn'thavesaidthisoutloud,andthathemusttosomeextenthaveacknowledgedtheirauthoritybydoingso,butthatdidn'tseemimportanttohimatthetime.That,atleast,ishowthestrangertookit,ashesaid,"Don'tyouthinkyou'dbetterstaywhereyouare?""Iwantneithertostayherenortobespokentobyyouuntilyou'veintroducedyourself.""Imeantitforyourowngood,"s



aidthestrangerandopenedthedoor,thistimewithoutbeingasked.Thenextroom,whichK.enteredmoreslowlythanhehadintended,lookedatfirstglanceexactlythesameasithadthepreviousevening.ItwasMrs.Grubach'slivingroom,over-filledwithfurniture,tablecloths,porcelainandphotographs.Perhapstherewasalittlemorespaceintherethanusualtoday,butifsoitwasnotimmediatelyobvious,especiallyasthemaindifferencewasthepresenceofamansittingbytheopenwindowwithabookfromwhichhenowlookedup."Youshouldhavestayedinyourroom!Didn'tFranztellyou?""Andwhatisityouwant,then?"saidK.,lookingbackandforthbetweenthisnewacquaintanceandtheonenamedFranz,whohadremainedinthedoorway.Throughtheopenwindowhenoticedtheoldwomanagain,whohadcomeclosetothewindowoppositesothatshecouldcontinuetoseeeverything.Shewasshowinganinquisitivenessthatreallymadeitseemlikeshewasgoingsenile."IwanttoseeMrs.Grubach…,"saidK.,makingamovementasiftearinghimselfawayfromthetwomen-eventhoughtheywerestandingwellawayfromhim-andwantedtogo."No,"saidthemanatthewindow,whothrewhisbookdownonacoffeetableandstoodup."Youcan'tgoawaywhenyou'reunderarrest.""That'showitseems,"saidK."AndwhyamIunderarrest?"hethenasked."That'ssomethingwe'renotallowedtotellyou.Gointoyourroomandwaitthere.Proceedingsareunderwayandyou'lllearnabouteverythingallingoodtime.It'snotreallypartofmyjobtobefriendlytowardsyoulikethis,butIhopeno-one,apartfromFranz,willhearaboutit,andhe'sbeenmorefriendlytowardsyouthanheshouldhavebeen,undertherules,himself.Ifyoucarryonhavingasmuchgoodluckasyouhavebeenwithyourarrestingofficersthenyoucanreckononthingsgoingwellwithyou."K.wantedtositdown,butt

henhesawthat,apartfromthechairbythewindow,therewasnowhereanywhereintheroomwherehecouldsit."You'llgetthechancetoseeforyourselfhowtrueallthisis,"saidFranzandbothmenthenwalkeduptoK.Theyweresignificantlybiggerthanhim,especiallythesecondman,whofrequentlyslappedhimontheshoulder.ThetwoofthemfeltK.'snightshirt,andsaidhewouldnowhavetowearonethatwasofmuchlowerquality,butthattheywouldkeepthenightshirtalongwithhisotherunderclothesandreturnthemtohimifhiscaseturnedoutwell."It'sbetterforyouifyougiveusthethingsthanifyouleavetheminthestoreroom,"theysaid."Thingshaveatendencytogomissinginthestoreroom,andafteracertainamountoftimetheysellthingsoff,whetherthecaseinvolvedhascometoanendornot.Andcaseslikethiscanlastalongtime,especiallytheonesthathavebeencominguplately.They'dgiveyouthemoneytheygotforthem,butitwouldn'tbeverymuchasit'snotwhatthey'reofferedfo

rthemwhentheysellthemthatcounts,it'showmuchtheygetslippedontheside,andthingslikethatlosetheirvalueanywaywhentheygetpassedonfromhandtohand,yearafteryear."K.paidhardlyanyattentiontowhattheyweresaying,hedidnotplacemuchvalueonwhathemayhavestillpossessedoronwhodecidedwhathappenedtothem.Itwasmuchmoreimportanttohimtogetaclearunderstandingofhisposition,buthecouldnotthinkclearlywhilethesepeoplewerehere,thesecondpoliceman'sbelly-andtheycouldonlybepolicemen-lookedfriendlyenough,stickingouttowardshim,butwhenK.lookedupandsawhisdry,boneyfaceitdidnotseemtofitwiththebody.HisstrongnosetwistedtoonesideasifignoringK.andsharinganunderstandingwiththeotherpoliceman.Whatsortofpeoplewerethese?Whatweretheytalkingabout?Whatofficedidtheybelongto?K.waslivinginafreecountry,afterall,everywherewasatpeace,alllawsweredecentandwereupheld,whowasitwhodaredaccosthimin

hisownhome?Hewasalwaysinclinedtotakelifeaslightlyashecould,tocrossbridgeswhenhecametothem,paynoheedforthefuture,evenwheneverythingseemedunderthreat.Butherethatdidnotseemtherightthingtodo.Hecouldhavetakenitallasajoke,abigjokesetupbyhiscolleaguesatthebankforsomeunknownreason,oralsoperhapsbecausetodaywashisthirtiethbirthday,itwasallpossibleofcourse,maybeallhehadtodowaslaughinthepolicemen'sfaceinsomewayandtheywouldlaughwithhim,maybetheyweretradesmenfromthecornerofthestreet,theylookedliketheymightbe-buthewasnonethelessdetermined,eversincehefirstcaughtsightoftheonecalledFranz,nottoloseanyslightadvantagehemighthavehadoverthesepeople.Therewasave



ryslightriskthatpeoplewouldlatersayhecouldn'tunderstandajoke,but-althoughhewasn'tnormallyinthehabitoflearningfromexperience-hemightalsohavehadafewunimportantoccasionsinmindwhen,unlikehismorecautiousfriends,hehadactedwithnothoughtatallforwhatmightfollowandhadbeenmadetosufferforit.Hedidn'twantthattohappenagain,notthistimeatleast;iftheywereplay-actinghewouldactalongwiththem.

Hestillhadtime."Allowme,"hesaid,andhurriedbetweenthetwopolicementhroughintohisroom."Heseemssensibleenough,"heheardthemsaybehindhim.Onceinhisroom,hequicklypulledopenthedrawerofhiswritingdesk,everythinginitwasverytidybutinhisagitationhewasunabletofindtheidentificationdocumentshewaslookingforstraightaway.Hefinallyfoundhisbicyclepermitandwasabouttogobacktothepolicemenwithitwhenitseemedtohimtoopetty,sohecarriedonsearchinguntilhefoundhisbirthcertificate.JustashegotbackintheadjoiningroomthedoorontheothersideopenedandMrs.Grubachwasabouttoenter.Heonlysawherforaninstant,forassoonassherecognisedK.shewasclearlyembarrassed,askedforforgivenessanddisappeared,closingthedoorbehindherverycarefully."Docomein,"K.couldhavesaidjustthen.Butnowhestoodinthemiddleoftheroomwithhispapersinhishandandstilllookingatthedoorwhichdidnotopenagain.Hestayedlikethatuntilhewasstartledoutofitbytheshoutofthepolicemanwhosatatthelittletableattheopenwindowand,asK.nowsaw,waseatinghisbreakfast."Whydidn'tshecomein?"heasked."She'snotallowedto,"saidthebigpoliceman."You'reunderarrest,aren'tyou.""ButhowcanIbeunderarrest?Andhowcomeit'sli

kethis?""Nowyou'restartingagain,"saidthepoliceman,dippingapieceofbutteredbreadinthehoneypot."Wedon'tanswerquestionslikethat.""Youwillhavetoanswerthem,"saidK."Herearemyidentificationpapers,nowshowmeyoursandIcertainlywanttoseethearrestwarrant.""Oh,myGod!"saidthepoliceman."Inapositionlikeyours,andyouthinkyoucanstartgivingorders,doyou?Itwon'tdoyouanygoodtogetusonthewrongside,evenifyouthinkitwill-we'reprobablymoreonyoursidethatanyoneelseyouknow!""That'strue,youknow,you'dbetterbelieveit,"saidFranz,holdingacupofcoffeeinhishandwhichhedidnotlifttohismouthbutlookedatK.inawaythatwasprobablymeanttobefullofmeaningbutcouldnotactuallybeunderstood.K.foundhimself,withoutintendingit,inamutedialoguewithFranz,butthenslappedhishanddownonhispapersandsaid,"Herearemyidentitydocuments.""Andwhatdoyouwantustodoaboutit?"repliedthebigpoliceman,loudly."Thewayyou'

recarryingon,it'sworsethanachild.Whatisityouwant?Doyouwanttogetthisgreat,bloodytrialofyoursoverwithquicklybytalkingaboutIDandarrestwarrantswithus?We'rejustcoppers,that'sallweare.JuniorofficerslikeushardlyknowoneendofanIDcardfromanother,allwe'vegottodowithyouiskeepaneyeonyoufortenhoursadayandgetpaidforit.That'sallweare.Mindyou,whatwecandoismakesurethatthehighofficialsweworkforfindoutjustwhatsortofpersonitisthey'regoingtoarrest,andwhyheshouldbearrested,beforetheyissuethewarrant.There'snomistakethere.OurauthoritiesasfarasIknow,andIonlyknowthelowestgrades,don'tgooutlookingforguiltamongthepublic;it'stheguiltthatdrawsthemout,likeitsaysinthelaw,andtheyhavetosenduspoliceofficersout.That'sthelaw.Whered'youthinkthere'dbeanymistakethere?""Idon'tknowthislaw,"saidK."Somuchtheworseforyou,then,"saidthepoliceman."It'sprobablyexistsonlyiny

ourheads,"saidK.,hewanted,insomeway,toinsinuatehiswayintothethoughtsofthepolicemen,tore-shapethosethoughtstohisbenefitortomakehimselfathomethere.Butthepolicemanjustsaiddismissively,"You'llfindoutwhenitaffectsyou."Franzjoinedin,andsaid,"Lookatthis,Willem,headmitshedoesn'tknowthelawandatthesametimeinsistshe'sinnocent.""You'requiteright,butwecan'tgethimtounderstandathing,"saidtheother.K.stoppedtalkingwiththem;doI,hethoughttohimself,doIreallyhavetocarryongettingtangledupwiththechatteringofbasefunctionarieslikethis?-andtheyadmitthemselvesthattheyareofthelowestposition.They'retalkingaboutthingsofwhichtheydon'thavetheslightestunderstanding,anyway.It'sonlybec



auseoftheirstupiditythatthey'reabletobesosureofthemselves.Ijustneedfewwordswithsomeoneofthesamesocialstandingasmyselfandeverythingwillbeincomparablyclearer,muchclearerthanalongconversationwiththesetwocanmakeit.Hewalkedupanddownthefreespaceintheroomacoupleoftimes,acrossthestreethecouldseetheoldwomanwho,now,hadpulledanoldman,mucholderthanherself,uptothewindowandhadherarmsaroundhim.K.hadtoputanendtothisdisplay,"Takemetoyoursuperior,"hesaid."Assoonashewantstoseeyou.Notbefore,"saidthepoliceman,theonecalledWillem."Andnowmyadvicetoyou,"headded,"istogointoyourroom,staycalm,andwaitandseewhat'stobedonewithyou.Ifyoutakeouradvice,youwon'ttireyourselfoutthinkingaboutthingstonopurpose,youneedtopullyourselftogetherasthere'salotthat'sgoingtorequiredofyou.You'venotbehavedtowardsusthewaywedeserveafterbeingsogoodtoyou,youforgetthatwe,whateverweare,we'restillfreemenandyou'renot,andthat'squiteanadvantage.Butinspiteofallthatwe'restillwilling,ifyou'vegotthemoney,togoandgetyousomebreakfastfromthecaféovertheroad."

Withoutgivinganyanswertothisoffer,K.stoodstillforsometime.Perhaps,ifheopenedthedoorofthenextroomoreventhefrontdoor,thetwoofthemwouldnotdaretostandinhisway,perhapsthatwouldbethesimplestwaytosettlethewholething,bybringingittoahead.Butmaybetheywouldgrabhim,andifhewerethrowndownonthegroundhewouldlosealltheadvantagehe,inacertainrespect,hadoverthem.Sohedecidedonthemorecertainsolution,thewaythingswouldgointhenaturalcourseofevents,andwentbackinhisroomw

ithoutanotherwordeitherfromhimorfromthepolicemen.

Hethrewhimselfdownonhisbed,andfromthedressingtablehetooktheniceapplethathehadputtherethepreviouseveningforhisbreakfast.Nowitwasallthebreakfasthehadandanyway,asheconfirmedassoonashetookhisfirst,bigbiteofit,itwasfarbetterthanabreakfasthecouldhavehadthroughthegoodwillofthepolicemenfromthedirtycafé.Hefeltwellandconfident,hehadfailedtogointoworkatthebankthismorningbutthatcouldeasilybeexcusedbecauseoftherelativelyhighpositionheheldthere.Shouldhereallysendinhisexplanation?Hewonderedaboutit.Ifnobodybelievedhim,andinthiscasethatwouldbeunderstandable,hecouldbringMrs.Grubachinasawitness,oreventheoldpairfromacrossthestreet,whoprobablyevennowwereontheirwayovertothewindowopposite.ItpuzzledK.,atleastitpuzzledhimlooking

atitfromthepolicemen'spointofview,thattheyhadmadehimgointotheroomandlefthimalonethere,wherehehadtendifferentwaysofkillinghimself.Atthesametime,though,heaskedhimself,thistimelookingatitfromhisownpointofview,whatreasonhecouldhavetodoso.Becausethosetwoweresittingthereinthenextroomandhadtakenhisbreakfast,perhaps?Itwouldhavebeensopointlesstokillhimselfthat,evenifhehadwantedto,thepointlessnesswouldhavemadehimunable.Maybe,ifthepolicemenhadnotbeensoobviouslylimitedintheirmentalabilities,itcouldhavebeensupposedthattheyhadcometothesameconclusionandsawnodangerinleavinghimalonebecauseofit.Theycouldwatchnow,iftheywanted,andseehowhewentovertothecupboardinthewallwherehekeptabottleofgoodschnapps,howhefirstemptiedaglassofitinplaceofhisbreakfastandhowhethentookasecondglassfulinordertogivehimselfcourage,thelastonejustasaprecautionfortheunlikelychan

ceitwouldbeneeded.

Thenhewassostartledbyashouttohimfromtheotherroomthathestruckhisteethagainsttheglass."Thesupervisorwantstoseeyou!"avoicesaid.Itwasonlytheshoutthatstartledhim,thiscurt,abrupt,militaryshout,thathewouldnothaveexpectedfromthepolicemancalledFranz.Initself,hefoundtheorderverywelcome."Atlast!"hecalledback,lockedthecupboardand,withoutdelay,hurriedintothenextroom.Thetwopolicemenwerestandingthereandchasedhimbackintohisbedroomasifthatwereamatterofcourse."Whatd'youthinkyou'redoing?"theycried."Thinkyou'regoingtoseethesupervisordressed



injustyourshirt,doyou?He'dseetoityougotarightthumping,andusandall!""LetgoofmeforGod'ssake!"calledK.,whohadalreadybeenpushedbackasfarashiswardrobe,"ifyouaccostmewhenI'mstillinbedyoucan'texpecttofindmeinmyeveningdress.""Thatwon'thelpyou,"saidthepolicemen,whoalwaysbecameveryquiet,almostsad,whenK.begantoshout,andinthatwayconfusedhimor,tosomeextent,broughthimtohissenses."Ridiculousformalities!"hegrumbled,asheliftedhiscoatfromthechairandkeptitinbothhishandsforalittlewhile,asifholdingitoutforthepolicemen'sinspection.Theyshooktheirheads."It'sgottobeablackcoat,"theysaid.Atthat,K.threwthecoattothefloorandsaid-withoutknowingevenhimselfwhathemeantbyit-"Wellit'snotgoingtobethemaintrial,afterall."Thepolicemenlaughed,butcontinuedtoinsist,"It'sgottobeablackcoat.""Wellthat'salrightbymeifitmakesthingsgoanyfaster,"saidK.Heopenedthewardrobehimself,spentalongtimesearchingthroughalltheclothes,andchosehisbestblacksuitwhichhadashortjacketthathadgreatlysurprisedthosewhoknewhim,thenhealsopulledoutafreshshirtandbegan,carefully,togetdressed.Hesecretlytoldhimselfthathehadsucceededinspeedingthingsupbylettingthepolicemenforgettomakehimhaveabath.Hewatchedthemtoseeiftheymightrememberafterall,butofcourseitneveroccurredtothem,althoughWillemdidnotforgettosendFranzuptothesupervisorwiththemessagesayingthatK.wasgettingdressed.

Oncehewasproperlydressed,K.hadtopassbyWillemashewentthroughthenextroomintotheonebeyond,thedoorofwhichwasalreadywideopen.K.knewve

rywellthatthisroomhadrecentlybeenlettoatypistcalled'MissBürstner'.Shewasinthehabitofgoingouttoworkveryearlyandcomingbackhomeverylate,andK.hadneverexchangedmorethanafewwordsofgreetingwithher.Now,herbedsidetablehadbeenpulledintothemiddleoftheroomtobeusedasadeskfortheseproceedings,andthesupervisorsatbehindit.Hehadhislegscrossed,andhadthrownonearmoverthebackrestofthechair.

InonecorneroftheroomtherewerethreeyoungpeoplelookingatthephotographsbelongingtoMissBürstnerthathadbeenputintoapieceoffabriconthewall.Hunguponthehandleoftheopenwindowwasawhiteblouse.Atthewindowacrossthestreet,therewastheoldpairagain,althoughnowtheirnumberhadincreased,asbehindthem,andfartallerthantheywere,stoodamanwithanopenshirtthatshowedhischestandareddishgoateebeardwhichhesqueezedandtwis

tedwithhisfingers."JosefK.?"askedthesupervisor,perhapsmerelytoattractK.'sattentionashelookedroundtheroom.K.nodded."Idaresayyouwerequitesurprisedbyallthat'sbeentakingplacethismorning,"saidthesupervisoras,withbothhands,hepushedawaythefewitemsonthebedsidetable-thecandleandboxofmatches,abookandapincushionwhichlaythereasiftheywerethingshewouldneedforhisownbusiness."Certainly,"saidK.,andhebegantofeelrelaxednowthat,atlast,hestoodinfrontofsomeonewithsomesense,someonewithwhomhewouldbeabletotalkabouthissituation."CertainlyI'msurprised,butI'mnotinanywayverysurprised.""You'renotverysurprised?"askedthesupervisor,ashepositionedthecandleinthemiddleofthetableandtheotherthingsinagrouparoundit."Perhapsyoudon'tquiteunderstandme,"K.hurriedlypointedout."WhatImeanis…"hereK.brokeoffwhathewassayingandlookedroundforsomewheretosit."Imaysitdown,mayn'tI?"heasked."Th

at'snotusual,"thesupervisoranswered."WhatImeanis…,"saidK.withoutdelayingasecondtime,"that,yes,Iamverysurprisedbutwhenyou'vebeenintheworldforthirtyyearsalreadyandhadtomakeyourownwaythrougheverythingyourself,whichhasbeenmylot,thenyoubecomehardenedtosurprisesanddon'ttakethemtoohard.Especiallynotwhat'shappenedtoday.""Whyespeciallynotwhat'shappenedtoday?""Iwouldn'twanttosaythatIseeallofthisasajoke,youseemtohavegonetotoomuchtroublemakingallthesearrangementsforthat.Everyoneinthehousemustbetakingpartinitaswellasallofyou,thatwouldbegoingbeyondwhatcouldbeajoke.SoIdon'twanttosaythatthisisajoke.""Quiteright,"saidthesupervisor,lookingtoseehowmanymatcheswere



leftinthebox."Butontheotherhand,"K.wenton,lookingroundateveryonethereandevenwishinghecouldgettheattentionofthethreewhowerelookingatthephotographs,"ontheotherhandthisreallycan'tbeallthatimportant.ThatfollowsfromthefactthatI'vebeenindicted,butcan'tthinkoftheslightestoffenceforwhichIcouldbeindicted.Buteventhatisallbesidethepoint,themainquestionis:Whoisissuingtheindictment?Whatofficeisconductingthisaffair?Areyouofficials?Noneofyouiswearingauniform,unlesswhatyouarewearing"-hereheturnedtowardsFranz-"ismeanttobeauniform,it'sactuallymoreofatravellingsuit.Irequireaclearanswertoallthesequestions,andI'mquitesurethatoncethingshavebeenmadeclearwecantakeourleaveofeachotheronthebestofterms."Thesupervisorslammedtheboxofmatchesdownonthetable."You'remakingabigmistake,"hesaid."ThesegentlemenandIhavegotnothingtodowithyourbusiness,infactweknowalmostnothingaboutyou.Wecouldbewearinguniformsasproperandexactasyoulikeandyoursituationwouldn'tbeanytheworseforit.Astowhetheryou'reonacharge,Ican'tgiveyouanysortofclearanswertothat,Idon'tevenknowwhetheryouareornot.You'reunderarrest,you'requiterightaboutthat,butIdon'tknowanymorethanthat.Maybetheseofficershavebeenchit-chattingwithyou,welliftheyhavethat'sallitis,chit-chat.Ican'tgiveyouananswertoyourquestions,butIcangiveyouabitofadvice:You'dbetterthinklessaboutusandwhat'sgoingtohappentoyou,andthinkabitmoreaboutyourself.Andstopmakingallthisfussaboutyoursenseofinnocence;youdon'tmakesuchabadimpression,butwithallthisfussyou'redamagingit.Andyououghttodoabitlesstalking,too.Almosteverythingyou'vesaidsofarhasbeenthingswecould

havetakenfromyourbehaviour,evenifyou'dsaidnomorethanafewwords.Andwhatyouhavesaidhasnotexactlybeeninyourfavour."

K.staredatthesupervisor.Wasthisman,probablyyoungerthanhewas,lecturinghimlikeaschoolmaster?Washebeingpunishedforhishonestywithatellingoff?Andwashetolearnnothingaboutthereasonsforhisarrestorthosewhowerearrestinghim?Hebecamesomewhatcrossandbegantowalkupanddown.No-onestoppedhimdoingthisandhepushedhissleevesback,felthischest,straightenedhishair,wentovertothethreemen,said,"Itmakesnosense,"atwhichthesethreeturnedroundtofacehimandcametowardshimwithseriousexpressions.Hefinallycameagaintoahaltinfrontofthesupervisor'sdesk."StateAttorneyHastererisagoodfriendofmine,"hesaid,"canItelephonehim?""Certainly,"saidthesupervisor,"butIdon'tknowwhatthepointofthatwillbe,

Isupposeyoumusthavesomeprivatematteryouwanttodiscusswithhim.""Whatthepointis?"shoutedK.,moredisconcertedthatcross."Whodoyouthinkyouare?Youwanttoseesomepointinitwhileyou'recarryingoutsomethingaspointlessasitcouldbe?It'senoughtomakeyoucry!Thesegentlemenfirstaccostme,andnowtheysitorstandaboutinhereandletmebehauledupinfrontofyou.Whatpointtherewouldbe,intelephoningastateattorneywhenI'mostensiblyunderarrest?Verywell,Iwon'tmakethetelephonecall.""Youcancallhimifyouwantto,"saidthesupervisor,stretchinghishandouttowardstheouterroomwherethetelephonewas,"please,goon,domakeyourphonecall.""No,Idon'twanttoanymore,"saidK.,andwentovertothewindow.Acrossthestreet,thepeoplewerestillthereatthewindow,anditwasonlynowthatK.hadgoneuptohiswindowthattheyseemedtobecomeuneasyaboutquietlywatchingwhatwasgoingon.Theoldcouplewantedtogetupbutthemanbehindthemcalmedt

hemdown."We'vegotsomekindofaudienceoverthere,"calledK.tothesupervisor,quiteloudly,ashepointedoutwithhisforefinger."Goaway,"hethencalledacrosstothem.Andthethreeofthemdidimmediatelyretreatafewsteps,theoldpairevenfoundthemselvesbehindthemanwhothenconcealedthemwiththebreadthofhisbodyandseemed,goingbythemovementsofhismouth,tobesayingsomethingincomprehensibleintothedistance.Theydidnotdisappearentirely,though,butseemedtobewaitingforthemomentwhentheycouldcomebacktothewindowwithoutbeingnoticed."Intrusive,thoughtlesspeople!"saidK.asheturnedbackintotheroom.Thesupervisormayhaveagreedwithhim,atleastK.thoughtthatwaswhathesawfromthecornerofhiseye.Butitwasjustaspos



siblethathehadnotevenbeenlisteningashehadhishandpressedfirmlydownonthetableandseemedtobecomparingthelengthofhisfingers.Thetwopolicemenweresittingonachestcoveredwithacolouredblanket,rubbingtheirknees.Thethreeyoungpeoplehadputtheirhandsontheirhipsandwerelookingroundaimlessly.Everythingwasstill,likeinsomeofficethathasbeenforgottenabout."Now,gentlemen,"calledoutK.,andforamomentitseemedasifhewascarryingallofthemonhisshoulders,"itlookslikeyourbusinesswithmeisoverwith.Inmyopinion,it'sbestnowtostopwonderingaboutwhetheryou'reproceedingcorrectlyorincorrectly,andtobringthemattertoapeacefulclosewithamutualhandshake.Ifyouareofthesameopinion,thenplease…"andhewalkeduptothesupervisor'sdeskandheldouthishandtohim.Thesupervisorraisedhiseyes,bithislipandlookedatK.'soutstretchedhand;Kstillbelievedthesupervisorwoulddoashesuggested.Butinstead,hestoodup,pickedupahardroundhatthatwaslayingonMissBürstner'sbedandputitcarefullyontohishead,usingbothhandsasiftryingonanewhat."Everythingseemssosimpletoyou,doesn'tit,"hesaidtoK.ashedidso,"soyouthinkweshouldbringthemattertoapeacefulclose,doyou.No,no,thatwon'tdo.Mindyou,ontheotherhandIcertainlywouldn'twantyoutothinkthere'snohopeforyou.No,whyshouldyouthinkthat?You'resimplyunderarrest,nothingmorethanthat.That'swhatIhadtotellyou,that'swhatI'vedoneandnowI'veseenhowyou'vetakenit.That'senoughforonedayandwecantakeourleaveofeachother,forthetimebeingatleast.Iexpectyou'llwanttogointothebanknow,won'tyou.""Intothebank?"askedK.,"IthoughtIwasunderarrest."K.saidthiswithacertainamountofdefianceas,althoughhishandshakehadnotbeenaccepted,

hewasfeelingmoreindependentofallthesepeople,especiallysincethesupervisorhadstoodup.Hewasplayingwiththem.Iftheyleft,hehaddecidedhewouldrunafterthemandoffertoletthemarresthim.That'swhyheevenrepeated,"HowcanIgointothebankwhenI'munderarrest?""Iseeyou'vemisunderstoodme,"saidthesupervisorwhowasalreadyatthedoor."It'struethatyou'reunderarrest,butthatshouldn'tstopyoufromcarryingoutyourjob.Andthereshouldn'tbeanythingtostopyoucarryingonwithyourusuallife.""Inthatcaseit'snottoobad,beingunderarrest,"saidK.,andwentupclosetothesupervisor."Inevermeantitshouldbeanythingelse,"hereplied."Ithardlyseemstohavebeennecessarytonotifymeofthearrestinthatcase,"saidK.,andwentevencloser.Theothershadalsocomecloser.Allofthemhadgatheredtogetherintoanarrowspacebythedoor."Thatwasmyduty,"saidthesupervisor."Asillyduty,"saidK.,unyielding."Maybeso,"repliedthesupervisor,"onlydon'

tlet'swasteourtimetalkingonlikethis.Ihadassumedyou'dbewantingtogotothebank.Asyou'repayingcloseattentiontoeverywordI'lladdthis:I'mnotforcingyoutogotothebank,I'djustassumedyouwantedto.Andtomakethingseasierforyou,andtoletyougettothebankwithaslittlefussaspossibleI'veputthesethreegentlemen,colleaguesofyours,atyourdisposal.""What'sthat?"exclaimedK.,andlookedatthethreeinastonishment.Hecouldonlyrememberseeingthemintheirgroupbythephotographs,butthesecharacterless,anaemicyoungpeoplewereindeedofficialsfromhisbank,notcolleaguesofhis,thatwasputtingittoohighanditshowedagapintheomniscienceofthesupervisor,buttheywerenonethelessjuniormembersofstaffatthebank.HowcouldK.havefailedtoseethat?Howoccupiedhemusthavebeenwiththesupervisorandthepolicemennottohaverecognisedthesethree!Rabensteiner,withhisstiffdemeanourandswinginghands,Kullich,withhisblondehairanddeep-sete

yes,andKaminer,withhisinvoluntarygrincausedbychronicmusclespasms."Goodmorning,"saidK.afterawhile,extendinghishandtothegentlemenastheybowedcorrectlytohim."Ididn'trecogniseyouatall.So,we'llgointoworknow,shallwe?"Thegentlemenlaughedandnoddedenthusiastically,asifthatwaswhattheyhadbeenwaitingforallthetime,exceptthatK.hadlefthishatinhisroomsotheyalldashed,oneafteranother,intotheroomtofetchit,whichcausedacertainamountofembarrassment.K.stoodwherehewasandwatchedthemthroughtheopendoubledoorway,thelasttogo,ofcourse,wastheapatheticRabensteinerwhohadbrokenintonomorethananeleganttrot.KaminergottothehatandK.,asheoftenhadtodoatthebank,forciblyremindedhimselfthat



thegrinwasnotdeliberate,thatheinfactwasn'tabletogrindeliberately.AtthatmomentMrs.Grubachopenedthedoorfromthehallwayintothelivingroomwhereallthepeoplewere.Shedidnotseemtofeelguiltyaboutanythingatall,andK.,asoftenbefore,lookeddownatthebeltofherapronwhich,fornoreason,cutsodeeplyintoherheftybody.Oncedownstairs,K.,withhiswatchinhishand,decidedtotakeataxi-hehadalreadybeendelayedbyhalfanhourandtherewasnoneedtomakethedelayanylonger.Kaminerrantothecornertosummonit,andthetwoothersweremakingobviouseffortstokeepK.divertedwhenKullichpointedtothedoorwayofthehouseontheothersideofthestreetwherethelargemanwiththeblondegoateebeardappearedand,alittleembarrassedatfirstatlettinghimselfbeseeninhisfullheight,steppedbacktothewallandleantagainstit.Theoldcouplewereprobablystillonthestairs.K.wascrosswithKullichforpointingoutthismanwhomhehadalreadyseenhimself,infactwhomhehadbeenexpecting."Don'tlookathim!"hesnapped,withoutnoticinghowodditwastospeaktofreemeninthisway.Buttherewasnoexplanationneededanywayasjustthenthetaxiarrived,theysatinsideandsetoff.Insidethetaxi,K.rememberedthathehadnotnoticedthesupervisorandthepolicemenleaving-thesupervisorhadstoppedhimnoticingthethreebankstaffandnowthethreebankstaffhadstoppedhimnoticingthesupervisor.ThisshowedthatK.wasnotveryattentive,andheresolvedtowatchhimselfmorecarefullyinthisrespect.Nonetheless,hegaveitnothoughtashetwistedhimselfroundandleantoverontotherearshelfofthecartocatchsightofthesupervisorandthepolicemenifhecould.Butheturnedbackroundstraightawayandleantcomfortablyintothecornerofthetaxiwithoutevenhavingmadetheeffortto

seeanyone.Althoughitdidnotseemlikeit,nowwasjustthetimewhenheneededsomeencouragement,butthegentlemenseemedtiredjustthen,Rabensteinerlookedoutofthecartotheright,KullichtotheleftandonlyKaminerwastherewithhisgrinatK.'sservice.Itwouldhavebeeninhumanetomakefunofthat.

Thatspring,wheneverpossible,K.usuallyspenthiseveningsafterwork-heusuallystayedintheofficeuntilnineo'clock-withashortwalk,eitherbyhimselforinthecompanyofsomeofthebankofficials,andthenhewouldgointoapubwherehewouldsitattheregulars'tablewithmostlyoldermenuntileleven.Therewere,however,alsoexceptionstothishabit,times,forinstance,whenK.wasinvitedbythebank'smanager(whomhegreatlyrespectedforhisindustryandtrustworthiness)togowithhimforarideinhiscarortoeatdinnerwi

thhimathislargehouse.K.wouldalsogo,onceaweek,toseeagirlcalledElsawhoworkedasawaitressinawinebarthroughthenightuntillateinthemorning.Duringthedaytimesheonlyreceivedvisitorswhilestillinbed.

Thatevening,though,-thedayhadpassedquicklywithalotofhardworkandmanyrespectfulandfriendlybirthdaygreetings-K.wantedtogostraighthome.Eachtimehehadanysmallbreakfromtheday'sworkheconsidered,withoutknowingexactlywhathehadinmind,thatMrs.Grubach'sflatseemedtohavebeenputintogreatdisarraybytheeventsofthatmorning,andthatitwasuptohimtoputitbackintoorder.Onceorderhadbeenrestored,everytraceofthoseeventswouldhavebeenerasedandeverythingwouldtakeitspreviouscourseoncemore.Inparticular,therewasnothingtofearfromthethreebankofficials,theyhadimmersedthemselvesbackintotheirpaperworkandtherewasnoalterationt

obeseeninthem.K.hadcalledeachofthem,separatelyoralltogether,intohisofficethatdayfornootherreasonthantoobservethem;hewasalwayssatisfiedandhadalwaysbeenabletoletthemgoagain.

Athalfpastninethatevening,whenhearrivedbackinfrontofthebuildingwherehelived,hemetayoungladinthedoorwaywhowasstandingthere,hislegsapartandsmokingapipe."Whoareyou?"immediatelyaskedK.,bringinghisfaceclosetothelad's,asitwashardtoseeinthehalflightofthelanding."I'mthelandlord'sson,sir,"answeredthelad,takingthepipefromhismouthandsteppingtooneside."Thelandlord'sson?"askedK.,andimpatientlyknocked



onthegroundwithhisstick."Didyouwantanything,sir?Wouldyoulikemetofetchmyfather?""No,no,"saidK.,therewassomethingforgivinginhisvoice,asiftheboyhadharmedhiminsomewayandhewasexcusinghim."It'salright,"hesaidthen,andwenton,butbeforegoingupthestairsheturnedroundoncemore.

Hecouldhavegonedirectlytohisroom,butashewantedtospeakwithMrs.Grubachhewentstraighttoherdoorandknocked.Shewassatatthetablewithaknittedstockingandapileofoldstockingsinfrontofher.K.apologised,alittleembarrassedatcomingsolate,butMrs.Grubachwasveryfriendlyanddidnotwanttohearanyapology,shewasalwaysreadytospeaktohim,heknewverywellthathewasherbestandherfavouritetenant.K.lookedroundtheroom,itlookedexactlyasitusuallydid,thebreakfastdishes,whichhadbeenonthetablebythewindowthatmorning,hadalreadybeenclearedaway."Awoman'shandswilldomanythingswhenno-one'slooking,"hethought,hemighthimselfhavesmashedallthedishesonthespotbutcertainlywouldnothavebeenabletocarryitallout.HelookedatMrs.Grubachwithsomegratitude."Whyareyouworkingsolate?"heasked.Theywerenowbothsittingatthetable,andK.nowandthensankhishandsintothepileofstockings."There'salotofworktodo,"shesaid,"duringthedayIbelongtothetenants;ifI'mtosortoutmyownthingsthereareonlytheeveningslefttome.""IfearImayhavecausedyousomeexceptionalworktoday.""Howdoyoumean,Mr.K.?"sheasked,becomingmoreinterestedandleavingherworkinherlap."Imeanthemenwhowereherethismorning.""Oh,Isee,"shesaid,andwentpeacefullybacktowhatshewasdoing,"that

wasnotrouble,notespecially."K.lookedoninsilenceasshetookuptheknittedstockingoncemore.Sheseemssurprisedatmymentioningit,hethought,sheseemstothinkit'simproperformetomentionit.Allthemoreimportantformetodoso.AnoldwomanistheonlypersonIcanspeakaboutitwith."Butitmusthavecausedsomeworkforyou,"hesaidthen,"butitwon'thappenagain.""No,itcan'thappenagain,"sheagreed,andsmiledatK.inawaythatwasalmostpained."Doyoumeanthatseriously?"askedK."Yes,"shesaid,moregently,"buttheimportantthingisyoumustn'ttakeittoohard.Therearesomanyawfulthingshappeningintheworld!Asyou'rebeingsohonestwithme,Mr.K.,IcanadmittoyouthatIlistenedtoalittleofwhatwasgoingonfrombehindthedoor,andthatthosetwopolicementoldmeoneortwothingsaswell.It'salltodowithyourhappiness,andthat'ssomethingthat'squiteclosetomyheart,perhapsmorethanitshouldbeasIam,afterall,onlyyourlandlady.Anyway,so

IheardoneortwothingsbutIcan'treallysaythatit'saboutanythingveryserious.No.Youhavebeenarrested,butit'snotinthesamewayaswhentheyarrestathief.Ifyou'rearrestedinthesamewayasathief,thenit'sbad,butanarrestlikethis….Itseemstomethatit'ssomethingverycomplicated-forgivemeifI'msayingsomethingstupid-somethingverycomplicatedthatIdon'tunderstand,butsomethingthatyoudon'treallyneedtounderstandanyway."

"There'snothingstupidaboutwhatyou'vesaid,Mrs.Grubach,oratleastIpartlyagreewithyou,only,thewayIjudgethewholethingisharsherthanyours,andthinkit'snotonlynotsomethingcomplicatedbutsimplyafussaboutnothing.Iwasjustcaughtunawares,that'swhathappened.IfIhadgotupassoonasIwasawakewithoutlettingmyselfgetconfusedbecauseAnnawasn'tthere,ifI'dgotupandpaidnoregardtoanyonewhomighthavebeeninmywayandcomestr

aighttoyou,ifI'ddonesomethinglikehavingmybreakfastinthekitchenasanexception,askedyoutobringmyclothesfrommyroom,inshort,ifIhadbehavedsensiblythennothingmorewouldhavehappened,everythingthatwaswaitingtohappenwouldhavebeenstifled.Peoplearesooftenunprepared.Inthebank,forexample,Iamwellprepared,nothingofthissortcouldpossiblyhappentomethere,Ihavemyownassistantthere,therearetelephonesforinternalandexternalcallsinfrontofmeonthedesk,Icontinuallyreceivevisitsfrompeople,representatives,officials,butbesidesthat,andmostimportantly,I'malwaysoccupiedwithmywork,that'stosayI'malwaysalert,itwouldevenbeapleasureformetofindmyselffacedwithsomethingofthatsort.Butnowit'sover



with,andIdidn'treallyevenwanttotalkaboutitanymore,onlyIwantedtohearwhatyou,asasensiblewoman,thoughtaboutitall,andI'mverygladtohearthatwe'reinagreement.Butnowyoumustgivemeyourhand,anagreementofthissortneedstobeconfirmedwithahandshake."

Willsheshakehandswithme?Thesupervisordidn'tshakehands,hethought,andlookedatthewomandifferentlyfrombefore,examiningher.Shestoodup,ashehadalsostoodup,andwasalittleself-conscious,shehadn'tbeenabletounderstandeverythingthatK.said.Asaresultofthisselfconsciousnessshesaidsomethingthatshecertainlydidnotintendandcertainlywasnotappropriate."Don'ttakeitsohard,Mr.K.,"shesaid,withtearsinhervoiceandalso,ofcourse,forgettingthehandshake."Ididn'tknowIwastakingithard,"saidK.,feelingsuddenlytiredandseeingthatifthiswomandidagreewithhimitwasofverylittlevalue.

Beforegoingoutthedoorheasked,"IsMissBürstnerhome?""No,"saidMrs.Grubach,smilingasshegavethissimplepieceofinformation,sayingsomethingsensibleatlast."She'satthetheatre.Didyouwanttoseeher?ShouldIgiveheramessage?""I,er,Ijustwantedtohaveafewwordswithher.""I'mafraidIdon'tknowwhenshe'scomingin;sheusuallygetsbacklatewhenshe'sbeentothetheatre.""Itreallydoesn'tmatter,"saidK.hisheadhangingasheturnedtothedoortoleave,"Ijustwantedtogivehermyapologyfortakingoverherroomtoday.""There'snoneedforthat,Mr.K.,you'retooconscientious,theyoungladydoesn'tknowanythingaboutit,shehasn'tbeenhomesinceearlythismorn

ingandeverything'sbeentidiedupagain,youcanseeforyourself."AndsheopenedthedoortoMissBürstner'sroom."Thankyou,I'lltakeyourwordforit,"saidK,butwentnonethelessovertotheopendoor.Themoonshonequietlyintotheunlitroom.Asfarascouldbeseen,everythingwasindeedinitsplace,noteventheblousewashangingonthewindowhandle.Thepillowsonthebedlookedremarkablyplumpastheylayhalfinthemoonlight."MissBürstneroftencomeshomelate,"saidK.,lookingatMrs.Grubachasifthatwereherresponsibility."That'showyoungpeopleare!"saidMrs.Grubachtoexcuseherself."Ofcourse,ofcourse,"saidK.,"butitcanbetakentoofar.""Yes,itcanbe,"saidMrs.Grubach,"you'resoright,Mr.K.Perhapsitisinthiscase.Icertainlywouldn'twanttosayanythingnastyaboutMissBürstner,sheisagood,sweetgirl,friendly,tidy,punctual,workshard,Iappreciateallthatverymuch,butonethingistrue,sheoughttohavemorepride,beabitlessforthcoming.Twicethismonth

already,inthestreetovertheway,I'veseenherwithadifferentgentleman.Ireallydon'tlikesayingthis,you'retheonlyoneI'vesaidthisto,Mr.K.,IsweartoGod,butI'mgoingtohavenochoicebuttohaveafewwordswithMissBürstneraboutitmyself.Andit'snottheonlythingaboutherthatI'mworriedabout.""Mrs.Grubach,youareonquitethewrongtrack,"saidK.,soangrythathewashardlyabletohideit,"andyouhavemoreovermisunderstoodwhatIwassayingaboutMissBürstner,thatisnotwhatImeant.InfactIwarnyouquitedirectlynottosayanythingtoher,youarequitemistaken,IknowMissBürstnerverywellandthereisnotruthatallinwhatyousay.Andwhat'smore,perhapsI'mgoingtofar,Idon'twanttogetinyourway,saytoherwhateveryouseefit.Goodnight.""Mr.K.,"saidMrs.Grubachasifaskinghimforsomethingandhurryingtohisdoorwhichhehadalreadyopened,"Idon'twanttospeaktoMissBürstneratall,notyet,ofcourseI'llcontinuetokeepaneyeonherbutyou're

theonlyoneI'vetoldwhatIknow.Anditis,afterallsomethingthateveryonewholetsroomshastodoifshe'stokeepthehousedecent,that'sallI'mtryingtodo.""Decent!"calledoutK.throughthecrackinthedoor,"ifyouwanttokeepthehousedecentyou'llfirsthavetogivemenotice."Thenheslammedthedoorshut,therewasagentleknockingtowhichhepaidnomoreattention.

Hedidnotfeelatalllikegoingtobed,sohedecidedtostayup,andthiswouldalsogivehimthechancetofindoutwhenMissBürstnerwouldarrivehome.Perhapsitwouldalsostillbepossible,evenifalittleinappropriate,tohaveafewwordswithher.Ashelaytherebythewindow,pressinghishandstohistire



deyes,heeventhoughtforamomentthathemightpunishMrs.GrubachbypersuadingMissBürstnertogiveinhernoticeatthesametimeashewould.Butheimmediatelyrealisedthatthatwouldbeshockinglyexcessive,andtherewouldevenbethesuspicionthathewasmovinghousebecauseoftheincidentsofthatmorning.Nothingwouldhavebeenmorenonsensicaland,aboveall,morepointlessandcontemptible.

Whenhehadbecometiredoflookingoutontotheemptystreetheslightlyopenedthedoortothelivingroomsothathecouldseeanyonewhoenteredtheflatfromwherehewasandlaydownonthecouch.Helaythere,quietlysmokingacigar,untilabouteleveno'clock.Hewasn'tabletoholdoutlongerthanthat,andwentalittlewayintothehallwayasifinthatwayhecouldmakeMissBürstnerarrivesooner.Hehadnoparticulardesireforher,hecouldnotevenrememberwhatshelookedlike,butnowhewantedtospeaktoheranditirritatedhimthatherlatearrivalhomemeantthisdaywouldbefullofuneaseanddisorderrighttoitsveryend.ItwasalsoherfaultthathehadnothadanydinnerthateveningandthathehadbeenunabletovisitElsaashehadintended.Hecouldstillmakeupforbothofthosethings,though,ifhewenttothewinebarwhereElsaworked.Hewantedtodosoevenlater,afterthediscussionwithMissBürstner.

Itwasalreadygonehalfpastelevenwhensomeonecouldbeheardinthestairway.K.,whohadbeenlostinhisthoughtsinthehallway,walkingupanddownloudlyasifitwerehisownroom,fledbehindhisdoor.MissBürstnerhadarrived.Shivering,shepulledasilkshawloverherslendershouldersasshelockedthedo

or.Thenextmomentshewouldcertainlygointoherroom,whereK.oughtnottointrudeinthemiddleofthenight;thatmeanthewouldhavetospeaktohernow,but,unfortunately,hehadnotputtheelectriclightoninhisroomsothatwhenhesteppedoutofthedarkitwouldgivetheimpressionofbeinganattackandwouldcertainly,attheveryleast,havebeenquitealarming.Therewasnotimetolose,andinhishelplessnesshewhisperedthroughthecrackofthedoor,"MissBürstner."Itsoundedlikehewaspleadingwithher,notcallingtoher."Istheresomeonethere?"askedMissBürstner,lookingroundwithhereyeswideopen."It'sme,"saidK.andcameout."Oh,Mr.K.!"saidMissBürstnerwithasmile."GoodEvening,"andofferedhimherhand."Iwantedtohaveawordwithyou,ifyouwouldallowme?""Now?"askedMissBürstner,"doesithavetobenow?Itisalittleodd,isn'tit?""I'vebeenwaitingforyousincenineo'clock.""Well,Iwasatthetheatre,Ididn'tknowanythingaboutyouwaitingforme.""Thereason

Ineedtospeaktoyouonlycameuptoday""Isee,wellIdon'tseewhynot,Isuppose,apartfrombeingsotiredIcoulddrop.Comeintomyroomforafewminutesthen.Wecertainlycan'ttalkouthere,we'dwakeeveryoneupandIthinkthatwouldbemoreunpleasantforusthanforthem.WaitheretillI'veputthelightoninmyroom,andthenturnthelightdownouthere."K.didashewastold,andthenevenwaiteduntilMissBürstnercameoutofherroomandquietlyinvitedhim,oncemore,tocomein."Sitdown,"shesaid,indicatingtheottoman,whilesheherselfremainedstandingbythebedpostdespitethetirednessshehadspokenof;shedidnoteventakeoffherhat,whichwassmallbutdecoratedwithanabundanceofflowers."Whatisityouwanted,then?I'mreallyquitecurious."Shegentlycrossedherlegs."Iexpectyou'llsay,"K.began,"thatthematterreallyisn'tallthaturgentandwedon'tneedtotalkaboutitrightnow,but…""Ineverlistentointroductions,"saidMissBürstner."Thatmakesmyjobsomuch

easier,"saidK."Thismorning,tosomeextentthroughmyfault,yourroomwasmadealittleuntidy,thishappenedbecauseofpeopleIdidnotknowandagainstmywillbut,asIsaid,becauseofmyfault;Iwantedtoapologiseforit.""Myroom?"askedMissBürstner,andinsteadoflookingroundtheroomscrutinisedK."Itistrue,"saidK.,andnow,forthefirsttime,theylookedeachotherintheeyes,"there'snopointinsayingexactlyhowthiscameabout.""Butthat'stheinterestingthingaboutit,"saidMissBürstner."No,"saidK."Wellthen,"saidMissBürstner,"Idon'twanttoforcemywayintoanysecrets,ifyouinsistthatit'sofnointerestIwon'tinsist.I'mquitehappytoforgiveyouforit,asyouask,especiallyasIcan'tseeanythingatallthat'sbeenleftuntidy."With



herhandlaidflatonherlowerhip,shemadeatouraroundtheroom.Atthematwherethephotographswereshestopped."Lookatthis!"shecried."Myphotographsreallyhavebeenputinthewrongplaces.Oh,that'shorrible.Someonereallyhasbeeninmyroomwithoutpermission."K.nodded,andquietlycursedKaminerwhoworkedathisbankandwhowasalwaysactivedoingthingsthathadneitherusenorpurpose."Itisodd,"saidMissBürstner,"thatI'mforcedtoforbidyoutodosomethingthatyououghttohaveforbiddenyourselftodo,namelytocomeintomyroomwhenI'mnothere.""ButIdidexplaintoyou,"saidK.,andwentovertojoinherbythephotographs,"thatitwasn'tmewhointerferedwithyourphotographs;butasyoudon'tbelievemeI'llhavetoadmitthattheinvestigatingcommitteebroughtalongthreebankemployeeswiththem,oneofthemmusthavetouchedyourphotographsandassoonasIgetthechanceI'llasktohavehimdismissedfromthebank.Yes,therewasaninvestigatingcommitteehere,"addedK.,astheyoungladywaslookingathimenquiringly."Becauseofyou?"sheasked."Yes,"answeredK."No!"theladycriedwithalaugh."Yes,theywere,"saidK.,"youbelievethatI'minnocentthen,doyou?""Wellnow,innocent…"saidthelady,"Idon'twanttostartmakinganypronouncementsthatmighthaveseriousconsequences,Idon'treallyknowyouafterall,itmeansthey'redealingwithaseriouscriminaliftheysendaninvestigatingcommitteestraightouttogethim.Butyou'renotincustodynow-atleastItakeityou'venotescapedfromprisonconsideringthatyouseemquitecalm-soyoucan'thavecommittedanycrimeofthatsort.""Yes,"saidK.,"butitmightbethattheinvestigatingcommitteecouldseethatI'minnocent,ornotsoguiltyashadbeensupposed.""Yes,that'scertainlyapossibility,"saidMissBürstner,whoseemedveryinterested."Liste

n,"saidK.,"youdon'thavemuchexperienceinlegalmatters.""No,that'strue,Idon't,"saidMissBürstner,"andI'veoftenregrettedit,asI'dliketoknoweverythingandI'mveryinterestedinlegalmatters.There'ssomethingpeculiarlyattractiveaboutthelaw,isn'tthere?ButI'llcertainlybeperfectingmyknowledgeinthisarea,asnextmonthIstartworkinalegaloffice.""That'sverygood,"saidK.,"thatmeansyou'llbeabletogivemesomehelpwithmytrial.""Thatcouldwellbe,"saidMissBürstner,"whynot?IliketomakeuseofwhatIknow.""Imeanitquiteseriously,"saidK.,"oratleast,halfseriously,asyoudo.Thisaffairistoopettytocallinalawyer,butIcouldmakegooduseofsomeonewhocouldgivemeadvice.""Yes,butifI'mtogiveyouadviceI'llhavetoknowwhatit'sallabout,"saidMissBürstner."That'sexactlytheproblem,"saidK.,"Idon'tknowthatmyself.""Soyouhavebeenmakingfunofme,then,"saidMissBürstnerexceedinglydisappointed,"youreallyoughtnottotrysomethin

glikethatonatthistimeofnight."Andshesteppedawayfromthephotographswheretheyhadstoodsolongtogether."MissBürstner,no,"saidK.,"I'mnotmakingfunofyou.Pleasebelieveme!I'vealreadytoldyoueverythingIknow.MorethanIknow,infact,asitactuallywasn'tevenaninvestigatingcommittee,that'sjustwhatIcalledthembecauseIdon'tknowwhatelsetocallthem.Therewasnocrossquestioningatall,Iwasmerelyarrested,butbyacommittee."MissBürstnersatontheottomanandlaughedagain."Whatwasitlikethen?"sheasked."Itwasterrible"saidK.,althoughhismindwasnolongeronthesubject,hehadbecometotallyabsorbedbyMissBürstner'sgazewhowassupportingherchinononehand-theelbowrestedonthecushionoftheottoman-andslowlystrokingherhipwiththeother."That'stoovague,"saidMissBürstner."What'stoovague?"askedK.Thenherememberedhimselfandasked,"Wouldyoulikemetoshowyouwhatitwaslike?"Hewantedtomoveinsomewaybutdidnotwanttoleave."I

'malreadytired,"saidMissBürstner."Youarrivedbacksolate,"saidK."Nowyou'vestartedtellingmeoff.WellIsupposeIdeserveitasIshouldn'thaveletyouinhereinthefirstplace,anditturnsouttherewasn'tevenanypoint.""Oh,therewasapoint,you'llseenowhowimportantapointitwas,"saidK."MayImovethistableawayfromyourbedsideandputithere?""Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"saidMissBürstner."Ofcourseyoucan't!""InthatcaseIcan'tshowyou,"saidK.,quiteupset,asifMissBürstnerhadcommittedsomeincomprehensibleoffenceagainsthim."Alrightthen,ifyouneedittoshowwhatyoumean,justtakethebedsidetablethen,"saidMissBürstner,andafterashortpauseaddedinaweakvoice,"I'msotiredI'mallowingmorethanIoughtto."K.putthe



littletableinthemiddleoftheroomandsatdownbehindit."Youhavetogetaproperideaofwherethepeopleweresituated,itisveryinteresting.I'mthesupervisor,sittingoverthereonthechestaretwopolicemen,standingnexttothephotographstherearethreeyoungpeople.Hangingonthehandleofthewindowisawhiteblouse-Ijustmentionthatbytheway.Andnowitbegins.Ahyes,I'mforgettingmyself,themostimportantpersonofall,soI'mstandinghereinfrontofthetable.Thesupervisorissittingextremelycomfortablywithhislegscrossedandhisarmhangingoverthebackrestherelikesomelayabout.Andnowitreallydoesbegin.Thesupervisorcallsoutasifhehadtowakemeup,infactheshoutsatme,I'mafraid,ifI'mtomakeitcleartoyou,I'llhavetoshoutaswell,andit'snothingmorethanmynamethatheshoutsout."MissBürstner,laughingasshelistenedtohim,laidherforefingeronhermouthsothatK.wouldnotshout,butitwastoolate.K.wastooengrossedinhisroleandslowlycalledout,"JosefK.!".Itwasnotasloudashehadthreatened,butnonetheless,oncehehadsuddenlycalleditout,thecryseemedgraduallytospreaditselfallroundtheroom.

Therewasaseriesofloud,curtandregularknocksatthedooroftheadjoiningroom.MissBürstnerwentpaleandlaidherhandonherheart.K.wasespeciallystartled,asforamomenthehadbeenquiteunabletothinkofanythingotherthantheeventsofthatmorningandthegirlforwhomhewasperformingthem.HehadhardlypulledhimselftogetherwhenhejumpedovertoMissBürstnerandtookherhand."Don'tbeafraid,"hewhispered,"I'llputeverythingright.Butwhocanitbe?It'sonlythelivingroomnextdoor,nobodysleepsinthere.""Yestheyd

o,"whisperedMissBürstnerintoK.'sear,"anephewofMrs.Grubach's,ancaptaininthearmy,hasbeensleepingtheresinceyesterday.There'snootherroomfree.I'dforgottenaboutittoo.Whydidyouhavetoshoutlikethat?You'vemademequiteupset.""Thereisnoreasonforit,"saidK.,and,nowasshesankbackontothecushion,kissedherforehead."Goaway,goaway,"shesaid,hurriedlysittingbackup,"getoutofhere,go,whatisityouwant,he'slisteningatthedoorhecanheareverything.You'recausingmesomuchtrouble!""Iwon'tgo,"saidK.,"untilyou'vecalmeddownabit.Comeoverintotheothercorneroftheroom,hewon'tbeabletohearusthere."Shelethimleadherthere."Don'tforget,"hesaid,"althoughthismightbeunpleasantforyouyou'renotinanyrealdanger.YouknowhowmuchesteemMrs.Grubachhasforme,she'stheonewhowillmakeallthedecisionsinthis,especiallyasthecaptainishernephew,butshebelieveseverythingIsaywithoutquestion.What'smore,shehasborroweda

largesumofmoneyfrommeandthatmakesherdependentonme.Iwillconfirmwhateveryousaytoexplainourbeingheretogether,howeverinappropriateitmightbe,andIguaranteetomakesurethatMrs.Grubachwillnotonlysayshebelievestheexplanationinpublicbutwillbelieveittrulyandsincerely.Youwillhavenoneedtoconsidermeinanyway.IfyouwishtoletitbeknownthatIhaveattackedyouthenMrs.Grubachwillbeinformedofsuchandshewillbelieveitwithoutevenlosinghertrustinme,that'showmuchrespectshehasforme."MissBürstnerlookedatthefloorinfrontofher,quietandalittlesunkinonherself."WhywouldMrs.GrubachnotbelievethatI'veattackedyou?"addedK.Helookedatherhairinfrontofhim,parted,buncheddown,reddishandfirmlyheldinplace.Hethoughtshewouldlookupathim,butwithoutchanginghermannershesaid,"Forgiveme,butitwasthesuddennessoftheknockingthatstartledmesomuch,notsomuchwhattheconsequencesofthecaptainbeingheremight

be.Itwasallsoquietafteryou'dshouted,andthentherewastheknocking,that'swasmademesoshocked,andIwassittingrightbythedoor,theknockingwasrightnexttome.Thankyouforyoursuggestions,butIwon'tacceptthem.Icanbeartheresponsibilityforanythingthathappensinmyroommyself,andIcandosowithanyone.I'msurprisedyoudon'trealisejusthowinsultingyoursuggestionsareandwhattheyimplyaboutme,althoughIcertainlyacknowledgeyourgoodintentions.Butnow,pleasego,leavemealone,IneedyoutogonowevenmorethanIdidearlier.Thecoupleofminutesyouaskedforhavegrownintohalfanhour,morethanhalfanhournow."K.tookholdofherhand,andthenofherwrist,"You'renotcrosswithme,though?"hesaid.Shepulledherhandaway



andanswered,"No,no,I'mnevercrosswithanyone."Hegraspedherwristoncemore,shetolerateditnowand,inthatway,leadhimtothedoor.Hehadfullyintendedtoleave.Butwhenhereachedthedoorhecametoahaltasifhehadn'texpectedtofindadoorthere,MissBürstnermadeuseofthatmomenttogetherselffree,openthedoor,slipoutintothehallwayandgentlysaytoK.fromthere,"Now,comealong,please.Look,"shepointedtothecaptain'sdoor,fromunderwhichtherewasalightshining,"he'sputalightonandhe'slaughingatus.""Alright,I'mcoming,"saidK.,movedforward,tookholdofher,kissedheronthemouthandthenoverherwholefacelikeathirstyanimallappingwithitstonguewheniteventuallyfindswater.Hefinallykissedheronherneckandherthroatandlefthislipspressedthereforalongtime.Hedidnotlookupuntiltherewasanoisefromthecaptain'sroom."I'llgonow,"hesaid,hewantedtoaddressMissBürstnerbyherChristianname,butdidnotknowit.Shegavehimatirednod,offeredhimherhandtokissassheturnedawayasifshedidnotknowwhatshewasdoing,andwentbackintoherroomwithherheadbowed.Ashortwhilelater,K.waslyinginhisbed.Heverysoonwenttosleep,butbeforehedidhethoughtalittlewhileabouthisbehaviour,hewassatisfiedwithitbutfeltsomesurprisethathewasnotmoresatisfied;hewasseriouslyworriedaboutMissBürstnerbecauseofthecaptain.ChapterTwoFirstCross-examination

K.wasinformedbytelephonethattherewouldbeasmallhearingconcerninghiscasethefollowingSunday.Hewasmadeawarethatthesecrossexaminationswouldfollowoneanotherregularly,perhapsnoteveryweekbutquitefrequently.Ont

heonehanditwasineveryone'sinteresttobringproceedingsquicklytotheirconclusion,butontheotherhandeveryaspectoftheexaminationshadtobecarriedoutthoroughlywithoutlastingtoolongbecauseoftheassociatedstress.Forthesereasons,ithadbeendecidedtoholdaseriesofbriefexaminationsfollowingononeafteranother.SundayhadbeenchosenasthedayforthehearingssothatK.wouldnotbedisturbedinhisprofessionalwork.Itwasassumedthathewouldbeinagreementwiththis,butifhewishedforanotherdatethen,asfaraspossible,hewouldbeaccommodated.Cross-examinationscouldevenbeheldinthenight,forinstance,butK.wouldprobablynotbefreshenoughatthattime.Anyway,aslongasK.madenoobjection,thehearingwouldbeleftonSundays.Itwasamatterofcoursethathewouldhavetoappearwithoutfail,therewasprobablynoneedtopointthisouttohim.Hewouldbegiventhenumberofthebuildingwherehewastopresenthimself,whichwasinastreetinasuburbwel

lawayfromthecitycentrewhichK.hadneverbeentobefore.

Oncehehadreceivedthisnotice,K.hungupthereceiverwithoutgivingananswer;hehaddecidedimmediatelytogotherethatSunday,itwascertainlynecessary,proceedingshadbegunandhehadtofaceuptoit,andthisfirstexaminationwouldprobablyalsobethelast.Hewasstillstandinginthoughtbythetelephonewhenheheardthevoiceofthedeputydirectorbehindhim-hewantedtousethetelephonebutK.stoodinhisway."Badnews?"askedthedeputydirectorcasually,notinordertofindanythingoutbutjusttogetK.awayfromthedevice."No,no,"saidK.,hesteppedtoonesidebutdidnotgoawayentirely.Thedeputydirectorpickedupthereceiverand,ashewaitedforhisconnection,turnedawayfromitandsaidtoK.,"Onequestion,Mr.K.:WouldyouliketogivemethepleasureofjoiningmeonmysailingboatonSundaymorning?There'squite

afewpeoplecoming,you'reboundtoknowsomeofthem.OneofthemisHasterer,thestateattorney.Wouldyouliketocomealong?Docomealong!"K.triedtopayattentiontowhatthedeputydirectorwassaying.Itwasofnosmallimportanceforhim,asthisinvitationfromthedeputydirector,withwhomhehadnevergotonverywell,meantthathewastryingtoimprovehisrelationswithhim.ItshowedhowimportantK.hadbecomeinthebankandhowitssecondmostimportantofficialseemedtovaluehisfriendship,oratleasthisimpartiality.Hewasonlyspeakingatthesideofthetelephonereceiverwhilehewaitedforhisconnection,butingivingthisinvitationthedeputydirectorwashumblinghimself.ButK.wouldhavetohumiliatehimasecondtimeasaresult,hesaid,"Thanky



ouverymuch,butI'mafraidIwillhavenotimeonSunday,Ihaveapreviousobligation.""Pity,"saidthedeputydirector,andturnedtothetelephoneconversationthathadjustbeenconnected.Itwasnotashortconversation,butK.,remainedstandingconfusedbytheinstrumentallthetimeitwasgoingon.Itwasonlywhenthedeputydirectorhungupthathewasshockedintoawarenessandsaid,inordertopartiallyexcusehisstandingtherefornoreason,"I'vejustreceivedatelephonecall,there'ssomewhereIneedtogo,buttheyforgottotellmewhattime.""Askthemthen,"saidthedeputydirector."It'snotthatimportant,"saidK.,althoughinthatwayhisearlierexcuse,alreadyweakenough,wasmadeevenweaker.Ashewent,thedeputydirectorcontinuedtospeakaboutotherthings.K.forcedhimselftoanswer,buthisthoughtsweremainlyaboutthatSunday,howitwouldbebesttogettherefornineo'clockinthemorningasthatwasthetimethatcourtsalwaysstartworkonweekdays.

TheweatherwasdullonSunday.K.wasverytired,ashehadstayedoutdrinkinguntillateinthenightcelebratingwithsomeoftheregulars,andhehadalmostoverslept.Hedressedhurriedly,withoutthetimetothinkandassemblethevariousplanshehadworkedoutduringtheweek.Withnobreakfast,herushedtothesuburbhehadbeentoldabout.Oddlyenough,althoughhehadlittletimetolookaroundhim,hecameacrossthethreebankofficialsinvolvedinhiscase,Rabensteiner,KullichandKaminer.ThefirsttwoweretravellinginatramthatwentacrossK.'sroute,butKaminersatontheterraceofacaféandleantcuriouslyoverthewallasK.cameover.Allofthemseemedtobelookingathim,surprisedatseeingtheirsuperiorrunning;itwasakindofpridethatmadeK.wantto

goonfoot,thiswashisaffairandtheideaofanyhelpfromstrangers,howeverslight,wasrepulsivetohim,healsowantedtoavoidaskingforanyone'shelpbecausethatwouldinitiatethemintotheaffairevenifonlyslightly.Andafterall,hehadnowishatalltohumiliatehimselfbeforethecommitteebybeingtoopunctual.Anyway,nowhewasrunningsothathewouldgettherebynineo'clockifatallpossible,eventhoughhehadnoappointmentforthistime.

Hehadthoughtthathewouldrecognisethebuildingfromadistancebysomekindofsign,withoutknowingexactlywhatthesignwouldlooklike,orfromsomeparticularkindofactivityoutsidetheentrance.K.hadbeentoldthatthebuildingwasinJuliusstrasse,butwhenhestoodatthestreet'sentranceitconsistedoneachsideofalmostnothingbutmonotonous,greyconstructions,tallblocksofflatsoccupiedbypoorpeople.Now,onaSundaymorning,mostofthewindows

wereoccupied,menintheirshirtsleevesleantoutsmoking,orcarefullyandgentlyheldsmallchildrenonthesills.Otherwindowswerepiledupwithbedding,abovewhichthedishevelledheadofawomanwouldbrieflyappear.Peoplecalledouttoeachotheracrossthestreet,oneofthecallsprovokedaloudlaughaboutK.himself.Itwasalongstreet,andspacedevenlyalongitweresmallshopsbelowstreetlevel,sellingvariouskindsoffoodstuffs,whichyoureachedbygoingdownafewsteps.Womenwentinandoutofthemorstoodchattingonthesteps.Afruitmonger,takinghisgoodsuptothewindows,wasjustasinattentiveasK.andnearlyknockedhimdownwithhiscart.Justthen,agramophone,whichinbetterpartsoftownwouldhavebeenseenaswornout,begantoplaysomemurderoustune.

K.wentfurtherintothestreet,slowly,asifhehadplentyoftimenow,oras

iftheexaminingmagistratewerelookingathimfromoneofthewindowsandthereforeknewthatK.hadfoundhiswaythere.Itwasshortlyafternine.Thebuildingwasquitefardownthestreet,itcoveredsomuchareaitwasalmostextraordinary,andthegatewayinparticularwastallandlong.ItwasclearlyintendedfordeliverywagonsbelongingtothevariouswarehousesallroundtheyardwhichwerenowlockedupandcarriedthenamesofcompaniessomeofwhichK.knewfromhisworkatthebank.Incontrastwithhisusualhabits,heremainedstandingawhileattheentrancetotheyardtakinginalltheseexternaldetails.Nearhim,therewasabare-footedmansittingonacrateandreadinganewspaper.Thereweretwoladsswingingonahandcart.Infrontofapumpstoodaweak,young



girlinabedjacketwho,asthewaterflowedintohercan,lookedatK.Therewasapieceofropestretchedbetweentwowindowsinacorneroftheyard,withsomewashinghangingonittodry.Amanstoodbelowitcallingoutinstructionstodirecttheworkbeingdone.

K.wentovertothestairwaytogettotheroomwherethehearingwastotakeplace,butthenstoodstillagainasbesidesthesestepshecouldseethreeotherstairwayentrances,andtherealsoseemedtobeasmallpassagewayattheendoftheyardleadingintoasecondyard.Itirritatedhimthathehadnotbeengivenmoreprecisedirectionstotheroom,itmeanttheywereeitherbeingespeciallyneglectfulwithhimorespeciallyindifferent,andhedecidedtomakethatcleartothemveryloudlyandveryunambiguously.Intheendhedecidedtoclimbupthestairs,histhoughtsplayingonsomethingthatherememberedthepoliceman,Willem,sayingtohim;thatthecourtisattractedbytheguilt,fromwhichitfollowedthatthecourtroommustbeonthestairwaythatK.selectedbychance.

Ashewentuphedisturbedalargegroupofchildrenplayingonthestairswholookedathimashesteppedthroughtheirrows."NexttimeIcomehere,"hesaidtohimself,"Imusteitherbringsweetswithmetomakethemlikemeorasticktohitthemwith."Justbeforehereachedthefirstlandingheevenhadtowaitalittlewhileuntilaballhadfinisheditsmovement,twosmallladswithslyfaceslikegrown-upscoundrelsheldhimbyhistrouser-legsuntilithad;ifheweretoshakethemoffhewouldhavetohurtthem,andhewasafraidofwhatnoisetheywouldmakebyshouting.

Onthefirstfloor,hissearchbeganforreal.Hestillfeltunabletoaskfortheinvestigatingcommittee,andsoheinventedajoinercalledLanz-thatnameoccurredtohimbecausethecaptain,Mrs.Grubach'snephew,wascalledLanz-sothathecouldaskateveryflatwhetherLanzthejoinerlivedthereandthusobtainachancetolookintotherooms.Itturnedout,though,thatthatwasmostlypossiblewithoutfurtherado,asalmostallthedoorswereleftopenandthechildrenraninandout.Mostofthemweresmall,one-windowedroomswheretheyalsodidthecooking.Manywomenheldbabiesinonearmandworkedatthestovewiththeother.Halfgrowngirls,whoseemedtobedressedinjusttheirpinaforesworkedhardestrunningtoandfro.Ineveryroom,thebedswerestillinusebypeoplewhowereill,orstillasleep,orpeoplestretchedoutonthemintheirclothes.K.knockedattheflatswherethedoorswereclosedandaskedwhether

Lanzthejoinerlivedthere.Itwasusuallyawomanwhoopenedthedoor,heardtheenquiryandturnedtosomebodyintheroomwhowouldraisehimselffromthebed."Thegentleman'saskingifajoinercalledLanz,liveshere.""Ajoiner,calledLanz?"hewouldaskfromthebed.""That'sright,"K.wouldsay,althoughitwasclearthattheinvestigatingcommitteewasnottobefoundthere,andsohistaskwasatanend.ThereweremanywhothoughtitmustbeveryimportantforK.tofindLanzthejoinerandthoughtlongaboutit,namingajoinerwhowasnotcalledLanzorgivinganamethathadsomevaguesimilaritywithLanz,ortheyaskedneighboursoraccompaniedK.toadooralongwayawaywheretheythoughtsomeoneofthatsortmightliveinthebackpartofthebuildingorwheresomeonewouldbewhocouldadviseK.betterthantheycouldthemselves.K.eventuallyhadtogiveupaskingifhedidnotwanttobeledallroundfromfloortofloorinthisway.Heregrettedhisinitialplan,whichhadatfirstseemedsopract

icaltohim.Ashereachedthefifthfloor,hedecidedtogiveupthesearch,tookhisleaveofafriendly,youngworkerwhowantedtoleadhimonstillfurtherandwentdownthestairs.Butthenthethoughtofhowmuchtimehewaswastingmadehimcross,hewentbackagainandknockedatthefirstdooronthefifthfloor.Thefirstthinghesawinthesmallroomwasalargeclockonthewallwhichalreadyshowedteno'clock."IsthereajoinercalledLanzwholiveshere?"heasked."Pardon?"saidayoungwomanwithblack,shiningeyeswhowas,atthatmoment,washingchildren'sunderclothesinabucket.Shepointedherwethandtowardstheopendooroftheadjoiningroom.



K.thoughthehadsteppedintoameeting.Amediumsized,twowindowedroomwasfilledwiththemostdiversecrowdofpeople-nobodypaidanyattentiontothepersonwhohadjustentered.Closeunderitsceilingitwassurroundedbyagallerywhichwasalsofullyoccupiedandwherethepeoplecouldonlystandbentdownwiththeirheadsandtheirbackstouchingtheceiling.K.,whofoundtheairtoostuffy,steppedoutagainandsaidtotheyoungwoman,whohadprobablymisunderstoodwhathehadsaid,"Iaskedforajoiner,someonebythenameofLanz.""Yes,"saidthewoman,"pleasegoonin."K.wouldprobablynothavefollowedherifthewomanhadnotgoneuptohim,takenholdofthedoorhandleandsaid,"I'llhavetoclosethedoorafteryou,no-oneelsewillbeallowedin.""Verysensible,"saidK.,"butit'stoofullalready."Butthenhewentbackinanyway.Hepassedthroughbetweentwomenwhoweretalkingbesidethedoor-oneofthemheldbothhandsfaroutinfrontofhimselfmakingthemovementsofcountingoutmoney,theotherlookedhimcloselyintheeyes-andsomeonetookhimbythehand.Itwasasmall,red-facedyouth."Comein,comein,"hesaid.K.lethimselfbeledbyhim,anditturnedoutthattherewas-surprisinglyinadenselypackedcrowdofpeoplemovingtoandfro-anarrowpassagewhichmayhavebeenthedivisionbetweentwofactions;thisideawasreinforcedbythefactthatinthefirstfewrowstotheleftandtherightofhimtherewashardlyanyfacelookinginhisdirection,hesawnothingbutthebacksofpeopledirectingtheirspeechandtheirmovementsonlytowardsmembersoftheirownside.Mostofthemweredressedinblack,inold,long,formalfrockcoatsthathungdownlooselyaroundthem.TheseclothesweretheonlythingthatpuzzledK.,ashewouldotherwisehavetakenthewholeassemblyforalocalpoliticalmeeting.

AttheotherendofthehallwhereK.hadbeenledtherewasalittletablesetatanangleonaverylowpodiumwhichwasasovercrowdedaseverywhereelse,andbehindthetable,neartheedgeofthepodium,satasmall,fat,wheezingmanwhowastalkingwithsomeonebehindhim.Thissecondmanwasstandingwithhislegscrossedandhiselbowsonthebackrestofthechair,provokingmuchlaughter.Fromtimetotimehethrewhisarmintheairasifdoingacaricatureofsomeone.TheyouthwhowasleadingK.hadsomedifficultyinreportingtotheman.Hehadalreadytriedtwicetotellhimsomething,standingontip-toe,butwithoutgettingtheman'sattentionashesatthereabovehim.Itwasonlywhenoneofthepeopleuponthepodiumdrewhisattentiontotheyouththatthemanturnedtohimandleantdowntohearwhatitwashequietlysaid.ThenhepulledouthiswatchandquicklylookedoveratK."Youshouldhavebeenhereonehourand

fiveminutesago,"hesaid.K.wasgoingtogivehimareplybuthadnotimetodoso,ashardlyhadthemanspokenthanageneralmutteringaroseallovertherighthandsideofthehall."Youshouldhavebeenhereonehourandfiveminutesago,"themannowrepeated,raisinghisvoicethistime,andquicklylookedroundthehallbeneathhim.Themutteringalsobecameimmediatelylouderand,asthemansaidnothingmore,diedawayonlygradually.NowthehallwasmuchquieterthanwhenK.hadentered.Onlythepeopleupinthegalleryhadnotstoppedpassingremarks.Asfarascouldbedistinguished,upinthehalf-darkness,dustandhaze,theyseemedtobelesswelldressedthanthosebelow.Manyofthemhadbroughtpillowsthattheyhadputbetweentheirheadsandtheceilingsothattheywouldnothurtthemselvespressedagainstit.

K.haddecidedhewoulddomorewatchingthantalking,sohedidnotdefendhims

elfforsupposedlyhavingcomelate,andsimplysaid,"WellmaybeIhavearrivedlate,I'mherenow."Therefollowedloudapplause,oncemorefromtherighthandsideofthehall.Easypeopletogetonyourside,thoughtK.,andwasbotheredonlybythequietfromthelefthandsidewhichwasdirectlybehindhimandfromwhichtherewasapplausefromonlyafewindividuals.Hewonderedwhathecouldsaytogetallofthemtosupporthimtogetheror,ifthatwerenotpossible,toatleastgetthesupportoftheothersforawhile.

"Yes,"saidtheman,"butI'mnownolongerunderanyobligationtohearyourcase"-therewasoncemoreamuttering,butthistimeitwasmisleadingasthema



nwavedthepeople'sobjectionsasidewithhishandandcontinued-"Iwill,however,asanexception,continuewithittoday.Butyoushouldneverarrivelatelikethisagain.Andnow,stepforward!"SomeonejumpeddownfromthepodiumsothattherewouldbeaplacefreeforK.,andK.steppedupontoit.Hestoodpressedcloselyagainstthetable,thepressofthecrowdbehindhimwassogreatthathehadtopressbackagainstitifhedidnotwanttopushthejudge'sdeskdownoffthepodiumandperhapsthejudgealongwithit.

Thejudge,however,paidnoattentiontothatbutsatverycomfortablyonhischairand,aftersayingafewwordstoclosehisdiscussionwiththemanbehindhim,reachedforalittlenotebook,theonlyitemonhisdesk.Itwaslikeanoldschoolexercisebookandhadbecomequitemisshapenfrommuchthumbing."Nowthen,"saidthejudge,thumbingthroughthebook.HeturnedtoK.withthetoneofsomeonewhoknowshisfactsandsaid,"youareahousepainter?""No,"saidK.,"Iamthechiefclerkinalargebank."Thisreplywasfollowedbylaughteramongtherighthandfactiondowninthehall,itwassoheartythatK.couldn'tstophimselfjoininginwithit.Thepeoplesupportedthemselveswiththeirhandsontheirkneesandshookasifsufferingaseriousattackofcoughing.Evensomeofthoseinthegallerywerelaughing.Thejudgehadbecomequitecrossbutseemedtohavenopoweroverthosebelowhiminthehall,hetriedtoreducewhatharmhadbeendoneinthegalleryandjumpedupthreateningthem,hiseyebrows,untilthenhardlyremarkable,pushedthemselvesupandbecamebig,blackandbushyoverhiseyes.

Thelefthandsideofthehallwasstillquiet,though,thepeoplestoodthereinrowswiththeirfaceslookingtowardsthepodiumlisteningtowhatwasbeingsaidthere,theyobservedthenoisefromtheothersideofthehallwiththesamequietnessandevenallowedsomeindividualsfromtheirownranks,hereandthere,togoforwardintotheotherfaction.Thepeopleintheleftfactionwerenotonlyfewerinnumberthantherightbutprobablywerenomoreimportantthanthem,althoughtheirbehaviourwascalmerandthatmadeitseemliketheywere.WhenK.nowbegantospeakhewasconvincedhewasdoingitinthesamewayasthem.

"Yourquestion,MyLord,astowhetherIamahousepainter-infactevenmorethanthat,youdidnotaskatallbutmerelyimposeditonme-issymptomaticofthewholewaytheseproceedingsagainstmearebeingcarriedout.Perhapsyou

willobjectthattherearenoproceedingsagainstme.Youwillbequiteright,asthereareproceedingsonlyifIacknowledgethatthereare.But,forthemoment,Idoacknowledgeit,outofpityforyourselvestoalargeextent.It'simpossiblenottoobserveallthisbusinesswithoutfeelingpity.Idon'tsaythingsarebeingdonewithoutduecarebutIwouldliketomakeitclearthatitisIwhomaketheacknowledgement."

K.stoppedspeakingandlookeddownintothehall.Hehadspokensharply,moresharplythanhehadintended,buthehadbeenquiteright.Itshouldhavebeenrewardedwithsomeapplausehereandtherebuteverythingwasquiet,theywereallclearlywaitingforwhatwouldfollow,perhapsthequietnesswaslayingthegroundforanoutbreakofactivitythatwouldbringthiswholeaffairtoanend.Itwassomewhatdisturbingthatjustthenthedoorattheendofthehallopened,

theyoungwasherwoman,whoseemedtohavefinishedherwork,cameinand,despiteallhercaution,attractedtheattentionofsomeofthepeoplethere.ItwasonlythejudgewhogaveK.anydirectpleasure,asheseemedtohavebeenimmediatelystruckbyK.'swords.Untilthen,hehadlistenedtohimstanding,asK.'sspeechhadtakenhimbysurprisewhilehewasdirectinghisattentiontothegallery.Now,inthepause,hesatdownveryslowly,asifhedidnotwantanyonetonotice.Hetookoutthenotebookagain,probablysothathecouldgivetheimpressionofbeingcalmer.

"Thatwon'thelpyou,sir,"continuedK.,"evenyourlittlebookwillonlyconfi



rmwhatIsay."K.wassatisfiedtohearnothingbuthisownquietwordsinthisroomfullofstrangers,andheevendaredcasuallytopickuptheexaminingjudge'snotebookand,touchingitonlywiththetipsofhisfingersasifitweresomethingrevolting,lifteditintheair,holdingitjustbyoneofthemiddlepagessothattheothersoneachsideofit,closelywritten,blottedandyellowing,flappeddown."Thosearetheofficialnotesoftheexaminingjudge,"hesaid,andletthenotebookfalldownontothedesk."Youcanreadinyourbookasmuchasyoulike,sir,Ireallydon'thaveanythinginthischargebooktobeafraidof,eventhoughIdon'thaveaccesstoitasIwouldn'twantitinmyhand,Icanonlytouchitwithtwofingers."Thejudgegrabbedthenotebookfromwhereithadfallenonthedesk-whichcouldonlyhavebeenasignofhisdeephumiliation,oratleastthatishowitmusthavebeenperceived-triedtotidyitupalittle,andhelditoncemoreinfrontofhimselfinordertoreadfromit.

Thepeopleinthefrontrowlookedupathim,showingsuchtensionontheirfacesthathelookedbackdownatthemforsometime.Everyoneofthemwasanoldman,someofthemwithwhitebeards.Couldtheyperhapsbethecrucialgroupwhocouldturnthewholeassemblyonewayortheother?TheyhadsunkintoastateofmotionlessnesswhileK.gavehisoration,andithadnotbeenpossibletoraisethemfromthispassivityevenwhenthejudgewasbeinghumiliated."Whathashappenedtome,"continuedK.,withlessofthevigourhehadhadearlier,hecontinuallyscannedthefacesinthefirstrow,andthisgavehisaddressasomewhatnervousanddistractedcharacter,"whathashappenedtomeisnotjustanisolatedcase.Ifitwereitwouldnotbeofmuchimportanceasit'snotofmuchimp

ortancetome,butitisasymptomofproceedingswhicharecarriedoutagainstmany.It'sonbehalfofthemthatIstandherenow,notformyselfalone."

Withouthavingintendedit,hehadraisedhisvoice.Somewhereinthehall,someoneraisedhishandsandapplaudedhimshouting,"Bravo!Whynotthen?Bravo!AgainIsay,Bravo!"Someofthemeninthefirstrowgropedaroundintheirbeards,noneofthemlookedroundtoseewhowasshouting.NotevenK.thoughthimofanyimportancebutitdidraisehisspirits;henolongerthoughtitatallnecessarythatallofthoseinthehallshouldapplaudhim,itwasenoughifthemajorityofthembegantothinkaboutthematterandifonlyoneofthem,nowandthen,waspersuaded.

"I'mnottryingtobeasuccessfulorator,"saidK.afterthisthought,"that's

probablymorethanI'mcapableofanyway.I'msuretheexaminingjudgecanspeakfarbetterthanIcan,itispartofhisjobafterall.AllthatIwantisapublicdiscussionofapublicwrong.Listen:tendaysagoIwasplacedunderarrest,thearrestitselfissomethingIlaughaboutbutthat'sbesidethepoint.TheycameformeinthemorningwhenIwasstillinbed.Maybetheorderhadbeengiventoarrestsomehousepainter-thatseemspossibleafterwhatthejudgehassaid-someonewhoisasinnocentasIam,butitwasmetheychose.Thereweretwopolicethugsoccupyingthenextroom.TheycouldnothavetakenbetterprecautionsifIhadbeenadangerousrobber.Andthesepolicemenwereunprincipledriff-raff,theytalkedatmetillIwassickofit,theywantedbribes,theywantedtotrickmeintogivingthemmyclothes,theywantedmoney,supposedlysothattheycouldbringmemybreakfastaftertheyhadblatantlyeatenmyownbreakfastinfrontofmyeyes.Andeventhatwasnotenough.Iwasledinfrontofthe

supervisorinanotherroom.ThiswastheroomofaladywhoIhavealotofrespectfor,andIwasforcedtolookonwhilethesupervisorandthepolicemenmadequiteamessofthisroombecauseofme,althoughnotthroughanyfaultofmine.Itwasnoteasytostaycalm,butImanagedtodosoandwascompletelycalmwhenIaskedthesupervisorwhyitwasthatIwasunderarrest.IfhewereherehewouldhavetoconfirmwhatIsay.Icanseehimnow,sittingonthechairbelongingtothatladyImentioned-apictureofdull-wittedarrogance.Whatdoyouthinkheanswered?Whathetoldme,gentlemen,wasbasicallynothingatall;perhapshereallydidknownothing,hehadplacedmeunderarrestandwassatisfied.Infacthehaddonemorethanthatandbroughtthreejunioremployeesfromt



hebankwhereIworkintothelady'sroom;theyhadmadethemselvesbusyinterferingwithsomephotographsthatbelongedtotheladyandcausingamess.Therewas,ofcourse,anotherreasonforbringingtheseemployees;they,justlikemylandladyandhermaid,wereexpectedtospreadthenewsofmyarrestanddamagemypublicreputationandinparticulartoremovemefrommypositionatthebank.Welltheydidn'tsucceedinanyofthat,notintheslightest,evenmylandlady,whoisquiteasimpleperson-andIwillgiveyouherehernameinfullrespect,hernameisMrs.Grubach-evenMrs.Grubachwasunderstandingenoughtoseethatanarrestlikethishasnomoresignificancethananattackcarriedoutonthestreetbysomeyouthswhoarenotkeptunderpropercontrol.Irepeat,thiswholeaffairhascausedmenothingbutunpleasantnessandtemporaryirritation,butcoulditnotalsohavehadsomefarworseconsequences?"

K.brokeoffhereandlookedatthejudge,whosaidnothing.Ashedidsohethoughthesawthejudgeuseamovementofhiseyestogiveasigntosomeoneinthecrowd.K.smiledandsaid,"Andnowthejudge,rightnexttome,isgivingasecretsigntosomeoneamongyou.Thereseemstobesomeoneamongyouwhoistakingdirectionsfromabove.Idon'tknowwhetherthesignismeanttoproducebooingorapplause,butI'llresisttryingtoguesswhatitsmeaningistoosoon.Itreallydoesn'tmattertome,andIgivehislordshipthejudgemyfullandpublicpermissiontostopgivingsecretsignstohispaidsubordinatedownthereandgivehisordersinwordsinstead;lethimjustsay"Boonow!,"andthenthenexttime"Clapnow!".

Whetheritwasembarrassmentorimpatience,thejudgerockedbackwardsandforwardsonhisseat.Themanbehindhim,whomhehadbeentalkingwithearlier,leantforwardagain,eithertogivehimafewgeneralwordsofencouragementorsomespecificpieceofadvice.Belowtheminthehallthepeopletalkedtoeachotherquietlybutanimatedly.Thetwofactionshadearlierseemedtoholdviewsstronglyopposedtoeachotherbutnowtheybegantointermingle,afewindividualspointedupatK.,otherspointedatthejudge.Theairintheroomwasfuggyandextremelyoppressive,thosewhowerestandingfurthestawaycouldhardlyevenbeseenthroughit.Itmusthavebeenespeciallytroublesomeforthosevisitorswhowereinthegallery,astheywereforcedtoquietlyasktheparticipantsintheassemblywhatexactlywashappening,albeitwithtimidglancesatthejudge.Therepliestheyreceivedwerejustasquiet,andgivenbehindtheprotectionofaraisedhand.

"IhavenearlyfinishedwhatIhavetosay,"saidK.,andastherewasnobellavailablehestruckthedeskwithhisfistinawaythatstartledthejudgeandhisadvisorandmadethemlookupfromeachother."Noneofthisconcernsme,andIamthereforeabletomakeacalmassessmentofit,and,assumingthatthisso-calledcourtisofanyrealimportance,itwillbeverymuchtoyouradvantagetolistentowhatIhavetosay.IfyouwanttodiscusswhatIsay,pleasedon'tbothertowriteitdownuntillateron,Idon'thaveanytimetowasteandI'llsoonbeleaving."

Therewasimmediatesilence,whichshowedhowwellK.wasincontrolofthecrowd.Therewerenoshoutsamongthemastherehadbeenatthestart,no-oneevenapplauded,butiftheyweren'talreadypersuadedtheyseemedveryclosetoit.

Kwaspleasedatthetensionamongallthepeoplethereastheylistenedtohim,arustlingrosefromthesilencewhichwasmoreinvigoratingthanthemostecstaticapplausecouldhavebeen."Thereisnodoubt,"hesaidquietly,"thatthereissomeenormousorganisationdeterminingwhatissaidbythiscourt.Inmycasethisincludesmyarrestandtheexaminationtakingplaceheretoday,anorganisationthatemployspolicemenwhocanbebribed,oafishsupervisorsandjudgesofwhomnothingbettercanbesaidthanthattheyarenotasarrogantassomeothers.Thisorganisationevenmaintainsahigh-leveljudiciaryalongwithitstrainofcountlessservants,scribes,policemenandalltheotherassistancethatit



needs,perhapsevenexecutionersandtorturers-I'mnotafraidofusingthosewords.Andwhat,gentlemen,isthepurposeofthisenormousorganisation?Itspurposeistoarrestinnocentpeopleandwagepointlessprosecutionsagainstthemwhich,asinmycase,leadtonoresult.Howarewetoavoidthoseinofficebecomingdeeplycorruptwheneverythingisdevoidofmeaning?Thatisimpossible,noteventhehighestjudgewouldbeabletoachievethatforhimself.Thatiswhypolicementrytostealtheclothesoffthebackofthosetheyarrest,thatiswhysupervisorsbreakintothehomesofpeopletheydonotknow,thatiswhyinnocentpeoplearehumiliatedinfrontofcrowdsratherthanbeinggivenapropertrial.Thepolicemenonlytalkedaboutthewarehouseswheretheyputthepropertyofthosetheyarrest,Iwouldliketoseethesewarehouseswherethehardwonpossessionsofpeopleunderarrestislefttodecay,if,thatis,it'snotstolenbythethievinghandsofthewarehouseworkers."

K.wasinterruptedbyascreechingfromthefarendofthehall,heshadedhiseyestoseethatfar,asthedulllightofdaymadethesmokewhitishandhardtoseethrough.ItwasthewasherwomanwhomK.hadrecognisedasalikelysourceofdisturbanceassoonasshehadentered.Itwashardtoseenowwhetheritwasherfaultornot.K.couldonlyseethatamanhadpulledherintoacornerbythedoorandwaspressinghimselfagainsther.Butitwasnotherwhowasscreaming,buttheman,hehadopenedhismouthwideandlookedupattheceiling.Asmallcirclehadformedaroundthetwoofthem,thevisitorsnearhiminthegalleryseemeddelightedthattheserioustoneK.hadintroducedintothegatheringhadbeendisturbedinthisway.K.'sfirstthoughtwastorunoverthere,andhe

alsothoughtthateveryonewouldwanttobringthingsbackintoorderthereoratleasttomakethepairleavetheroom,butthefirstrowofpeopleinfrontofhimstayedweretheywere,no-onemovedandno-oneletK.through.Onthecontrary,theystoodinhisway,oldmenheldouttheirarmsinfrontofhimandahandfromsomewhere-hedidnothavethetimetoturnround-tookholdofhiscollar.K.,bythistime,hadforgottenaboutthepair,itseemedtohimthathisfreedomwasbeinglimitedasifhisarrestwasbeingtakenseriously,and,withoutanythoughtforwhathewasdoing,hejumpeddownfromthepodium.Nowhestoodfacetofacewiththecrowd.Hadhejudgedthepeopleproperly?Hadheputtoomuchfaithintheeffectofhisspeech?Hadtheybeenputtingupapretenceallthetimehehadbeenspeaking,andnowthathecometotheendandtowhatmustfollow,weretheytiredofpretending?Whatfacestheywere,allaroundhim!Dark,littleeyesflickeredhereandthere,cheeksdroopeddownlikeondrunkenm

en,theirlongbeardswerethinandstiff,iftheytookholdofthemitwasmoreliketheyweremakingtheirhandsintoclaws,notasiftheyweretakingholdoftheirownbeards.Butunderneaththosebeards-andthiswastherealdiscoverymadebyK.-therewerebadgesofvarioussizesandcoloursshiningonthecollarsoftheircoats.Asfarashecouldsee,everyoneofthemwaswearingoneofthesebadges.Allofthembelongedtothesamegroup,eventhoughtheyseemedtobedividedtotherightandtheleftofhim,andwhenhesuddenlyturnedroundhesawthesamebadgeonthecollaroftheexaminingjudgewhocalmlylookeddownathimwithhishandsinhislap."So,"calledoutK,throwinghisarmsintheairasifthissuddenrealisationneededmoreroom,"allofyouareworkingforthisorganisation,IseenowthatyouarealltheverybunchofcheatsandliarsI'vejustbeenspeakingabout,you'veallpressedyourselvesinhereinordertolisteninandsnooponme,yougavetheimpressionofhavingformedintofa

ctions,oneofyouevenapplaudedmetotestmeout,andyouwantedtolearnhowtotrapaninnocentman!Well,Ihopeyouhaven'tcomeherefornothing,Ihopeyou'veeitherhadsomefunfromsomeonewhoexpectedyoutodefendhisinnocenceorelse-letgoofmeorI'llhityou,"shoutedK.toaquiveryoldmanwhohadpressedhimselfespeciallyclosetohim-"orelsethatyou'veactuallylearnedsomething.AndsoIwishyougoodluckinyourtrade."Hebrisklytookhishatfromwhereitlayontheedgeofthetableand,surroundedbyasilencecausedperhapsbythecompletenessoftheirsurprise,pushedhiswaytotheexit.However,theexaminingjudgeseemstohavemovedevenmorequicklythanK.,ashewaswaitingforhimatthedoorway."Onemoment,"hesaid.K.stoodwherehewas,



butlookedatthedoorwithhishandalreadyonitshandleratherthanatthejudge."Imerelywantedtodrawyourattention,"saidthejudge,"tosomethingyouseemnotyettobeawareof:today,youhaverobbedyourselfoftheadvantagesthatahearingofthissortalwaysgivestosomeonewhoisunderarrest."K.laughedtowardsthedoor."Youbunchoflouts,"hecalled,"youcankeepallyourhearingsasapresentfromme,"thenopenedthedoorandhurrieddownthesteps.Behindhim,thenoiseoftheassemblyroseasitbecamelivelyoncemoreandprobablybegantodiscusstheseeventsasifmakingascientificstudyofthem.ChapterThreeIntheemptyCourtroom-TheStudent-TheOffices

Everydayoverthefollowingweek,K.expectedanothersummonstoarrive,hecouldnotbelievethathisrejectionofanymorehearingshadbeentakenliterally,andwhentheexpectedsummonsreallyhadnotcomebySaturdayeveninghetookittomeanthathewasexpected,withoutbeingtold,toappearatthesameplaceatthesametime.SoonSunday,hesetoutoncemoreinthesamedirection,goingwithouthesitationupthestepsandthroughthecorridors;someofthepeoplerememberedhimandgreetedhimfromtheirdoorways,buthenolongerneededtoaskanyonethewayandsoonarrivedattherightdoor.Itwasopenedassoonasheknockedand,payingnoattentiontothewomanhehadseenlasttimewhowasstandingatthedoorway,hewasabouttogostraightintotheadjoiningroomwhenshesaidtohim"There'snosessiontoday"."Whatdoyoumean;nosession?"heasked,unabletobelieveit.Butthewomanpersuadedhimbyopeningthedoortothenextroom.Itwasindeedempty,andlookedevenmoredismalemptythanithadthepreviousSunday.Onthepodiumstoodthetableexactlyasithadbeenbefor

ewithafewbookslayingonit."CanIhavealookatthosebooks?"askedK.,notbecausehewasespeciallycuriousbutsothathewouldnothavecomefornothing."No,"saidthewomanasshere-closedthedoor,"that'snotallowed.Thosebooksbelongtotheexaminingjudge.""Isee,"saidK.,andnodded,"thosebooksmustbelawbooks,andthat'showthiscourtdoesthings,notonlytotrypeoplewhoareinnocentbuteventotrythemwithoutlettingthemknowwhat'sgoingon.""Iexpectyou'reright,"saidthewoman,whohadnotunderstoodexactlywhathemeant."I'dbettergoawayagain,then,"saidK."ShouldIgiveamessagetotheexaminingjudge?"askedthewoman."Doyouknowhim,then?"askedK."OfcourseIknowhim,"saidthewoman,"myhusbandisthecourtusher."ItwasonlynowthatK.noticedthattheroom,whichbeforehadheldnothingbutawash-tub,hadbeenfittedoutasalivingroom.Thewomansawhowsurprisedhewasandsaid,"Yes,we'reallowedtolivehereaswelike,onlywehavetocleartheroomo

utwhenthecourt'sinsession.There'slotsofdisadvantagestomyhusband'sjob.""It'snotsomuchtheroomthatsurprisesme,"saidK.,lookingathercrossly,"it'syourbeingmarriedthatshocksme.""Areyouthinkingaboutwhathappenedlasttimethecourtwasinsession,whenIdisturbedwhatyouweresaying?"askedthewoman."Ofcourse,"saidK.,"it'sinthepastnowandI'venearlyforgottenaboutit,butatthetimeitmademefurious.Andnowyoutellmeyourselfthatyouareamarriedwoman.""Itwasn'tanydisadvantageforyoutohaveyourspeechinterrupted.Thewaytheytalkedaboutyouafteryou'dgonewasreallybad.""Thatcouldwellbe,"saidK.,turningaway,"butitdoesnotexcuseyou.""There'sno-oneIknowwho'dholditagainstme,"saidthewoman."Him,whoputhisarmsaroundme,he'sbeenchasingaftermeforalongtime.Imightnotbeveryattractiveformostpeople,butIamforhim.I'vegotnoprotectionfromhim,evenmyhusbandhashadtogetusedtoit;ifhewantstokeephisjobhe's

gottoputupwithitasthatman'sastudentandhe'llalmostcertainlybeverypowerfullateron.He'salwaysafterme,he'donlyjustleftwhenyouarrived.""Thatfitsinwitheverythingelse,"saidK.,"I'mnotsurprised.""Doyouwanttomakethingsabitbetterhere?"thewomanaskedslowly,watchinghimasifsheweresayingsomethingthatcouldbeasdangerousforK.asforherself."That'swhatIthoughtwhenIheardyouspeak,Ireallylikedwhatyousaid.Mindyou,Ionlyheardpartofit,ImissedthebeginningofitandattheendIwaslyingonthefloorwiththestudent-it'ssohorriblehere,"shesaidafterapause,andtookholdofK.'shand."Doyoubelieveyoureallywillbeabletomakethingsbetter?"K.smiledandtwistedhishandroundalittleinhersofthands.



"It'sreallynotmyjobtomakethingsbetterhere,asyouputit,"hesaid,"andifyousaidthattotheexaminingjudgehewouldlaughatyouorpunishyouforit.IreallywouldnothavebecomeinvolvedinthismatterifIcouldhavehelpedit,andIwouldhavelostnosleepworryingabouthowthiscourtneedstobemadebetter.ButbecauseI'mtoldthatIhavebeenarrested-andIamunderarrest-itforcesmetotakesomeaction,andtodosoformyownsake.However,ifIcanbeofsomeservicetoyouintheprocessIwill,ofcourse,begladtodoso.AndIwillbegladtodosonotonlyforthesakeofcharitybutalsobecauseyoucanbeofsomehelptome.""HowcouldIhelpyou,then?"saidthewoman."Youcould,forexample,showmethebooksonthetablethere.""Yes,certainly,"thewomancried,andpulledK.alongbehindherassherushedtothem.Thebookswereoldandwellworn,thecoverofoneofthemhadnearlybrokenthroughinitsmiddle,anditwasheldtogetherwithafewthreads."Everythingissodirtyhere,"saidK.,shakinghishead,andbeforehecouldpickthebooksupthewomanwipedsomeofthedustoffwithherapron.K.tookholdofthebookthatlayontopandthrewitopen,anindecentpictureappeared.Amanandawomansatnakedonasofa,thebaseintentofwhoeverdrewitwaseasytoseebuthehadbeensogrosslylackinginskillthatallthatanyonecouldreallymakeoutwerethemanandthewomanwhodominatedthepicturewiththeirbodies,sittinginoverlyuprightposturesthatcreatedafalseperspectiveandmadeitdifficultforthemtoapproacheachother.K.didn'tthumbthroughthatbookanymore,butjustthrewopenthenextoneatitstitlepage,itwasanovelwiththetitle,WhatGreteSufferedfromherHusband,Hans."Sothisisthesortoflawbooktheystudyhere,"saidK.,"thisisthesortofpersonsittinginjudgementoverme.

""Icanhelpyou,"saidthewoman,"wouldyoulikemeto?""Couldyoureallydothatwithoutplacingyourselfindanger?Youdidsayearlieronthatyourhusbandiswhollydependentonhissuperiors.""Istillwanttohelpyou,"saidthewoman,"comeoverhere,we'vegottotalkaboutit.Don'tsayanymoreaboutwhatdangerI'min,IonlyfeardangerwhereIwanttofearit.Comeoverhere."Shepointedtothepodiumandinvitedhimtositdownonthestepwithher."You'vegotlovelydarkeyes,"shesaidaftertheyhadsatdown,lookingupintoK.'sface,"peoplesayI'vegotniceeyestoo,butyoursaremuchnicer.ItwasthefirstthingInoticedwhenyoufirstcamehere.That'sevenwhyIcameinhere,intotheassemblyroom,afterwards,I'dnevernormallydothat,I'mnotreallyevenallowedto."Sothat'swhatallthisisabout,thoughtK.,she'sofferingherselftome,she'sasdegenerateaseverythingelsearoundhere,she'shadenoughofthecourtofficials,whichisunderstandableIsuppose,andsosheapproaches

anystrangerandmakescomplimentsabouthiseyes.Withthat,K.stoodupinsilenceasifhehadspokenhisthoughtsoutloudandthusexplainedhisactiontothewoman."Idon'tthinkyoucanbeofanyassistancetome,"hesaid,"tobeofanyrealassistanceyouwouldneedtobeincontactwithhighofficials.ButI'msureyouonlyknowtheloweremployees,andtherearecrowdsofthemmillingabouthere.I'msureyou'reveryfamiliarwiththemandcouldachieveagreatdealthroughthem,I'venodoubtofthat,butthemostthatcouldbedonethroughthemwouldhavenobearingatallonthefinaloutcomeofthetrial.You,ontheotherhand,wouldlosesomeofyourfriendsasaresult,andIhavenowishofthat.Carryonwiththesepeopleinthesamewayasyouhavebeen,asitdoesseemtometobesomethingyoucannotdowithout.Ihavenoregretsinsayingthisas,inreturnforyourcomplimenttome,Ialsofindyouratherattractive,especiallywhenyoulookatmeassadlyasyouarenow,althoughyoureallyhaven

oreasontodoso.YoubelongtothepeopleIhavetocombat,andyou'reverycomfortableamongthem,you'reeveninlovewiththestudent,orifyoudon'tlovehimyoudoatleastpreferhimtoyourhusband.It'seasytoseethatfromwhatyou'vebeensaying.""No!"sheshouted,remainedsittingwhereshewasandgraspedK.'shand,whichhefailedtopullawayfastenough."Youcan'tgoawaynow,youcan'tgoawaywhenyou'vemisjudgedmelikethat!Areyoureallycapableofgoingawaynow?AmIreallysoworthlessthatyouwon'tevendomethefavourofstayingalittlebitlonger?""Youmisunderstandme,"saidK.,sittingbackdown,"ifit'sreallyimportanttoyouformetostayherethenI'llbegladtodoso,Ihaveplentyoftime,Icameherethinkingtherewouldbeatrialtakingp



lace.AllImeantwithwhatIsaidjustnowwastoaskyounottodoanythingonmybehalfintheproceedingsagainstme.Buteventhatisnothingforyoutoworryaboutwhenyouconsiderthatthere'snothinghangingontheoutcomeofthistrial,andthat,whatevertheverdict,Iwilljustlaughatit.Andthat'sevenpresupposingiteverevenreachesanyconclusion,whichIverymuchdoubt.Ithinkit'smuchmorelikelythatthecourtofficialswillbetoolazy,tooforgetful,oreventofearfulevertocontinuewiththeseproceedingsandthattheywillsoonbeabandonediftheyhaven'tbeenabandonedalready.It'sevenpossiblethattheywillpretendtobecarryingonwiththetrialinthehopeofreceivingalargebribe,althoughIcantellyounowthatthatwillbequiteinvainasIpaybribestono-one.Perhapsonefavouryoucoulddomewouldbetotelltheexaminingjudge,oranyoneelsewholikestospreadimportantnews,thatIwillneverbeinducedtopayanysortofbribethroughanystratagemoftheirs-andI'msuretheyhavemanystratagemsattheirdisposal.Thereisnoprospectofthat,youcantellthemthatquiteopenly.Andwhat'smore,Iexpecttheyhavealreadynoticedthemselves,oreveniftheyhaven't,thisaffairisreallynotsoimportanttomeastheythink.Thosegentlemenwouldonlysavesomeworkforthemselves,oratleastsomeunpleasantnessforme,which,however,IamgladtoendureifIknowthateachpieceofunpleasantnessformeisablowagainstthem.AndIwillmakequitesureitisablowagainstthem.Doyouactuallyknowthejudge?""CourseIdo,"saidthewoman,"hewasthefirstoneIthoughtofwhenIofferedtohelpyou.Ididn'tknowhe'sonlyaminorofficial,butifyousaysoitmustbetrue.Mindyou,Istillthinkthereporthegivestohissuperiorsmusthavesomeinfluence.Andhewritessomanyreports.Yousaytheseofficialsare

lazy,butthey'recertainlynotalllazy,especiallythisexaminingjudge,hewriteseversuchalot.LastSunday,forinstance,thatsessionwentontilltheevening.Everyonehadgone,buttheexaminingjudge,hestayedinthehall,Ihadtobringhimalampin,allIhadwasalittlekitchenlampbuthewasverysatisfiedwithitandstartedtowritestraightaway.Meantimemyhusbandarrived,healwayshasthedayoffonSundays,wegotthefurniturebackinandgotourroomsortedoutandthenafewoftheneighbourscame,wesatandtalkedforabitbyacandle,inshort,weforgotallabouttheexaminingjudgeandwenttobed.Allofasuddeninthenight,itmusthavebeenquitelateinthenight,Iwakesup,nexttothebed,there'stheexaminingjudgeshadingthelampwithhishandsothatthere'snolightfromitfallsonmyhusband,hedidn'tneedtobeascarefulasthat,thewaymyhusbandsleepsthelightwouldn'thavewokenhimupanyway.Iwasquiteshockedandnearlyscreamed,butthejudgewasveryfriendl

y,warnedmeIshouldbecareful,hewhisperedtomehe'sbeenwritingallthistime,andnowhe'sbroughtmethelampback,andhe'llneverforgethowIlookedwhenhefoundmethereasleep.WhatImean,withallthis,Ijustwantedtotellyouhowtheexaminingjudgereallydoeswritelotsofreports,especiallyaboutyouasquestioningyouwasdefinitelyoneofthemainthingsontheagendathatSunday.Ifhewritesreportsaslongasthattheymustbeofsomeimportance.Andbesidesallthat,youcanseefromwhathappenedthattheexaminingjudgeisafterme,andit'srightnow,whenhe'sfirstbeguntonoticeme,thatIcanhavealotofinfluenceonhim.AndI'vegototherproofImeanalottohim,too.Yesterday,hesentthatstudenttome,theonehereallytrustsandwhoheworkswith,hesenthimwithapresentforme,silkstockings.HesaiditwasbecauseIclearupinthecourtroombutthat'sonlyapretence,thatjob'snomorethanwhatI'msupposedtodo,it'swhatmyhusbandgetspaidfor.Nicestockings,t

heyare,look,"-shestretchedoutherleg,drewherskirtuptoherkneeandlooked,herself,atthestocking-"theyarenicestockings,butthey'retoogoodforme,really."

ShesuddenlyinterruptedherselfandlayherhandonK.'sasifshewantedtocalmhimdown,andwhispered,"Bequiet,Bertholdiswatchingus."K.slowlylookedup.Inthedoorwaytothecourtroomstoodayoungman,hewasshort,hislegswerenotquitestraight,andhecontinuallymovedhisfingerroundinashort,thin,redbeardwithwhichhehopedtomakehimselflookdignified.K.lookedathimwithsomecuriosity,hewasthefirststudenthehadevermetoftheunfamil



iardisciplineofjurisprudence,facetofaceatleast,amanwhowouldevenmostlikelyattainhighofficeoneday.Thestudent,incontrast,seemedtotakenonoticeofK.atall,hemerelywithdrewhisfingerfromhisbeardlongenoughtobeckontothewomanandwentovertothewindow,thewomanleantovertoK.andwhispered,"Don'tbecrosswithme,pleasedon't,andpleasedon'tthinkillofmeeither,I'vegottogotohimnow,tothishorribleman,justlookathisbentlegs.ButI'llcomestraightbackandthenI'llgowithyouifyou'lltakeme,I'llgowhereveryouwant,youcandowhateveryoulikewithme,I'llbehappyifIcanbeawayfromhereforaslongaspossible,it'dbebestifIcouldgetawayfromhereforgood."ShestrokedK.'shandoncemore,jumpedupandranovertothewindow.Beforeherealisedit,K.graspedforherhandbutfailedtocatchit.Hereallywasattractedtothewoman,andevenafterthinkinghardaboutitcouldfindnogoodreasonwhyheshouldnotgiveintoherallure.Itbrieflycrossedhismindthatthewomanmeanttoentraphimonbehalfofthecourt,butthatwasanobjectionhehadnodifficultyinfendingoff.Inwhatwaycouldsheentraphim?Washenotstillfree,sofreethathecouldcrushtheentirecourtwheneverhewanted,asleastwhereitconcernedhim?Couldhenothavethatmuchconfidenceinhimself?Andherofferofhelpsoundedsincere,andmaybeitwasn'tquiteworthless.Andmaybetherewasnobetterrevengeagainsttheexaminingjudgeandhiscroniesthantotakethiswomanfromhimandhaveherforhimself.Maybethen,aftermuchhardworkwritingdishonestreportsaboutK.,thejudgewouldgotothewoman'sbedlateonenightandfinditempty.AnditwouldbeemptybecauseshebelongedtoK.,becausethiswomanatthewindow,thislush,supple,warmbodyinitssombreclothesofrough,heavymaterialbelongedtoh

im,totallytohimandtohimalone.Oncehehadsettledhisthoughtstowardsthewomaninthisway,hebegantofindthequietconversationatthewindowwastakingtoolong,herappedonthepodiumwithhisknuckles,andthenevenwithhisfist.ThestudentbrieflylookedawayfromthewomantoglanceatK.overhisshoulderbutdidallowhimselftobedisturbed,infactheevenpressedhimselfclosetothewomanandputhisarmsaroundher.Shedroppedherheaddownlowasiflisteningtohimcarefully,asshedidsohekissedherrightontheneck,hardlyeveninterruptingwhathewassaying.K.sawthisasconfirmationofthetyrannythestudentheldoverthewomanandwhichshehadalreadycomplainedabout,hestoodupandwalkedupanddowntheroom.Glancingsidewaysatthestudent,hewonderedwhatwouldbethequickestpossiblewaytogetridofhim,andsoitwasnotunwelcometohimwhenthestudent,clearlydisturbedbyK.'sto-ingandfro-ingwhichK.hadnowdevelopedintoastampingupanddown,saidtohim,

"Youdon'thavetostayhere,youknow,ifyou'regettingimpatient.Youcouldhavegoneearlier,no-onewouldhavemissedyou.Infactyoushouldhavegone,youshouldhaveleftasquicklyaspossibleassoonasIgothere."Thiscommentcouldhavecausedallpossibleragetobreakoutbetweenthem,butK.alsoboreinmindthatthiswasaprospectivecourtofficialspeakingtoadisfavoureddefendant,andhemightwellhavebeentakingprideinspeakinginthisway.K.remainedstandingquiteclosetohimandsaidwithasmile,"You'requiteright,Iamimpatient,buttheeasiestwaytosettlethisimpatiencewouldbeifyouleftus.Ontheotherhand,ifyou'vecomeheretostudy-youareastudent,Ihear-I'llbequitehappytoleavetheroomtoyouandgoawaywiththewoman.I'msureyou'llstillhavealotofstudytodobeforeyou'remadeintoajudge.It'struethatI'mstillnotallthatfamiliarwithyourbranchofjurisprudencebutItakeititinvolvesalotmorethanspeakingroughly-andIseeyouhaveno

shameindoingthatextremelywell.""Heshouldn'thavebeenallowedtomoveaboutsofreely,"saidthestudent,asifhewantedtogivethewomananexplanationforK.'sinsults,"thatwasamistake.I'vetoldtheexaminingjudgeso.Heshouldatleasthavebeendetainedinhisroombetweenhearings.Sometimesit'simpossibletounderstandwhatthejudgethinkshe'sdoing.""You'rewastingyourbreath,"saidK.,thenhereachedhishandouttowardsthewomanandsaid,"comewithme.""Sothat'sit,"saidthestudent,"ohno,you'renotgoingtogether,"andwithastrengthyouwouldnothaveexpectedfromhim,heglancedtenderlyather,liftedherupononearmand,hisbackbentundertheweight,ranwithhertothedoor.Inthiswayheshowed,unmistakeably,thathewastosomeextent



afraidofK.,buthenonethelessdaredtoprovokehimstillfurtherbystrokingandsqueezingthewoman'sarmwithhisfreehand.K.ranthefewstepsuptohim,butwhenhehadreachedhimandwasabouttotakeholdofhimand,ifnecessary,throttlehim,thewomansaid,"It'snogood,it'stheexaminingjudgewho'ssentforme,Idaren'tgowithyou,thislittlebastard…"andheresheranherhandoverthestudent'sface,"thislittlebastardwon'tletme.""Andyoudon'twanttobesetfree!"shoutedK.,layinghishandonthestudent'sshoulder,whothensnappedatitwithhisteeth."No!"shoutedthewoman,pushingK.awaywithbothhands,"no,nodon'tdothat,whatd'youthinkyou'redoing!?That'dbetheendofme.Letgoofhim,pleasejustletgoofhim.He'sonlycarryingoutthejudge'sorders,he'scarryingmetohim.""Lethimtakeyouthen,andIwanttoseenothingmoreofyou,"saidK.,enragedbyhisdisappointmentandgivingthestudentathumpinthebacksothathebrieflystumbledandthen,gladthathehadnotfallen,immediatelyjumpedupallthehigherwithhisburden.K.followedthemslowly.Herealisedthatthiswasthefirstunambiguoussetbackhehadsufferedfromthesepeople.Itwasofcoursenothingtoworryabout,heacceptedthesetbackonlybecausehewaslookingforafight.Ifhestayedathomeandcarriedonwithhisnormallifehewouldbeathousandtimessuperiortothesepeopleandcouldgetanyofthemoutofhiswayjustwithakick.Andheimaginedthemostlaughablescenepossibleasanexampleofthis,ifthiscontemptiblestudent,thisinflatedchild,thisknock-kneedredbeard,ifhewerekneelingatElsa'sbedwringinghishandsandbeggingforforgiveness.K.soenjoyedimaginingthisscenethathedecidedtotakethestudentalongtoElsawithhimifeverheshouldgettheopportunity.

K.wascurioustoseewherethewomanwouldbetakenandhehurriedovertothedoor,thestudentwasnotlikelytocarryherthroughthestreetsonhisarm.Itturnedoutthatthejourneywasfarshorter.Directlyoppositetheflattherewasanarrowflightofwoodenstepswhichprobablyleduptotheattic,theyturnedastheywentsothatitwasnotpossibletoseewheretheyended.Thestudentcarriedthewomanupthesesteps,andaftertheexertionsofrunningwithherhewassoongroaningandmovingveryslowly.ThewomanwaveddownatK.andbyraisingandloweringhershouldersshetriedtoshowthatshewasaninnocentpartyinthisabduction,althoughthegesturedidnotshowalotofregret.K.watchedherwithoutexpressionlikeastranger,hewantedtoshowneitherthathewasdisappointednorthathewouldeasilygetoverhisdisappointment.

Thetwoofthemhaddisappeared,butK.remainedstandinginthedoorway.Hehadtoacceptthatthewomanhadnotonlycheatedhimbutthatshehadalsoliedtohimwhenshesaidshewasbeingtakentotheexaminingjudge.Theexaminingjudgecertainlywouldn'tbesittingandwaitingintheattic.Thewoodenstairswouldexplainnothingtohimhoweverlonghestaredatthem.ThenK.noticedasmallpieceofpapernexttothem,wentacrosstoitandread,inachildishandunpractisedhand,"EntrancetotheCourtOffices".Werethecourtofficeshere,intheatticofthistenement,then?Ifthatwashowtheywereaccommodateditdidnotattractmuchrespect,anditwassomecomfortfortheaccusedtorealisehowlittlemoneythiscourthadatitsdisposalifithadtolocateitsofficesinaplacewherethetenantsofthebuilding,whowerethemselvesamongthepoorestofpeople,wouldthrowtheirunneededjunk.Ontheotherhand,itwaspossiblethattheofficialshadenoughmoneybutthattheysquandereditonthemselvesra

therthanuseitforthecourt'spurposes.GoingbyK.'sexperienceofthemsofar,thatevenseemedprobable,exceptthatifthecourtwereallowedtodecayinthatwayitwouldnotjusthumiliatetheaccusedbutalsogivehimmoreencouragementthanifthecourtweresimplyinastateofpoverty.K.alsonowunderstoodthatthecourtwasashamedtosummonthoseitaccusedtotheatticofthisbuildingfortheinitialhearing,andwhyitpreferredtoimposeuponthemintheirownhomes.WhatapositionitwasthatK.foundhimselfin,comparedwiththejudgesittingupintheattic!K.,atthebank,hadabigofficewithanante-room,andhadanenormouswindowthroughwhichhecouldlookdownattheactivityinthesquare.Itwastrue,though,thathehadnosecondaryincomefrombribes



hefeltverykeentogowithhim."Well,"saidtheusher,"Ithoughtyou'dbeinterestedinit.""Alrightthen,"saidK.finally,"I'llcomewithyou."And,quickerthantheusherhimself,heranupthesteps.

Attheentrancehenearlyfellover,asbehindthedoortherewasanotherstep."Theydon'tshowmuchconcernforthepublic,"hesaid."Theydon'tshowanyconcernatall,"saidtheusher,"justlookatthewaitingroomhere."Itconsistedofalongcorridorfromwhichroughlymadedoorsledouttotheseparatedepartmentsoftheattic.Therewasnodirectsourceoflightbutitwasnotentirelydarkasmanyofthedepartments,insteadofsolidwalls,hadjustwoodenbarsreachinguptotheceilingtoseparatethemfromthecorridor.Thelightmadeitswayinthroughthem,anditwasalsopossibletoseeindividualofficialsthroughthemastheysatwritingattheirdesksorstoodupatthewoodenframeworksandwatchedthepeopleonthecorridorthroughthegaps.Therewereonlyafewpeopleinthecorridor,probablybecauseitwasSunday.Theywerenotveryimpressive.Theysat,equallyspaced,ontworowsoflongwoodenbencheswhichhadbeenplacedalongbothsidesofthecorridor.Allofthemwerecarelesslydressedalthoughtheexpressionsontheirfaces,theirbearing,thestyleoftheirbeardsandmanydetailswhichwerehardtoidentifyshowedthattheybelongedtotheupperclasses.Therewerenocoathooksforthemtouse,andsotheyhadplacedtheirhatsunderthebench,eachprobablyhavingfollowedtheexampleoftheothers.WhenthosewhoweresittingnearestthedoorsawK.andtheusherofthecourttheystooduptogreetthem,andwhentheotherssawthat,theyalsothoughttheyhadtogreetthem,sothatasthetwoofthemwentbyallthepeopletheres

toodup.Noneofthemstoodproperlyupright,theirbackswerebowed,theirkneesbent,theystoodlikebeggarsonthestreet.K.waitedfortheusher,whowasfollowingjustbehindhim."Theymustallbeverydispirited,"hesaid."Yes,"saidtheusher,"theyaretheaccused,everyoneyouseeherehasbeenaccused.""Really!"saidK."They'recolleaguesofminethen."Andheturnedtothenearestone,atall,thinmanwithhairthatwasnearlygrey."Whatisityouarewaitingforhere?"askedK.,politely,butthemanwasstartledatbeingspokentounexpectedly,whichwasallthemorepitifultoseebecausethemanclearlyhadsomeexperienceoftheworldandelsewherewouldcertainlyhavebeenabletoshowhissuperiorityandwouldnothaveeasilygivenuptheadvantagehehadacquired.Here,though,hedidnotknowwhatanswertogivetosuchasimplequestionandlookedroundattheothersasiftheywereundersomeobligationtohelphim,andasifno-onecouldexpectanyanswerfromhimwithoutthishelp.Thentheus

herofthecourtsteppedforwardtohimand,inordertocalmhimdownandraisehisspirits,said,"Thegentlemanhere'sonlyaskingwhatitisyou'rewaitingfor.Youcangivehimananswer."Thevoiceoftheusherwasprobablyfamiliartohim,andhadabettereffectthanK.'s."I'm…I'mwaiting…"hebegan,andthencametoahalt.Hehadclearlychosenthisbeginningsothathecouldgiveapreciseanswertothequestion,butnowhedidn'tknowhowtocontinue.Someoftheotherswaitinghadcomecloserandstoodroundthegroup,theusherofthecourtsaidtothem,"Getouttheway,keepthegangwayfree."Theymovedbackslightly,butnotasfaraswheretheyhadbeensittingbefore.Inthemeantime,themanwhomK.hadfirstapproachedhadpulledhimselftogetherandevenansweredhimwithasmile."AmonthagoImadesomeapplicationsforevidencetobeheardinmycase,andI'mwaitingforittobesettled.""Youcertainlyseemtobegoingtoalotofeffort,"saidK."Yes,"saidtheman,"itismyaffairafterall."

"Noteveryonethinksthesamewayasyoudo,"saidK."I'vebeenindictedaswellbutIswearonmysoulthatI'veneithersubmittedevidencenordoneanythingelseofthesort.Doyoureallythinkthat'snecessary?""Idon'treallyknow,exactly,"saidtheman,oncemoretotallyunsureofhimself;heclearlythoughtK.wasjokingwithhimandthereforeprobablythoughtitbesttorepeathisearlieranswerinordertoavoidmakinganynewmistakes.WithK.lookingathimimpatiently,hejustsaid,"asfarasI'mconcerned,I'veappliedtohavethisevidenceheard.""Perhapsyoudon'tbelieveI'vebeenindicted?"askedK."Oh,please,Icertainlydo,"saidtheman,steppingslightlytooneside,buttherewasmoreanxietyinhisanswerthanbelief."Youdon'tbelievemethen?"askedK.,and



tookholdofhisarm,unconsciouslypromptedbytheman'shumbledemeanour,andasifhewantedtoforcehimtobelievehim.Buthedidnotwanttohurtthemanandhadonlytakenholdofhimverylightly.Nonetheless,themancriedoutasifK.hadgraspedhimnotwithtwofingersbutwithredhottongs.ShoutinginthisridiculouswayfinallymadeK.tiredofhim,ifhedidn'tbelievehewasindictedthensomuchthebetter;maybeheeventhoughtK.wasajudge.Andbeforeleaving,heheldhimalotharder,shovedhimbackontothebenchandwalkedon."Thesedefendantsaresosensitive,mostofthem,"saidtheusherofthecourt.Almostallofthosewhohadbeenwaitinghadnowassembledaroundthemanwho,bynow,hadstoppedshoutingandtheyseemedtobeaskinghimlotsofprecisequestionsabouttheincident.K.wasapproachedbyasecurityguard,identifiablemainlybyhissword,ofwhichthescabbardseemedtobemadeofaluminium.ThisgreatlysurprisedK.,andhereachedoutforitwithhishand.Theguardhadcomebecauseoftheshoutingandaskedwhathadbeenhappening.Theusherofthecourtsaidafewwordstotryandcalmhimdownbuttheguardexplainedthathehadtolookintoithimself,saluted,andhurriedon,walkingwithveryshortsteps,probablybecauseofgout.

K.didn'tconcernhimselflongwiththeguardorthesepeople,especiallyashesawaturningoffthecorridor,abouthalfwayalongitontherighthandside,wheretherewasnodoortostophimgoingthatway.Heaskedtheusherwhetherthatwastherightwaytogo,theushernodded,andthatisthewaythatK.went.TheusherremainedalwaysoneortwostepsbehindK,whichhefoundirritatingasinaplacelikethisitcouldgivetheimpressionthathewasbeingdrivenal

ongbysomeonewhohadarrestedhim,sohefrequentlywaitedfortheushertocatchup,buttheusheralwaysremainedbehindhim.Inordertoputanendtohisdiscomfort,K.finallysaid,"NowthatI'veseenwhatitlookslikehere,I'dliketogo.""Youhaven'tseeneverythingyet,"saidtheusheringenuously."Idon'twanttoseeeverything,"saidK.,whowasalsofeelingverytired,"Iwanttogo,whatisthewaytotheexit?""Youhaven'tgotlost,haveyou?"askedtheusherinamazement,"yougodownthiswaytothecorner,thenrightdownthecorridorstraightaheadasfarasthedoor.""Comewithme,"saidK.,"showmetheway,I'llmissit,therearesomanydifferentwayshere.""It'stheonlywaythereis,"saidtheusher,whohadnowstartedtosoundquitereproachful,"Ican'tgobackwithyouagain,I'vegottohandinmyreport,andI'vealreadylostalotoftimebecauseofyouasitis.""Comewithme!"K.repeated,nowsomewhatsharperasifhehadfinallycaughttheusheroutinalie."Don'tshoutliketh

at,"whisperedtheusher,"there'sofficesallroundushere.Ifyoudon'twanttogobackbyyourselfcomeonabitfurtherwithmeorelsewaitheretillI'vesortedoutmyreport,thenI'llbegladtogobackwithyouagain.""No,no,"saidK.,"Iwillnotwaitandyoumustcomewithmenow."K.hadstillnotlookedroundatanythingatallintheroomwherehefoundhimself,anditwasonlywhenoneofthemanywoodendoorsallaroundhimopenedthathenoticedit.Ayoungwoman,probablysummonedbytheloudnessofK.'svoice,enteredandasked,"Whatisitthegentlemanwants?"Inthedarknessbehindhertherewasalsoamanapproaching.K.lookedattheusher.Hehad,afterall,saidthatno-onewouldtakeanynoticeofK.,andnowthereweretwopeoplecoming,itonlyneededafewandeveryoneintheofficewouldbecomeawareofhimandaskingforexplanationsastowhyhewasthere.Theonlyunderstandableandacceptablethingtosaywasthathewasaccusedofsomethingandwantedtoknowthedateofhisnexthearin

g,butthiswasanexplanationhedidnotwanttogive,especiallyasitwasnottrue-hehadonlycomeoutofcuriosity.Orelse,anexplanationevenlessusable,hecouldsaythathewantedtoascertainthatthecourtwasasrevoltingontheinsideasitwasontheoutside.Anditdidseemthathehadbeenquiterightinthissupposition,hehadnowishtointrudeanydeeper,hewasdisturbedenoughbywhathehadseenalready,hewasnotintherightframeofmindjustthentofaceahighofficialsuchasmightappearfrombehindanydoor,andhewantedtogo,eitherwiththeusherofthecourtor,ifneedsbe,alone.

Buthemusthaveseemedveryoddstandingthereinsilence,andtheyoungwoman



andtheusherwereindeedlookingathimasiftheythoughthewouldgothroughsomemajormetamorphosisanysecondwhichtheydidn'twanttomissseeing.AndinthedoorwaystoodthemanwhomK.hadnoticedinthebackgroundearlier,heheldfirmlyontothebeamabovethelowdoorswingingalittleonthetipsofhisfeetasifbecomingimpatientashewatched.ButtheyoungwomanwasthefirsttorecognisethatK.'sbehaviourwascausedbyhisfeelingslightlyunwell,shebroughtachairandasked,"Wouldyounotliketositdown?"K.satdownimmediatelyand,inordertokeephisplacebetter,puthiselbowsonthearmrests."You'realittlebitdizzy,aren'tyou?"sheaskedhim.Herfacewasnowcloseinfrontofhim,itborethesevereexpressionthatmanyyoungwomenhavejustwhenthey'reinthebloomoftheiryouth."It'snothingforyoutoworryabout,"shesaid,"that'snothingunusualhere,almosteveryonegetsanattacklikethatthefirsttimetheycomehere.Thisisyourfirsttimeisit?Yes,it'snothingunusualthen.Thesunburnsdownontheroofandthehotwoodmakestheairsothickandheavy.Itmakesthisplaceratherunsuitableforoffices,whateverotheradvantagesitmightoffer.Buttheairisalmostimpossibletobreatheondayswhenthere'salotofbusiness,andthat'salmosteveryday.Andwhenyouthinkthatthere'salotofwashingputouttodryhereaswell-andwecan'tstopthetenantsdoingthat-it'snotsurprisingyoustartedtofeelunwell.Butyougetusedtotheairalrightintheend.Whenyou'rehereforthesecondorthirdtimeyou'llhardlynoticehowoppressivetheairis.Areyoufeelinganybetternow?"K.madenoanswer,hefelttooembarrassedatbeingputatthemercyofthesepeoplebyhissuddenweakness,andlearningthereasonforfeelingillmadehimfeelnotbetterbutalittleworse.Thegirlnoticeditstraightaway,andto

maketheairfresherforK.,shetookawindowpolethatwasleaningagainstthewallandpushedopenasmallhatchdirectlyaboveK.'sheadthatledtotheoutside.ButsomuchsootfellinthatthegirlhadtoimmediatelyclosethehatchagainandcleanthesootoffK.'shandswithherhandkerchief,asK.wastootiredtodothatforhimself.Hewouldhavelikedjusttositquietlywherehewasuntilhehadenoughstrengthtoleave,andthelessfusspeoplemadeabouthimthesoonerthatwouldbe.Butthenthegirlsaid,"Youcan'tstayhere,we'reinpeople'swayhere…"K.lookedatherasiftoaskwhosewaytheywereimpeding."Ifyoulike,Icantakeyoutothesickroom,"andturningtothemaninthedoorwaysaid,"pleasehelpme".Themanimmediatelycameovertothem,butK.didnotwanttogotothesickroom,thatwasjustwhathewantedtoavoid,beingledfurtherfromplacetoplace,thefurtherhewentthemoredifficultitmustbecome.Sohesaid,"Iamabletowalknow,"andstoodup,shakingafterbecomingu

sedtosittingsocomfortably.Butthenhewasunabletostayupright."Ican'tmanageit,"hesaidshakinghishead,andsatdownagainwithasigh.Herememberedtheusherwho,despiteeverything,wouldhavebeenabletoleadhimoutoftherebutwhoseemedtohavegonelongbefore.K.lookedoutbetweenthemanandtheyoungwomanwhowerestandinginfrontofhimbutwasunabletofindtheusher."Ithink,"saidtheman,whowaselegantlydressedandwhoseappearancewasmadeespeciallyimpressivewithagreywaistcoatthathadtwolong,sharplytailoredpoints,"thegentlemanisfeelingunwellbecauseoftheatmospherehere,sothebestthing,andwhathewouldmostprefer,wouldbenottotakehimtothesickroombutgethimoutoftheofficesaltogether.""That'sright,"exclaimedK.,withsuchjoythathenearlyinterruptedwhatthemanwassaying,"I'msurethat'llmakemefeelbetterstraightaway,I'mreallynotthatweak,allIneedisalittlesupportundermyarms,Iwon'tcauseyoumuchtrouble,it'snotsuch

alongwayanyway,leadmetothedoorandthenI'llsitonthestairsforawhileandsoonrecover,asIdon'tsufferfromattackslikethisatall,I'msurprisedatitmyself.IalsoworkinanofficeandI'mquiteusedtoofficeair,buthereitseemstobetoostrong,you'vesaidsoyourselves.Soplease,besokindastohelpmeonmywayalittle,I'mfeelingdizzy,yousee,andit'llmakemeillifIstandupbymyself."Andwiththatheraisedhisshoulderstomakeiteasierforthetwoofthemtotakehimbythearms.

Theman,however,didn'tfollowthissuggestionbutjuststoodtherewithhishandsinhistrouserpocketsandlaughedoutloud."There,yousee,"hesaidtoth



egirl,"Iwasquiteright.Thegentlemanisonlyunwellhere,andnotingeneral."Theyoungwomansmiledtoo,butlightlytappedtheman'sarmwiththetipsofherfingersasifhehadallowedhimselftoomuchfunwithK."Sowhatdoyouthink,then?"saidtheman,stilllaughing,"Ireallydowanttoleadthegentlemanoutofhere.""That'salright,then,"saidthegirl,brieflyinclininghercharminghead."Don'tworrytoomuchabouthimlaughing,"saidthegirltoK.,whohadbecomeunhappyoncemoreandstaredquietlyinfrontofhimselfasifneedingnofurtherexplanation."Thisgentleman-mayIintroduceyou?"-(themangavehispermissionwithawaveofthehand)-"so,thisgentleman'sjobistogiveoutinformation.Hegivesalltheinformationtheyneedtopeoplewhoarewaiting,asourcourtanditsofficesarenotverywellknownamongthepublichegetsaskedforquitealot.Hehasananswerforeveryquestion,youcantryhimoutifyoufeellikeit.Butthat'snothisonlydistinction,hisotherdistinctionishiseleganceofdress.We,that'stosayallofuswhoworkintheofficeshere,wedecidedthattheinformation-giverwouldhavetobeelegantlydressedashecontinuallyhastodealwiththelitigantsandhe'sthefirstonetheymeet,soheneedstogiveadignifiedfirstimpression.TherestofusI'mafraid,asyoucanseejustbylookingatme,dressverybadlyandold-fashioned;andthere'snotmuchpointinspendingmuchonclothesanyway,aswehardlyeverleavetheoffices,weevensleephere.But,asIsaid,wedecidedthattheinformation-giverwouldhavetohaveniceclothes.Asthemanagementhereisratherpeculiarinthisrespect,andtheywouldgetthemforus,wehadacollection-someofthelitigantscontributedtoo-andboughthimtheselovelyclothesandsomeothersbesides.Soeverythingwouldbereadyforhimtogiveagoodimpression,

exceptthathespoilsitagainbylaughingandfrighteningpeople.""That'showitis,"saidtheman,mockingher,"butIdon'tunderstandwhyitisthatyou'reexplainingallourintimatefactstothegentleman,orratherwhyitisthatyou'repressingthemonhim,asI'msurehe'snotallinterested.Justlookathimsittingthere,it'sclearhe'soccupiedwithhisownaffairs."K.justdidnotfeellikecontradictinghim..Thegirl'sintentionmayhavebeengood,perhapsshewasunderinstructionstodistracthimortogivehimthechancetocollecthimself,buttheattempthadnotworked."Ihadtoexplaintohimwhyyouwerelaughing,"saidthegirl."Isupposeitwasinsulting.""IthinkhewouldforgiveevenworseinsultsifIfinallytookhimoutside."K.saidnothing,didnotevenlookup,hetoleratedthetwoofthemnegotiatingoverhimlikeanobject,thatwasevenwhatsuitedhimbest.Butsuddenlyhefelttheinformation-giver'shandononearmandtheyoungwoman'shandontheother."Upyougetthen,weakling

,"saidtheinformation-giver."Thankyoubothverymuch,"saidK.,pleasantlysurprised,asheslowlyroseandpersonallyguidedtheseunfamiliarhandstotheplaceswherehemostneededsupport.Astheyapproachedthecorridor,thegirlsaidquietlyintoK.'sear,"Imustseemtothinkit'sveryimportanttoshowtheinformation-giverinagoodlight,butyoushouldn'tdoubtwhatIsay,Ijustwanttosaythetruth.Heisn'thard-hearted.It'snotreallyhisjobtohelplitigantsoutsideifthey'reunwellbuthe'sdoingitanyway,asyoucansee.Idon'tsupposeanyofusishard-hearted,perhapswe'dallliketobehelpful,butworkingforthecourtofficesit'seasyforustogivetheimpressionwearehard-heartedanddon'twanttohelpanyone.Itmakesmequitesad.""Wouldyounotliketositdownhereawhile?"askedtheinformation-giver,therewerealreadyinthecorridorandjustinfrontofthedefendantwhomK.hadspokentoearlier.K.feltalmostashamedtobeseenbyhim,earlierhehadstoodsouprightinfr

ontofhimandnowhehadtobesupportedbytwoothers,hishatwasheldupbytheinformation-giverbalancedonoutstretchedfingers,hishairwasdishevelledandhungdownontothesweatonhisforehead.Butthedefendantseemedtonoticenothingofwhatwasgoingonandjuststoodtherehumbly,asifwantingtoapologisetotheinformation-giverforbeingthere.Theinformation-giverlookedpasthim."Iknow,"hesaid,"thatmycasecan'tbesettledtoday,notyet,butI'vecomeinanyway,Ithought,IthoughtIcouldwaithereanyway,it'sSundaytoday,I'vegotplentyoftime,andI'mnotdisturbinganyonehere.""There'snoneedtobesoapologetic,"saidtheinformation-giver,"it'sverycommendableforyoutobesoattentive.Youaretakingupspaceherewhenyoudon'tneedtobut



aslongasyoudon'tgetinmywayIwilldonothingtostopyoufollowingtheprogressofyourcaseascloselyasyoulike.Whenonehasseensomanypeoplewhoshamefullyneglecttheircasesonelearnstoshowpatiencewithpeoplelikeyou.Dositdown.""He'sverygoodwiththelitigants,"whisperedthegirl.K.nodded,butstartedtomoveoffagainwhentheinformation-giverrepeated,"Wouldyounotliketositdownhereawhile?""No,"saidK.,"Idon'twanttorest."Hehadsaidthatasdecisivelyashecould,butinfactitwouldhavedonehimalotofgoodtositdown.Itwasasifheweresufferingsea-sickness.Hefeltasifhewereonashipinaroughsea,asifthewaterwerehittingagainstthewoodenwalls,athunderingfromthedepthsofthecorridorasifthetorrentwerecrashingoverit,asifthecorridorwereswayingandthewaitinglitigantsoneachsideofitrisingandsinking.Itmadethecalmnessofthegirlandthemanleadinghimallthemoreincomprehensible.Hewasattheirmercy,iftheyletgoofhimhewouldfalllikeaboard.Theirlittleeyesglancedhereandthere,K.couldfeeltheevennessoftheirstepsbutcouldnotdothesame,asfromsteptostephewasvirtuallybeingcarried.Hefinallynoticedtheywerespeakingtohimbuthedidnotunderstandthem,allheheardwasanoisethatfilledallthespaceandthroughwhichthereseemedtobeanunchanginghighernotesounding,likeasiren."Louder,"hewhisperedwithhisheadsunklow,ashamedathavingtoaskthemtospeaklouderwhenheknewtheyhadspokenloudlyenough,evenifithadbeen,forhim,incomprehensible.Atlast,adraughtofcoolairblewinhisfaceasifagaphadbeentornoutinthewallinfrontofhim,andnexttohimheheardsomeonesay,"Firsthesayshewantstogo,andthenyoucantellhimahundredtimesthatthisisthewayoutandhedoesn'tmove."K.becameawar

ethathewasstandinginfrontofthewayout,andthattheyoungwomanhadopenedthedoor.Itseemedtohimthatallhisstrengthreturnedtohimatonce,andtogetaforetasteoffreedomhesteppedstraightontooneofthestairsandtookhisleavethereofhiscompanions,whobowedtohim."Thankyouverymuch,"herepeated,shooktheirhandsoncemoreanddidnotletgountilhethoughthesawthattheyfoundithardtobearthecomparativelyfreshairfromthestairwayafterbeingsolongusedtotheairintheoffices.Theywerehardlyabletoreply,andtheyoungwomanmightevenhavefallenoverifK.hadnotshutthedoorextremelyfast.K.thenstoodstillforawhile,combedhishairwiththehelpofapocketmirror,pickeduphishatfromthenextstair-theinformation-givermusthavethrownitdownthere-andthenherandownthestepssofreshandinsuchlongleapsthatthecontrastwithhispreviousstatenearlyfrightenedhim.Hisnormallysturdystateofhealthhadneverpreparedhimforsurprisessu

chasthis.Didhisbodywanttorevoltandcausehimanewtrialashewasbearingtheoldonewithsuchlittleeffort?Hedidnotquiterejecttheideathatheshouldseeadoctorthenexttimehehadthechance,butwhateverhedid-andthiswassomethingonwhichhecouldadvisehimself-hewantedtospendallSundaymorningsinfuturebetterthanhehadspentthisone.ChapterFourMissBürstner'sFriend

Forsometimeafterthis,K.founditimpossibletoexchangeevenjustafewwordswithMissBürstner.Hetriedtoreachherinmanyandvariouswaysbutshealwaysfoundawaytoavoidit.Hewouldcomestraighthomefromtheoffice,remaininherroomwithoutthelighton,andsitonthesofawithnothingmoretodistracthimthankeepingwatchontheemptyhallway.Ifthemaidwentbyandclosedthedooroftheapparentlyemptyroomhewouldgetupafterawhileandopenit

again.HegotupanhourearlierthanusualinthemorningsothathemightperhapsfindMissBürstneraloneasshewenttotheoffice.Butnoneoftheseeffortsbroughtanysuccess.Thenhewroteheraletter,bothtotheofficeandtheflat,attemptingoncemoretojustifyhisbehaviour,offeredtomakewhateveramendshecould,promisednevertocrosswhateverboundaryshemightsethimandbeggedmerelytohavethechancetospeaktohersometime,especiallyashewasunabletodoanythingwithMrs.GrubacheitheruntilhehadspokenwithMissBürstner,hefinallyinformedherthatthefollowingSundayhewouldstayinhisroomalldaywaitingforasignfromherthattherewassomehopeofhisrequestbeingfulfilled,oratleastthatshewouldexplaintohimwhyshecouldnotfulfilit



eventhoughhehadpromisedtoobservewhateverstipulationsshemightmake.Theletterswerenotreturned,buttherewasnoanswereither.However,onthefollowingSundaytherewasasignthatseemedclearenough.ItwasstillearlywhenK.noticed,throughthekeyhole,thattherewasanunusuallevelofactivityinthehallwaywhichsoonabated.AFrenchteacher,althoughshewasGermanandcalledMontag,apaleandfebrilegirlwithaslightlimpwhohadpreviouslyoccupiedaroomofherown,wasmovingintoMissBürstner'sroom.Shecouldbeseenshufflingthroughthehallwayforseveralhours,therewasalwaysanotherpieceofclothingorablanketorabookthatshehadforgottenandhadtobefetchedspeciallyandbroughtintothenewhome.

WhenMrs.GrubachbroughtK.hisbreakfast-eversincethetimewhenshehadmadeK.socrossshedidn'ttrustthemaidtodotheslightestjob-hehadnochoicebuttospeaktoher,forthefirsttimeinfivedays."Whyistheresomuchnoiseinthehallwaytoday?"heaskedasshepouredhiscoffeeout,"Can'tsomethingbedoneaboutit?DoesthisclearingouthavetobedoneonaSunday?"K.didnotlookupatMrs.Grubach,buthesawnonethelessthatsheseemedtofeelsomereliefasshebreathedin.EvensharpquestionslikethisfromMr.K.sheperceivedasforgiveness,orasthebeginningofforgiveness."We'renotclearinganythingout,Mr.K.,"shesaid,"it'sjustthatMissMontagismovinginwithMissBürstnerandismovingherthingsacross."Shesaidnothingmore,butjustwaitedtoseehowK.wouldtakeitandwhetherhewouldallowhertocarryonspeaking.ButK.keptherinuncertainty,tookthespoonandpensivelystirredhiscoffeewhileheremainedsilent.Thenhelookedupatherandsaid,"Whataboutth

esuspicionsyouhadearlieraboutMissBürstner,haveyougiventhemup?""Mr.K.,"calledMrs.Grubach,whohadbeenwaitingforthisveryquestion,assheputherhandstogetherandheldthemouttowardshim."Ijustmadeachanceremarkandyoutookitsobadly.Ididn'thavetheslightestintentionofoffendinganyone,notyouoranyoneelse.You'veknownmeforlongenough,Mr.K.,I'msureyou'reconvincedofthat.Youdon'tknowhowI'vebeensufferingforthepastfewdays!ThatIshouldtellliesaboutmytenants!Andyou,Mr.K.,youbelievedit!AndsaidIshouldgiveyounotice!Giveyounotice!"Atthislastoutcry,Mrs.Grubachwasalreadychokingbackhertears,sheraisedheraprontoherfaceandblubberedoutloud.

"Oh,don'tcryMrs.Grubach,"saidK.,lookingoutthewindow,hewasthinkingonlyofMissBürstnerandhowshewasacceptinganunknowngirlintoherroom."Now

don'tcry,"hesaidagainasheturnedhislookbackintotheroomwhereMrs.Grubachwasstillcrying."ImeantnoharmeitherwhenIsaidthat.Itwassimplyamisunderstandingbetweenus.Thatcanhappenevenbetweenoldfriendssometimes."Mrs.GrubachpulledheraprondowntobelowhereyestoseewhetherK.reallywasattemptingareconciliation."Well,yes,that'showitis,"saidK.,andasMrs.Grubach'sbehaviourindicatedthatthecaptainhadsaidnothinghedaredtoadd,"Doyoureallythink,then,thatI'dwanttomakeanenemyofyouforthesakeofagirlwehardlyknow?""Yes,you'requiteright,Mr.K.,"saidMrs.Grubach,andthen,tohermisfortune,assoonasshefeltjustalittlefreertospeak,sheaddedsomethingratherinept."IkeptaskingmyselfwhyitwasthatMr.K.tooksuchaninterestinMissBürstner.WhydoeshequarrelwithmeoverherwhenheknowsthatanycrosswordfromhimandIcan'tsleepthatnight?AndIdidn'tsayanythingaboutMissBürstnerthatIhadn'tseenwithmyowneyes."K.

saidnothinginreply,heshouldhavechasedherfromtheroomassoonasshehadopenedhermouth,andhedidn'twanttodothat.HecontentedhimselfwithmerelydrinkinghiscoffeeandlettingMrs.Grubachfeelthatshewassuperfluous.Outside,thedraggingstepsofMissMontagcouldstillbeheardasshewentfromonesideofthehallwaytotheother."Doyouhearthat?"askedK.pointinghishandatthedoor."Yes,"saidMrs.Grubachwithasigh,"IwantedtogivehersomehelpandIwantedthemaidtohelphertoobutshe'sstubborn,shewantstomoveeverythinginherself.IwonderatMissBürstner.Ioftenfeelit'saburdenformetohaveMissMontagasatenantbutMissBürstneracceptsherintoherroomwithherself.""There'snothingthereforyoutoworryabout"saidK.,crushing



theremainsofasugarlumpinhiscup."Doesshecauseyouanytrouble?""No,"saidMrs.Grubach,"initselfit'sverygoodtohaveherthere,itmakesanotherroomfreeformeandIcanletmynephew,thecaptain,occupyit.IbegantoworryhemightbedisturbingyouwhenIhadtolethimliveinthelivingroomnexttoyouoverthelastfewdays.He'snotveryconsiderate.""Whatanidea!"saidK.standingup,"there'snoquestionofthat.YouseemtothinkthatbecauseIcan'tstandthisto-ingandfro-ingofMissMontagthatI'mover-sensitive-andthereshegoesbackagain."Mrs.Grubachappearedquitepowerless."ShouldItellhertoleavemovingtherestofherthingsovertilllater,then,Mr.K.?Ifthat'swhatyouwantI'lldoitimmediately.""ButshehastomoveinwithMissBürstner!"saidK."Yes,"saidMrs.Grubach,withoutquiteunderstandingwhatK.meant."Soshehastotakeherthingsoverthere."Mrs.Grubachjustnodded.K.wasirritatedallthemorebythisdumbhelplessnesswhich,seenfromtheoutside,couldhaveseemedlikeakindofdefianceonherpart.Hebegantowalkupanddowntheroombetweenthewindowandthedoor,thusdeprivingMrs.Grubachofthechancetoleave,whichsheotherwiseprobablywouldhavedone.

JustasK.oncemorereachedthedoor,someoneknockedatit.Itwasthemaid,tosaythatMissMontagwouldliketohaveafewwordswithMr.K.,andthereforerequestedthathecometothediningroomwhereshewaswaitingforhim.K.heardthemaidoutthoughtfully,andthenlookedbackattheshockedMrs.Grubachinawaythatwasalmostcontemptuous.HislookseemedtobesayingthatK.hadbeenexpectingthisinvitationforMissMontagforalongtime,andthatitwasconfirmationofthesufferinghehadbeenmadetoendurethatSundaymorningfrom

Mrs.Grubach'stenants.Hesentthemaidbackwiththereplythathewasonhisway,thenhewenttothewardrobetochangehiscoat,andinanswertoMrs.Grubach'sgentlewhiningaboutthenuisanceMissMontagwascausingmerelyaskedhertoclearawaythebreakfastthings."Butyou'vehardlytouchedit,"saidMrs.Grubach."Ohjusttakeitaway!"shoutedK.ItseemedtohimthatMissMontagwasmixedupineverythingandmadeitrepulsivetohim.

AshewentthroughthehallwayhelookedatthecloseddoorofMissBürstner'sroom.Butitwasn'ttherethathewasinvited,butthediningroom,towhichheyankedthedooropenwithoutknocking.

Theroomwaslongbutnarrowwithonewindow.Therewasonlyenoughspaceavailabletoputtwocupboardsatanangleinthecornerbythedoor,andtherestof

theroomwasentirelytakenupwiththelongdiningtablewhichstartedbythedoorandreachedallthewaytothegreatwindow,whichwasthusmadealmostinaccessible.Thetablewasalreadylaidforalargenumberofpeople,asonSundaysalmostallthetenantsatetheirdinnerhereatmidday.

WhenK.entered,MissMontagcametowardshimfromthewindowalongonesideofthetable.Theygreetedeachotherinsilence.ThenMissMontag,herheadunusuallyerectasalways,said,"I'mnotsurewhetheryouknowme."K.lookedatherwithafrown."OfcourseIdo,"hesaid,"you'vebeenlivingherewithMrs.Grubachforquitesometimenow.""ButIgettheimpressionyoudon'tpaymuchattentiontowhat'sgoingoninthelodginghouse,"saidMissMontag."No,"saidK."Wouldyounotliketositdown?"saidMissMontag.Insilence,thetwoofthemdrewchairsoutfromthefarthestendofthetableandsatdownfacingeachother

.ButMissMontagstoodstraightupagainasshehadleftherhandbagonthewindowsillandwenttofetchit;sheshuffleddownthewholelengthoftheroom.Whenshecameback,thehandbaglightlyswinging,shesaid,"I'dlikejusttohaveafewwordswithyouonbehalfofmyfriend.Shewouldhavecomeherself,butshe'sfeelingalittleunwelltoday.Perhapsyou'llbekindenoughtoforgiveherandlistentomeinstead.There'sanywaynothingthatshecouldhavesaidthatIwon't.Onthecontrary,infact,IthinkIcansayevenmorethanherbecauseI'mrelativelyimpartial.Wouldyounotagree?""Whatistheretosay,then?"answeredK.,whowastiredofMissMontagcontinuouslywatchinghislips.Inthatwayshetookcontrolofwhathewantedtosaybeforehesaidit."MissBürstnerc



learlyrefusestograntmethepersonalmeetingthatIaskedherfor.""That'showitis,"saidMissMontag,"orrather,that'snotatallhowitis,thewayyouputitisremarkablysevere.Generallyspeaking,meetingsareneithergrantednortheopposite.Butitcanbethatmeetingsareconsideredunnecessary,andthat'showitishere.Now,afteryourcomment,Icanspeakopenly.Youaskedmyfriend,verballyorinwriting,forthechancetospeakwithher.Nowmyfriendisawareofyourreasonsforaskingforthismeeting-oratleastIsupposesheis-andso,forreasonsIknownothingabout,sheisquitesurethatitwouldbeofnobenefittoanyoneifthismeetingactuallytookplace.Moreover,itwasonlyyesterday,andonlyverybriefly,thatshemadeitcleartomethatsuchameetingcouldbeofnobenefitforyourselfeither,shefeelsthatitcanonlyhavebeenamatterofchancethatsuchanideacametoyou,andthatevenwithoutanyexplanationsfromher,youwillverysooncometorealiseyourself,ifyouhavenotdonesoalready,thefutilityofyouridea.Myanswertothatisthatalthoughitmaybequiteright,Iconsideritadvantageous,ifthematteristobemadeperfectlyclear,togiveyouanexplicitanswer.Iofferedmyservicesintakingonthetask,andaftersomehesitationmyfriendconceded.Ihope,however,alsotohaveactedinyourinterests,aseventheslightestuncertaintyintheleastsignificantofmatterswillalwaysremainacauseofsufferingandif,asinthiscase,itcanberemovedwithoutsubstantialeffort,thenitisbetterifthatisdonewithoutdelay.""Ithankyou,"saidK.assoonasMissMontaghadfinished.Hestoodslowlyup,lookedather,thenacrossthetable,thenoutthewindow-thehouseoppositestoodthereinthesun-andwenttothedoor.MissMontagfollowedhimafewpaces,asifshedidnotquitetrusthim.Atthed

oor,however,bothofthemhadtostepbackasitopenedandCaptainLanzentered.ThiswasthefirsttimethatK.hadseenhimcloseup.Hewasalargemanofaboutfortywithatanned,fleshyface.Hebowedslightly,intendingitalsoforK.,andthenwentovertoMissMontaganddeferentiallykissedherhand.Hewasveryelegantinthewayhemoved.ThecourtesyheshowedtowardsMissMontagmadeastrikingcontrastwiththewayshehadbeentreatedbyK.Nonetheless,MissMontagdidnotseemtobecrosswithK.asitevenseemedtohimthatshewantedtointroducethecaptain.K.however,didnotwanttobeintroduced,hewouldnothavebeenabletoshowanysortoffriendlinesseithertoMissMontagortothecaptain,thekissonthehandhad,forK.,boundthemintoagroupwhichwouldkeephimatadistancefromMissBürstnerwhilstatthesametimeseemingtobetotallyharmlessandunselfish.K.thought,however,thathesawmorethanthat,hethoughthealsosawthatMissMontaghadchosenameansofdoingitthatwa

sgood,buttwo-edged.SheexaggeratedtheimportanceoftherelationshipbetweenK.andMissBürstner,andaboveallsheexaggeratedtheimportanceofaskingtospeakwithherandshetriedatthesametimetomakeoutthatK.wasexaggeratingeverything.Shewouldbedisappointed,K.didnotwanttoexaggerateanything,hewasawarethatMissBürstnerwasalittletypistwhowouldnotofferhimmuchresistanceforlong.IndoingsohedeliberatelytooknoaccountofwhatMrs.GrubachhadtoldhimaboutMissBürstner.Allthesethingsweregoingthroughhismindashelefttheroomwithhardlyapoliteword.Hewantedtogostraighttohisroom,butalittlelaughfromMissMontagthatheheardfromthediningroombehindhimbroughthimtotheideathathemightprepareasurpriseforthetwoofthem,thecaptainandMissMontag.Helookedroundandlistenedtofindoutiftheremightbeanydisturbancefromanyofthesurroundingrooms,everywherewasquiet,theonlythingtobeheardwastheconversationfromthediningrooma

ndMrs.Grubach'svoicefromthepassageleadingtothekitchen.Thisseemedanopportunetime,K.wenttoMissBürstner'sroomandknockedgently.Therewasnosoundsoheknockedagainbuttherewasstillnoanswerinreply.Wassheasleep?Orwasshereallyunwell?OrwasshejustpretendingassherealiseditcouldonlybeK.knockingsogently?K.assumedshewaspretendingandknockedharder,eventually,whentheknockingbroughtnoresult,hecarefullyopenedthedoorwiththesenseofdoingsomethingthatwasnotonlyimproperbutalsopointless.Intheroomtherewasno-one.What'smore,itlookedhardlyatallliketheroomK.hadknownbefore.Againstthewalltherewerenowtwobedsbehindoneanother,therewereclothespileduponthreechairsnearthedoor,awardrobestoodop



en.MissBürstnermusthavegoneoutwhileMissMontagwasspeakingtohiminthediningroom.K.wasnotgreatlybotheredbythis,hehadhardlyexpectedtobeabletofindMissBürstnersoeasilyandhadmadethisattemptforlittlemorereasonthantospiteMissMontag.Butthatmadeitallthemoreembarrassingforhimwhen,ashewasclosingthedooragain,hesawMissMontagandthecaptaintalkingintheopendoorwayofthediningroom.TheyhadprobablybeenstandingthereeversinceK.hadopenedthedoor,theyavoidedseemingtoobserveK.butchattedlightlyandfollowedhismovementswithglances,theabsentmindedglancestothesidesuchasyoumakeduringaconversation.ButtheseglanceswereheavyforK.,andherushedalongsidethewallbackintohisownroom.ChapterFiveThewhip-man

Oneevening,afewdayslater,K.waswalkingalongoneofthecorridorsthatseparatedhisofficefromthemainstairway-hewasnearlythelastonetoleaveforhomethatevening,thereremainedonlyacoupleofworkersinthelightofasinglebulbinthedispatchdepartment-whenheheardasighfrombehindadoorwhichhehadhimselfneveropenedbutwhichhehadalwaysthoughtjustledintoajunkroom.Hestoodinamazementandlistenedagaintoestablishwhetherhemightnotbemistaken.Forawhiletherewassilence,butthencamesomemoresighs.Hisfirstthoughtwastofetchoneoftheservitors,itmightwellhavebeenworthhavingawitnesspresent,butthenhewastakenbyanuncontrollablecuriositythatmakehimsimplyyankthedooropen.Itwas,ashehadthought,ajunkroom.Old,unusableforms,emptystoneink-bottleslayscatteredbehindtheentrance.Butinthecupboard-likeroomitselfstoodthreemen,crouchingunderth

elowceiling.Acandlefixedonashelfgavethemlight."Whatareyoudoinghere?"askedK.quietly,butcrosslyandwithoutthinking.Oneofthemenwasclearlyincharge,andattractedattentionbybeingdressedinakindofdarkleathercostumewhichlefthisneckandchestandhisarmsexposed.Hedidnotanswer.Buttheothertwocalledout,"Mr.K.!We'retobebeatenbecauseyoumadeacomplaintaboutustotheexaminingjudge."Andnow,K.finallyrealisedthatitwasactuallythetwopolicemen,FranzandWillem,andthatthethirdmanheldacaneinhishandwithwhichtobeatthem."Well,"saidK.,staringatthem,"Ididn'tmakeanycomplaint,Ionlysaidwhattookplaceinmyhome.Andyourbehaviourwasnotentirelyunobjectionable,afterall.""Mr.K.,"saidWillem,whileFranzclearlytriedtoshelterbehindhimasprotectionfromthethirdman,"ifyouknewhowbadlywegetpaidyouwouldn'tthinksobadlyofus.I'vegotafamilytofeed,andFranzherewantedtogetmarried,youjusthavetogetmoremone

ywhereyoucan,youcan'tdoitjustbyworkinghard,nothoweverhardyoutry.Iwassorelytemptedbyyourfineclothes,policemenaren'tallowedtodothatsortofthing,coursetheyaren't,anditwasn'trightofus,butit'straditionthattheclothesgototheofficers,that'showit'salwaysbeen,believeme;andit'sunderstandabletoo,isn'tit,whatcanthingslikethatmeanforanyoneunluckyenoughtobearrested?Butifhestartstalkingaboutitopenlythenthepunishmenthastofollow.""Ididn'tknowaboutanyofthisthatyou'vebeentellingme,andImadenosortofrequestthatyoubepunished,Iwassimplyactingonprinciple.""Franz,"saidWillem,turningtotheotherpoliceman,"didn'tItellyouthatthegentlemandidn'tsayhewantedustobepunished?Nowyoucanhearforyourself,hedidn'tevenknowwe'dhavetobepunished.""Don'tyouletthempersuadeyou,talkinglikethat,"saidthethirdmantoK.,"thispunishmentisbothjustandunavoidable.""Don'tlistentohim,"saidWillem,interrupt

inghimselfonlytoquicklybringhishandtohismouthwhenithadreceivedastrokeofthecane,"we'reonlybeingpunishedbecauseyoumadeacomplaintagainstus.Nothingwouldhavehappenedtousotherwise,notevenifthey'dfoundoutwhatwe'ddone.Canyoucallthatjustice?Bothofus,meespecially,we'dprovedourworthasgoodpoliceofficersoveralongperiod-you'vegottoadmityourselfthatasfarasofficialworkwasconcernedwedidthejobwell-thingslookedgoodforus,wehadprospects,it'squitecertainthatwewould'vebeenmadewhip-mentoo,likethisone,onlyhehadthelucknottohaveanyonemakeacomplaintabouthim,asyoureallydon'tgetmanycomplaintslikethat.Onlythat'sallfinishednow,Mr.K.,ourcareersareatanend,we'regoingtohavetod



oworknowthat'sfarinferiortopoliceworkandbesidesallthiswe'regoingtogetthisterrible,painfulbeating.""Canthecanereallycausesomuchpain,then?"askedK.,testingthecanethatthewhip-manswanginfrontofhim."We'regoingtohavetostripofftotallynaked,"saidWillem."Oh,Isee,"saidK.,lookingstraightatthewhip-man,hisskinwasburnedbrownlikeasailor's,andhisfaceshowedhealthandvigour."Istherethennopossibilityofsparingthesetwotheirbeating?"heaskedhim."No,"saidthewhip-man,shakinghisheadwithalaugh."Getundressed!"heorderedthepolicemen.AndtoK.hesaid,"Youshouldn'tbelieveeverythingtheytellyou,it'sthefearofbeingbeaten,it'salreadymadethemabitweakinthehead.Thisonehere,forinstance,"hepointedatWillem,"allthathetoldyouabouthiscareerprospects,it'sjustridiculous.Lookathim,lookhowfatheis-thefirststrokesofthecanewilljustgetlostinallthatfat.Doyouknowwhatitisthat'smadehimsofat?He'sinthehabitof,everyonethatgetsarrestedbyhim,heeatstheirbreakfast.Didn'theeatupyourbreakfast?Yeah,Ithoughtasmuch.Butamanwithabellylikethatcan'tbemadeintoawhip-manandneverwillbe,thatisquiteoutofthequestion.""Therearewhip-menlikethat,"Willeminsisted,whohadjustreleasedthebeltofthistrousers."No,"saidthewhip-man,strikinghimsuchablowwiththecaneonhisneckthatitmadehimwince,"youshouldn'tbelisteningtothis,justgetundressed.""Iwouldmakeitwellworthyourwhileifyouwouldletthemgo,"saidK.,andwithoutlookingatthewhip-managain-assuchmattersarebestcarriedonwithbothpairsofeyesturneddown-hepulledouthiswallet."Andthenyou'dtryandputinacomplaintagainstme,too,"saidthewhip-man,"andgetmeflogged.No,no!""Now,dobereasonable,"saidK.,"ifIhad

wantedtogetthesetwopunishedIwouldnotnowbetryingtobuytheirfreedom,wouldI.Icouldsimplyclosethedoorherebehindme,gohomeandseeorhearnothingmoreofit.Butthat'snotwhatI'mdoing,itreallyisofmuchmoreimportancetometoletthemgofree;ifIhadrealisedtheywouldbepunished,oreventhattheymightbepunished,IwouldneverhavenamedtheminthefirstplaceastheyarenottheonesIholdresponsible.It'stheorganisationthat'stoblame,thehighofficialsaretheonestoblame.""That'showitis!"shoutedthepolicemen,whothenimmediatelyreceivedanotherblowontheirbacks,whichwerebynowexposed."Ifyouhadaseniorjudgeherebeneathyourstick,"saidK.,pressingdownthecaneashespoketostopitbeingraisedoncemore,"Ireallywoulddonothingtostopyou,onthecontrary,Iwouldevenpayyoumoneytogiveyouallthemorestrength.""Yeah,that'sallveryplausible,whatyou'resayingthere,"saidthewhip-man,"onlyI'mnotthesortofpersonyoucanbribe.

It'smyjobtoflogpeople,soIflogthem."Franz,thepoliceman,hadbeenfairlyquietsofar,probablyinexpectationofagoodresultfromK.'sintervention,butnowhesteppedforwardtothedoorwearingjusthistrousers,kneeleddownhangingontoK.'sarmandwhispered,"Evenifyoucan'tgetmercyshownforbothofus,atleasttryandgetmesetfree.Willemisolderthanme,he'slesssensitivethanmeineveryway,heevengotalightbeatingacoupleofyearsago,butmyrecord'sstillclean,IonlydidthingsthewayIdidbecauseWillemledmeontoit,he'sbeenmyteacherbothforgoodandbad.Downinfrontofthebankmypoorbrideiswaitingformeattheentrance,I'msoashamedofmyself,it'spitiful."Hisfacewasflowingoverwithtears,andhewipeditdryonK.'scoat."I'mnotgoingtowaitanylonger,"saidthewhip-man,takingholdofthecaneinbothhandsandlayingintoFranzwhileWillemcoweredbackinacornerandlookedonsecretly,notevendaringtoturnhishead.Then,thesuddenscre

amthatshotoutfromFranzwaslongandirrevocable,itseemedtocomenotfromahumanbeingbutfromaninstrumentthatwasbeingtortured,thewholecorridorrangwithit,itmusthavebeenheardbyeveryoneinthebuilding."Don'tshoutlikethat!",calledoutK.,unabletopreventhimself,and,ashelookedanxiouslyinthedirectionfromwhichtheservitorwouldcome,hegaveFranzashove,nothard,buthardenoughforhimtofalldownunconscious,clawingatthegroundwithhishandsbyreflex;hestilldidnotavoidbeinghit;therodstillfoundhimonthefloor;thetipoftherodswangregularlyupanddownwhileherolledtoandfrounderitsblows.Andnowoneoftheservitorsappearedinthedistance,withanotherafewstepsbehindhim.K.hadquicklythrownthedoorshut,



goneovertooneofthewindowsoverlookingtheyardandopenedit.Thescreamshadcompletelystopped.Sothattheservitorwouldn'tcomein,hecalledout,"It'sonlyme!""Goodevening,chiefclerk,"somebodycalledback."Isthereanythingwrong?""No,no,"answeredK.,"it'sonlyadogyelpingintheyard."Therewasnosoundfromtheservitorssoheadded,"Youcangobacktowhatyouweredoing."Hedidnotwanttobecomeinvolvedwithaconversationwiththem,andsoheleantoutofthewindow.Alittlewhilelater,whenhelookedoutinthecorridor,theyhadalreadygone.Now,K.remainedatthewindow,hedidnotdaregobackintothejunkroom,andhedidnotwanttogohomeeither.Theyardhelookeddownintowassmallandrectangular,allarounditwereoffices,allthewindowswerenowdarkandonlythoseattheverytopcaughtareflectionofthemoon.Ktriedhardtoseeintothedarknessofonecorneroftheyard,whereafewhandcartshadbeenleftbehindoneanother.Hefeltanguishatnothavingbeenabletopreventtheflogging,butthatwasnothisfault,ifFranzhadnotscreamedlikethat-clearlyitmusthavecausedagreatdealofpainbutit'simportanttomaintaincontrolofoneselfatimportantmoments-ifFranzhadnotscreamedthenitwasatleasthighlyprobablethatK.wouldhavebeenabletodissuadethewhip-man.Ifallthejuniorofficerswerecontemptiblewhywouldthewhip-man,whosepositionwasthemostinhumaneofall,beanyexception,andK.hadnoticedveryclearlyhowhiseyeshadlitupwhenhesawthebanknotes,hehadobviouslyonlyseemedseriousaboutthefloggingtoraisethelevelofthebribealittle.AndK.hadnotbeenungenerous,hereallyhadwantedtogetthepolicemenfreed;ifhereallyhadnowbeguntodosomethingagainstthedegeneracyofthecourtthenitwasamatterofcoursethathewouldhavetodosomethingherea

swell.Butofcourse,itbecameimpossibleforhimtodoanythingassoonasFranzstartedscreaming.K.couldnotpossiblyhaveletthejuniorbankstaff,andperhapsevenallsortsofotherpeople,comealongandcatchhimbysurpriseashehaggledwiththosepeopleinthejunkroom.Nobodycouldreallyexpectthatsortofsacrificeofhim.Ifthathadbeenhisintentionthenitwouldalmosthavebeeneasier,K.wouldhavetakenhisownclothesoffandofferedhimselftothewhip-maninthepolicemen'splace.Thewhip-manwouldcertainlynothaveacceptedthissubstitutionanyway,asinthatwayhewouldhaveseriouslyviolatedhisdutywithoutgaininganybenefit.Hewouldmostlikelyhaveviolatedhisdutytwiceover,ascourtemployeeswereprobablyunderordersnottocauseanyharmtoK.whilehewasfacingcharges,althoughtheremayhavebeenspecialconditionsinforcehere.Howeverthingsstood,K.wasabletodonomorethanthrowthedoorshut,eventhoughthatwouldstilldonothingtoremoveallthedangersh

efaced.ItwasregrettablethathehadgivenFranzashove,anditcouldonlybeexcusedbytheheatofthemoment.

Inthedistance,heheardthestepsoftheservitors;hedidnotwantthemtobetooawareofhispresence,soheclosedthewindowandwalkedtowardsthemainstaircase.Atthedoorofthejunkroomhestoppedandlistenedforalittlewhile.Allwassilent.Thetwopolicemenwereentirelyatthewhip-man'smercy;hecouldhavebeatenthemtodeath.K.reachedhishandoutforthedoorhandlebutdrewitsuddenlyback.Hewasnolongerinanypositiontohelpanyone,andtheservitorswouldsoonbeback;hedid,though,promisehimselfthathewouldraisethematteragainwithsomebodyandseethat,asfarasitwasinhispower,thosewhoreallywereguilty,thehighofficialswhomnobodyhadsofardaredpointouttohim,receivedtheirduepunishment.Ashewentdownthemainstairway

atthefrontofthebank,helookedcarefullyroundateveryonewhowaspassing,buttherewasnogirltobeseenwhomighthavebeenwaitingforsomebody,notevenwithinsomedistancefromthebank.Franz'sclaimthathisbridewaswaitingforhimwasthusshowntobealie,albeitonethatwasforgivableandintendedonlytoelicitmoresympathy.

ThepolicemenwerestillonK.'smindallthroughthefollowingday;hewasunabletoconcentrateonhisworkandhadtostayinhisofficealittlelongerthanthepreviousdaysothathecouldfinishit.Onthewayhome,ashepassedbythejunkroomagain,heopeneditsdoorasifthathadbeenhishabit.Insteadof



thedarknessheexpected,hesaweverythingunchangedfromthepreviousevening,anddidnotknowhowheshouldrespond.Everythingwasexactlythesameashehadseenitwhenhehadopenedthedoorthepreviousevening.Theformsandbottlesofinkjustinsidethedoorway,thewhip-manwithhiscane,thetwopolicemen,stillundressed,thecandleontheshelf,andthetwopolicemenbegantowailandcallout"Mr.K.!"K.slammedthedoorimmediatelyshut,andeventhumpedonitwithhisfistsasifthatwouldshutitallthefirmer.Almostintears,herantotheservitorsworkingquietlyatthecopyingmachine."Goandgetthatjunkroomclearedout!"heshouted,and,inamazement,theystoppedwhattheyweredoing."Itshouldhavebeendonelongago,we'resinkingindirt!"Theywouldbeabletodothejobthenextday,K.nodded,itwastoolateintheeveningtomakethemdoitthereandthenashehadoriginallyintended.Hesatdownbrieflyinordertokeepthemnearhimforalittlelonger,lookedthroughafewofthecopiestogivetheimpressionthathewascheckingthemandthen,ashesawthattheywouldnotdaretoleaveatthesametimeashimself,wenthometiredandwithhismindnumb.ChapterSixK.'suncle-Leni

Oneafternoon-K.wasverybusyatthetime,gettingthepostready-K.'sUncleKarl,asmallcountrylandowner,cameintotheroom,pushinghiswaybetweentwoofthestaffwhowerebringinginsomepapers.K.hadlongexpectedhisuncletoappear,butthesightofhimnowshockedK.farlessthantheprospectofithaddonealongtimebefore.Hisunclewasboundtocome,K.hadbeensureofthatforaboutamonth.Healreadythoughtatthetimehecouldseehowhisuncl

ewouldarrive,slightlybowed,hisbatteredpanamahatinhislefthand,hisrighthandalreadystretchedoutoverthedesklongbeforehewascloseenoughasherushedcarelesslytowardsK.knockingovereverythingthatwasinhisway.K.'sunclewasalwaysinahurry,ashesufferedfromtheunfortunatebeliefthathehadanumberthingstodowhilehewasinthebigcityandhadtosettlealloftheminoneday-hisvisitswereonlyeverforoneday-andatthesametimethoughthecouldnotforgoanyconversationorpieceofbusinessorpleasurethatmightarisebychance.UncleKarlwasK.'sformerguardian,andsoK.wasduty-boundtohelphiminallofthisaswellastoofferhimabedforthenight.'I'mhauntedbyaghostfromthecountry',hewouldsay.

Assoonastheyhadgreetedeachother-K.hadinvitedhimtositinthearmchairbutUncleKarlhadnotimeforthat-hesaidhewantedtospeakbrieflywith

K.inprivate."Itisnecessary,"hesaidwithatiredgulp,"itisnecessaryformypeaceofmind."K.immediatelysentthejuniorstafffromtheroomandtoldthemtoletno-onein."What'sthisthatI'vebeenhearing,Josef?"criedK.'sunclewhentheywerealone,ashesatonthetableshovingvariouspapersunderhimselfwithoutlookingatthemtomakehimselfmorecomfortable.K.saidnothing,heknewwhatwascoming,but,suddenlyrelievedfromtheeffortoftheworkhehadbeendoing,hegavewaytoapleasantlassitudeandlookedoutthewindowattheothersideofthestreet.Fromwherehesat,hecouldseejustasmall,triangularsectionofit,partoftheemptywallsofhousesbetweentwoshopwindows."You'restaringoutthewindow!"calledouthisuncle,raisinghisarms,"ForGod'ssake,Josef,givemeananswer!Isittrue,canitreallybetrue?""UncleKarl,"saidK.,wrenchinghimselfbackfromhisdaydreaming,"Ireallydon'tknowwhatitisyouwantofme.""Josef,"saidhisuncleinawarningtone,"a

sfarasIknow,you'vealwaystoldthetruth.AmItotakewhatyou'vejustsaidasabadsign?""IthinkIknowwhatitisyouwant,"saidK.obediently,"Iexpectyou'veheardaboutmytrial.""That'sright,"answeredhisunclewithaslownod,"I'veheardaboutyourtrial.""Whodidyouhearitfrom,then?"askedK."Ernawrotetome,"saidhisuncle,"shedoesn'thavemuchcontactwithyou,it'strue,youdon'tpayverymuchattentiontoher,I'mafraidtosay,butshelearnedaboutitnonetheless.Igotherlettertodayand,ofcourse,Icamestraighthere.Andfornootherreason,butitseemstomethatthisisreasonenough.Icanreadyououtthepartoftheletterthatconcernsyou."Hedrewtheletteroutfromhiswallet."Hereitis.Shewrites;'IhavenotseenJosefforalo



ngtime,IwasinthebanklastweekbutJosefwassobusythattheywouldnotletmethrough;IwaitedtherefornearlyanhourbutthenIhadtogohomeasIhadmypianolesson.Iwouldhavelikedtohavespokentohim,maybetherewillbeachanceanothertime.Hesentmeabigboxofchocolatesformyname-day,thatwasveryniceandattentiveofhim.IforgottotellyouaboutitwhenIwrote,andIonlyremembernowthatyouaskmeaboutit.Chocolate,asIamsureyouareaware,disappearsstraightawayinthislodginghouse,almostassoonasyouknowsomebodyhasgivenyouchocolateitisgone.ButthereissomethingelseIwantedtotellyouaboutJosef.LikeIsaid,theywouldnotletmethroughtoseehimatthebankbecausehewasnegotiatingwithsomegentlemanjustthen.AfterIhadbeenwaitingquietlyforquitealongtimeIaskedoneofthestaffwhetherhismeetingwouldlastmuchlonger.Hesaiditmightwelldo,asitwasprobablyaboutthelegalproceedings,hesaid,thatwerebeingconductedagainsthim.Iaskedwhatsortoflegalproceedingsitwasthatwerebeingconductedagainstthechiefclerk,andwhetherhewasnotmakingsomemistake,buthesaidhewasnotmakinganymistake,therewerelegalproceedingsunderwayandeventhattheywereaboutsomethingquiteserious,buthedidnotknowanymoreaboutit.Hewouldhavelikedtohavebeenofsomehelptothechiefclerkhimself,asthechiefclerkwasagentleman,goodandhonest,buthedidnotknowwhatitwashecoulddoandmerelyhopedtherewouldbesomeinfluentialgentlemenwhowouldtakehisside.I'msurethatiswhatwillhappenandthateverythingwillturnoutforthebestintheend,butinthemeantimethingsdonotlookatallgood,andyoucanseethatfromthemoodofthechiefclerkhimself.Ofcourse,Ididnotplacetoomuchimportanceonthisconversation,andevendidmybesttoput

thebankclerk'smindatrest,hewasquiteasimpleman.Itoldhimhewasnottospeaktoanyoneelseaboutthis,andIthinkitisalljustarumour,butIstillthinkitmightbegoodifyou,DearFather,ifyoulookedintothematterthenexttimeyouvisit.Itwillbeeasyforyoutofindoutmoredetailand,ifitisreallynecessary,todosomethingaboutitthroughthegreatandinfluentialpeopleyouknow.Butifitisnotnecessary,andthatiswhatseemsmostlikely,thenatleastyourdaughterwillsoonhavethechancetoembraceyouandIlookforwardtoit.'-She'sagoodchild,"saidK.'sunclewhenhehadfinishedreading,andwipedafewtearsfromhiseyes.K.nodded.WithallthedifferentdisruptionshehadhadrecentlyhehadcompletelyforgottenaboutErna,evenherbirthday,andthestoryofthechocolateshadclearlyjustbeeninventedsothathewouldn'tgetintroublewithhisauntanduncle.Itwasverytouching,andeventhetheatretickets,whichhewouldregularlysendherfromthenon,would

notbeenoughtorepayher,buthereallydidnotfeel,now,thatitwasrightforhimtovisitherinherlodgingsandholdconversationswithalittle,eighteenyearoldschoolgirl."Andwhatdoyouhavetosayaboutthat?"askedhisuncle,whohadforgottenallhisrushandexcitementashereadtheletter,andseemedtobeabouttoreaditagain."Yes,Uncle,"saidK.,"itistrue.""True!"calledouthisuncle."Whatistrue?Howcanthisbetrue?Whatsortoftrialisit?Notacriminaltrial,Ihope?""It'sacriminaltrial,"answeredK."Andyousitquietlyherewhileyou'vegotacriminaltrialroundyourneck?"shoutedhisuncle,gettingeverlouder."ThemorecalmIam,thebetteritwillbefortheoutcome,"saidK.inatiredvoice,"don'tworry.""HowcanIhelpworrying?!"shoutedhisuncle,"Josef,myDearJosef,thinkaboutyourself,aboutyourfamily,thinkaboutourgoodname!Uptillnow,you'vealwaysbeenourpride,don'tnowbecomeourdisgrace.Idon'tlikethewayyou'rebehaving,"hesaid,looking

atK.withhisheadatanangle,"that'snothowaninnocentmanbehaveswhenhe'saccusedofsomething,notifhe'sstillgotanystrengthinhim.Justtellmewhatit'sallaboutsothatIcanhelpyou.It'ssomethingtodowiththebank,Itakeit?""No,"saidK.ashestoodup,"andyou'respeakingtooloud,Uncle,IexpectoneofthestaffislisteningatthedoorandIfindthatratherunpleasant.It'sbestifwegosomewhereelse,thenIcananswerallyourquestions,asfarasIcan.AndIknowverywellthatIhavetoaccounttothefamilyforwhatIdo.""Youcertainlydo!"hisuncleshouted,"Quiteright,youdo.Nowjustgetamoveon,Josef,hurryupnow!""IstillhaveafewdocumentsIneedtoprepare,"saidK.,and,usingtheintercom,hesummonedhisdeputywhoenteredaf



ewmomentslater.K.'suncle,stillangryandexcited,gesturedwithhishandtoshowthatK.hadsummonedhim,eventhoughtherewasnoneedwhatevertodoso.K.stoodinfrontofthedeskandexplainedtotheyoungman,wholistenedcalmandattentive,whatwouldneedtobedonethatdayinhisabsence,speakinginacalmvoiceandmakinguseofvariousdocuments.ThepresenceofK.'sunclewhilethiswasgoingonwasquitedisturbing;hedidnotlistentowhatwasbeingsaid,butatfirsthestoodtherewitheyeswideopenandnervouslybitinghislips.Thenhebegantowalkupanddowntheroom,stoppednowandthenatthewindow,orstoodinfrontofapicturealwaysmakingvariousexclamationssuchas,"Thatistotallyincomprehensibletome!"or"Nowjusttellme,whatareyousupposedtomakeofthat?!"TheyoungmanpretendedtonoticenothingofthisandlistenedtoK.'sinstructionsthroughtotheend,hemadeafewnotes,bowedtobothK.andhisuncleandthenlefttheroom.K.'sunclehadturnedhisbacktohimandwaslookingoutthewindow,bunchingupthecurtainswithhisoutstretchedhands.Thedoorhadhardlyclosedwhenhecalledout,"Atlast!Nowthathe'sstoppedjumpingaboutwecangotoo!"Oncetheywereinthefronthallofthebank,whereseveralmembersofstaffwerestandingaboutandwhere,justthen,thedeputydirectorwaswalkingacross,therewasunfortunatelynowayofstoppingK.'sunclefromcontinuallyaskingquestionsaboutthetrial."Nowthen,Josef,"hebegan,lightlyacknowledgingthebowsfromthosearoundthemastheypassed,"tellmeeverythingaboutthistrial;whatsortoftrialisit?"K.madeafewcommentswhichconveyedlittleinformation,evenlaughedalittle,anditwasonlywhentheyreachedthefrontstepsthatheexplainedtohisunclethathehadnotwantedtotalkopenlyinfrontofthosepeople."Quiteright,"saidhisuncle

,"butnowstarttalking."Withhisheadtooneside,andsmokinghiscigarinshort,impatientdraughts,helistened."Firstofall,Uncle,"saidK.,"it'snotatriallikeyou'dhaveinanormalcourtroom.""Somuchtheworse,"saidhisuncle."How'sthat?"askedK.,lookingathim."WhatImeanis,that'sfortheworse,"herepeated.Theywerestandingonthefrontstepsofthebank;asthedoorkeeperseemedtobelisteningtowhattheyweresayingK.drewhisuncledownfurther,wheretheywereabsorbedintothebustleofthestreet.HisuncletookK.'sarmandstoppedaskingquestionswithsuchurgencyaboutthetrial,theywalkedonforawhileinsilence."Buthowdidallthiscomeabout?"heeventuallyasked,stoppingabruptlyenoughtostartlethepeoplewalkingbehind,whohadtoavoidwalkingintohim."Thingslikethisdon'tcomeallofasudden,theystartdevelopingalongtimebeforehand,theremusthavebeenwarningsignsofit,whydidn'tyouwritetome?YouknowI'ddoanythingforyou,tosomeextentIam

stillyourguardian,anduntiltodaythat'ssomethingIwasproudof.I'llstillhelpyou,ofcourseIwill,onlynow,nowthatthetrialisalreadyunderway,itmakesitverydifficult.Butwhatever;thebestthingnowisforyoutotakeashortholidaystayingwithusinthecountry.You'velostweight,Icanseethatnow.Thecountrylifewillgiveyoustrength,thatwillbegood,there'sboundtobealotofhardworkaheadofyou.Butbesidesthatit'llbeawayofgettingyouawayfromthecourt,tosomeextent.Herethey'vegoteverymeansofshowingthepowersattheirdisposalandthey'reautomaticallyboundtousethemagainstyou;inthecountrythey'lleitherhavetodelegateauthoritytodifferentbodiesorjusthavetotryandbotheryoubyletter,telegramortelephone.Andthat'sboundtoweakentheeffect,itwon'treleaseyoufromthembutit'llgiveyouroomtobreathe.""Youcouldforbidmetoleave,"saidK.,whohadbeendrawnslightlyintohisuncle'swayofthinkingbywhathehadbeensaying."Idid

n'tthinkyouwoulddoit,"saidhisunclethoughtfully,"youwon'tsuffertoomuchlossofpowerbymovingaway."K.graspedhisuncleunderthearmtopreventhimstoppingstillandsaid,"Ithoughtyou'dthinkallthisislessimportantthanIdo,andnowyou'retakingitsohard.""Josef,"calledhisuncletryingtodisentanglehimselffromhimsothathecouldstopwalking,butK.didnotletgo,"you'vecompletelychanged,youusedtobesoastute,areyoulosingitnow?Doyouwanttolosethetrial?Doyourealisewhatthatwouldmean?Thatwouldmeanyouwouldbesimplydestroyed.Andthateveryoneyouknowwouldbepulleddownwithyouorattheveryleasthumiliated,disgracedrightdowntotheground.Josef,pullyourselftogether.Thewayyou'resoindifferentaboutit,it'sd



rivingmemad.LookingatyouIcanalmostbelievethatoldsaying:'Havingatriallikethatmeanslosingatriallikethat'.""MydearUncle,"saidK.,"itwon'tdoanygoodtogetexcited,it'snogoodforyoutodoitandit'dbenogoodformetodoit.Thecasewon'tbewonbygettingexcited,andpleaseadmitthatmypracticalexperiencecountsforsomething,justasIhavealwaysandstilldorespectyourexperience,evenwhenitsurprisesme.Yousaythatthefamilywillalsobeaffectedbythistrial;Ireallycan'tseehow,butthat'sbesidethepointandI'mquitewillingtofollowyourinstructionsinallofthis.Only,Idon'tseeanyadvantageinstayinginthecountry,notevenforyou,asthatwouldindicateflightandasenseofguilt.Andbesides,althoughIammoresubjecttopersecutionifIstayinthecityIcanalsopressthematterforwardbetterhere.""You'reright,"saidhisuncleinatonethatseemedtoindicatetheywerefinallycomingclosertoeachother,"Ijustmadethesuggestionbecause,asIsawit,ifyoustayinthecitythecasewillbeputindangerbyyourindifferencetoit,andIthoughtitwasbetterifIdidtheworkforyou.Butwillyoupushthingsforwardyourselfwithallyourstrength,ifso,thatwillnaturallybefarbetter.""We'reagreedthen,"saidK."AnddoyouhaveanysuggestionsforwhatIshoulddonext?""Well,naturallyI'llhavetothinkaboutit,"saidhisuncle,"youmustbearinmindthatI'vebeenlivinginthecountryfortwentyyearsnow,almostwithoutabreak,youloseyourabilitytodealwithmatterslikethis.ButIdohavesomeimportantconnectionswithseveralpeoplewho,Iexpect,knowtheirwayaroundthesethingsbetterthanIdo,andtocontactthemisamatterofcourse.OutthereinthecountryI'vebeengettingoutofcondition,I'msureyou'realreadyawareofthat.It'sonlyattimeslikethisthaty

ounoticeityourself.Andthisaffairofyourscamelargelyunexpected,although,oddlyenough,IhadexpectedsomethingofthesortafterI'dreadErna'sletter,andtodaywhenIsawyourfaceIknewitwithalmosttotalcertainty.Butallthatisbytheby,theimportantthingnowis,wehavenotimetolose."Evenwhilehewasstillspeaking,K.'sunclehadstoodontiptoetosummonataxiandnowhepulledK.intothecarbehindhimselfashecalledoutanaddresstothedriver."We'regoingnowtoseeDr.Huld,thelawyer,"hesaid,"wewereatschooltogether.I'msureyouknowthename,don'tyou?No?Wellthatisodd.He'sgotaverygoodreputationasadefencebarristerandforworkingwiththepoor.ButIesteemhimespeciallyassomeoneyoucantrust.""It'salrightwithme,whateveryoudo,"saidK.,althoughhewasmadeuneasybytherushedandurgentwayhisunclewasdealingwiththematter.Itwasnotveryencouraging,astheaccused,betotakentoalawyerforpoorpeople."Ididn'tknow,"hesaid,"that

youcouldtakeonalawyerinmatterslikethis.""Wellofcourseyoucan,"saidhisuncle,"thatgoeswithoutsaying.Whywouldn'tyoutakeonalawyer?Andnow,sothatI'mproperlyinstructedinthismatter,tellmewhat'sbeenhappeningsofar."K.instantlybegantellinghisuncleaboutwhathadbeenhappening,holdingnothingback-beingcompletelyopenwithhimwastheonlywaythatK.couldprotestathisuncle'sbeliefthatthetrialwasagreatdisgrace.HementionedMissBürstner'snamejustonceandinpassing,butthatdidnothingtodiminishhisopennessaboutthetrialasMissBürstnerhadnoconnectionwithit.Ashespoke,helookedoutthewindowandsawhow,justthen,theyweregettingclosertothesuburbwherethecourtofficeswere.Hedrewthistohisuncle'sattention,buthedidnotfindthecoincidenceespeciallyremarkable.Thetaxistoppedinfrontofadarkbuilding.K.'suncleknockedattheveryfirstdooratgroundlevel;whiletheywaitedhesmiled,showinghisbigteeth,andwhispered,"Eight

o'clock;nottheusualsortoftimetobevisitingalawyer,butHuldwon'tminditfromme."Twolarge,blackeyesappearedinthespy-hatchinthedoor,theystaredatthetwovisitorsforawhileandthendisappeared;thedoor,however,didnotopen.K.andhisuncleconfirmedtoeachotherthefactthattheyhadseenthetwoeyes."Anewmaid,afraidofstrangers,"saidK.'suncle,andknockedagain.Theeyesappearedoncemore.Thistimetheyseemedalmostsad,buttheopengasflamethatburnedwithahisscloseabovetheirheadsgaveofflittlelightandthatmayhavemerelycreatedanillusion."Openthedoor,"calledK.'suncle,raisinghisfistagainstit,"wearefriendsofDr.Huld,thelawyer!""Dr.Huldisill,"whisperedsomeonebehindthem.Inadoorwayatthefarendofa



narrowpassagestoodamaninhisdressinggown,givingthemthisinformationinanextremelyquietvoice.K.'suncle,whohadalreadybeenmadeveryangrybythelongwait,turnedabruptlyroundandretorted,"Ill?Yousayhe'sill?"andstrodetowardsthegentlemaninawaythatseemedalmostthreatening,asifheweretheillnesshimself."They'veopenedthedoorforyou,now,"saidthegentleman,pointingatthedoorofthelawyer.Hepulledhisdressinggowntogetheranddisappeared.Thedoorhadindeedbeenopened,ayounggirl-K.recognisedthedark,slightlybulgingeyes-stoodinthehallwayinalongwhiteapron,holdingacandleinherhand."Nexttime,openupsooner!"saidK.'suncleinsteadofagreeting,whilethegirlmadeaslightcurtsey."Comealong,Josef,"hethensaidtoK.whowasslowlymovingovertowardsthegirl."Dr.Huldisunwell,"saidthegirlasK.'suncle,withoutstopping,rushedtowardsoneofthedoors.K.continuedtolookatthegirlinamazementassheturnedroundtoblockthewayintothelivingroom,shehadaroundfacelikeapuppy's,notonlythepalecheeksandthechinwereroundbutthetemplesandthehairlineweretoo."Josef!"calledhisuncleoncemore,andheaskedthegirl,"It'stroublewithhisheart,isit?""Ithinkitis,sir,"saidthegirl,whobynowhadfoundtimetogoaheadwiththecandleandopenthedoorintotheroom.Inonecorneroftheroom,wherethelightofthecandledidnotreach,afacewithalongbeardlookedupfromthebed."Leni,who'sthiscomingin?"askedthelawyer,unabletorecognisehisguestsbecausehewasdazzledbythecandle."It'syouroldfriend,Albert,"saidK.'suncle."Oh,Albert,"saidthelawyer,fallingbackontohispillowasifthisvisitmeanthewouldnotneedtokeepupappearances."Isitreallyasbadasthat?"askedK.'suncle,sittingontheedgeofthebed."Idon'tbelie

veitis.It'sarecurrenceofyourhearttroubleandit'llpassoverliketheothertimes.""Maybe,"saidthelawyerquietly,"butit'sjustasmuchtroubleasit'severbeen.Icanhardlybreathe,Ican'tsleepatallandI'mgettingweakerbytheday.""Isee,"saidK.'suncle,pressinghispanamahatfirmlyagainsthiskneewithhisbighand."Thatisbadnews.Butareyougettingtherightsortofcare?Andit'ssodepressinginhere,it'ssodark.It'salongtimesinceIwaslasthere,butitseemedtomefriendlierthen.Evenyouryoungladyheredoesn'tseemtohavemuchlifeinher,unlessshe'sjustpretending."Themaidwasstillstandingbythedoorwiththecandle;asfarascouldbemadeout,shewaswatchingK.morethanshewaswatchinghisuncleevenwhilethelatterwasstillspeakingabouther.K.leantagainstachairthathehadpushedneartothegirl."Whenyou'reasillasIam,"saidthelawyer,"youneedtohavepeace.Idon'tfinditdepressing."Afterashortpauseheadded,"andLenilooksafter

mewell,she'sagoodgirl."ButthatwasnotenoughtopersuadeK.'suncle,hehadvisiblytakenagainsthisfriend'scarerand,eventhoughhedidnotcontradicttheinvalid,hepersecutedherwithhisscowlasshewentovertothebed,putthecandleonthebedsidetableand,leaningoverthebed,madeafussofhimbytidyingthepillows.K.'sunclenearlyforgottheneedtoshowanyconsiderationforthemanwholayillinbed,hestoodup,walkedupanddownbehindthecarer,andK.wouldnothavebeensurprisedifhehadgrabbedholdofherskirtsbehindheranddraggedherawayfromthebed.K.himselflookedoncalmly,hewasnotevendisappointedatfindingthelawyerunwell,hehadbeenabletodonothingtoopposetheenthusiasmhisunclehaddevelopedforthematter,hewasgladthatthisenthusiasmhadnowbeendistractedwithouthishavingtodoanythingaboutit.Hisuncle,probablysimplywishingtobeoffensivetothelawyer'sattendant,thensaid,"Younglady,nowpleaseleaveusaloneforawhile,Ihave

somepersonalmatterstodiscusswithmyfriend."Dr.Huld'scarerwasstillleantfarovertheinvalid'sbedandsmoothingouttheclothcoveringthewallnexttoit,shemerelyturnedherheadandthen,instrikingcontrastwiththeangerthatfirststoppedK.'sunclefromspeakingandthenletthewordsoutinagush,shesaidveryquietly,"YoucanseethatDr.Huldissoillthathecan'tdiscussanymattersatall."ItwasprobablyjustforthesakeofconveniencethatshehadrepeatedthewordsspokenbyK.'suncle,butanonlookermightevenhaveperceiveditasmockinghimandhe,ofcourse,jumpedupasifhehadjustbeenstabbed."Youdamned…,"inthefirstgurglingsofhisexcitementhiswordscouldhardlybeunderstood,K.wasstartledeventhoughhehadbeenexpectingsometh



ingofthesortandrantohisunclewiththeintention,nodoubt,ofclosinghismouthwithbothhishands.Fortunately,though,behindthegirl,theinvalidraisedhimselfup,K.'sunclemadeanuglyfaceasifswallowingsomethingdisgustingandthen,somewhatcalmer,said,"Wehavenaturallynotlostoursenses,notyet;ifwhatIamaskingforwerenotpossibleIwouldnotbeaskingforit.Nowplease,go!"ThecarerstoodupstraightbythebeddirectlyfacingK.'suncle,K.thoughthenoticedthatwithonehandshewasstrokingthelawyer'shand."YoucansayanythinginfrontofLeni,"saidtheinvalid,inatonethatwasunmistakablyimploring."It'snotmybusiness,"saidK.'suncle,"andit'snotmysecrets."Andhetwistedhimselfroundasifwantingtogointonomorenegotiationsbutgivinghimselfalittlemoretimetothink."Whosebusinessisitthen?"askedthelawyerinanexhaustedvoiceasheleantbackagain."Mynephew's,"saidK.'suncle,"andI'vebroughthimalongwithme."Andheintroducedhim,"ChiefClerkJosefK.""Oh!"saidtheinvalid,nowwithmuchmorelifeinhim,andreachedouthishandtowardsK."Doforgiveme,Ididn'tnoticeyouthereatall."Thenhethensaidtohiscarer,"Leni,go,"stretchinghishandouttoherasifthiswereafarewellthatwouldhavetolastforalongtime.Thistimethegirlofferednoresistance."Soyou,"hefinallysaidtoK.'suncle,whohadalsocalmeddownandsteppedcloser,"youhaven'tcometovisitmebecauseI'millbutyou'vecomeonbusiness."Thelawyernowlookedsomuchstrongerthatitseemedtheideaofbeingvisitedbecausehewasillhadsomehowmadehimweak,heremainedsupportinghimselfofoneelbow,whichmusthavebeenrathertiring,andcontinuallypulledatalockofhairinthemiddleofhisbeard."Youalreadylookmuchbetter,"saidK.'suncle,"nowthatthatwitchhasgoneoutside."Hei

nterruptedhimself,whispered,"Ibetyoushe'slistening!"andsprangovertothedoor.Butbehindthedoortherewasno-one,K.'sunclecamebacknotdisappointed,ashernotlisteningseemedtohimworsethanifshehadbeen,butprobablysomewhatembittered."You'remistakenabouther,"saidthelawyer,butdidnothingmoretodefendher;perhapsthatwashiswayofindicatingthatshedidnotneeddefending.Butinatonethatwasmuchmorecommittedhewenton,"Asfarasyournephew'saffairsareconcerned,thiswillbeanextremelydifficultundertakingandI'dcountmyselfluckyifmystrengthlastedoutlongenoughforit;I'mgreatlyafraiditwon'tdo,butanywayIdon'twanttoleaveanythinguntried;ifIdon'tlastoutyoucanalwaysgetsomebodyelse.Tobehonest,thismatterinterestsmetoomuch,andIcan'tbringmyselftogiveupthechanceoftakingsomepartinit.Ifmyheartdoestotallygiveoutthenatleastitwillhavefoundaworthyaffairtofailin."K.believedheunderstoodnotawordofthi

sentirespeech,helookedathisuncleforanexplanationbuthisunclesatonthebedsidetablewiththecandleinhishand,amedicinebottlehadrolledoffthetableontothefloor,henoddedtoeverythingthelawyersaid,agreedtoeverything,andnowandthenlookedatK.urginghimtoshowthesamecompliance.MaybeK.'sunclehadalreadytoldthelawyeraboutthetrial.Butthatwasimpossible,everythingthathadhappenedsofarspokeagainstit.Sohesaid,"Idon'tunderstand…""Well,maybeI'vemisunderstoodwhatyou'vebeensaying,"saidthelawyer,justasastonishedandembarrassedasK."PerhapsI'vebeengoingtoofast.Whatwasityouwantedtospeaktomeabout?Ithoughtitwastodowithyourtrial.""Ofcourseitis,"saidK.'suncle,whothenaskedK.,"Sowhatisityouwant?""Yes,buthowisitthatyouknowanythingaboutmeandmycase?"askedK."Oh,Isee,"saidthelawyerwithasmile."Iamalawyer,Imoveincourtcircles,peopletalkaboutvariousdifferentcasesandthemoreinterestingone

sstayinyourmind,especiallywhentheyconcernthenephewofafriend.There'snothingveryremarkableaboutthat.""Whatisityouwant,then?"askedK.'suncleoncemore,"Youseemsouneasyaboutit""Youmoveinthiscourt'scircles?"askedK."Yes,"saidthelawyer."You'reaskingquestionslikeachild,"saidK.'suncle."WhatcirclesshouldImovein,then,ifnotwithmembersofmyowndiscipline?"thelawyeradded.ItsoundedsoindisputablethatK.gavenoansweratall."ButyouworkintheHighCourt,notthatcourtintheattic,"hehadwantedtosaybutcouldnotbringhimselftoactuallyutterit."Youhavetorealise,"thelawyercontinued,inatoneasifhewereexplainingsomethingobvious,unnecessaryandincidental,"youhavetorealisethatIalsoderivegreatadva



ntageformyclientsfrommixingwiththosepeople,anddosoinmanydifferentways,it'snotsomethingyoucankeeptalkingaboutallthetime.I'matabitofadisadvantagenow,ofcourse,becauseofmyillness,butIstillgetvisitsfromsomegoodfriendsofmineatthecourtandIlearnoneortwothings.ItmightevenbethatIlearnmorethanmanyofthosewhoareinthebestofhealthandspendalldayincourt.AndI'mreceivingaverywelcomevisitrightnow,forinstance."Andhepointedintoadarkcorneroftheroom."Where?"askedK.,almostuncouthinhissurprise.Helookedrounduneasily;thelittlecandlegaveofffartoolittlelighttoreachasfarasthewallopposite.Andthen,somethingdidindeedbegintomovethereinthecorner.InthelightofthecandleheldupbyK.'suncleanelderlygentlemancouldbeseensittingbesideasmalltable.Hehadbeensittingthereforsolongwithoutbeingnoticedthathecouldhardlyhavebeenbreathing.Nowhestoodupwithagreatdealoffuss,clearlyunhappythatattentionhadbeendrawntohim.Itwasasif,byflappinghishandsaboutlikeshortwings,hehopedtodeflectanyintroductionsandgreetings,asifhewantedonnoaccounttodisturbtheothersbyhispresenceandseemedtobeexhortingthemtoleavehimbackinthedarkandforgetabouthisbeingthere.That,however,wassomethingthatcouldnolongerbegrantedhim."Youtookusbysurprise,yousee,"saidthelawyerinexplanation,cheerfullyindicatingtothegentlemanthatheshouldcomecloser,which,slowly,hesitatingly,lookingallaroundhim,butwithacertaindignity,hedid."Theofficedirector-oh,yes,forgiveme,Ihaven'tintroducedyou-thisismyfriendAlbertK.,thisishisnephew,thechiefclerkJosefK.,andthisistheofficedirector-so,theofficedirectorwaskindenoughtopaymeavisit.It'sonlypossibletoappreciatej

usthowvaluableavisitlikethisisifyou'vebeenletintothesecretofwhatapileofworktheofficedirectorhasheapedoverhim.Well,hecameanyway,wewerehavingapeacefulchat,asfarasIwasablewhenI'msoweak,andalthoughwehadn'ttoldLenishemustn'tletanyoneinasweweren'texpectinganyone,westillwouldratherhaveremainedalone,butthenalongcameyou,Albert,thumpingyourfistsonthedoor,theofficedirectormovedoverintothecornerpullinghistableandchairwithhim,butnowitturnsoutwemighthave,thatis,ifthat'swhatyouwish,wemighthavesomethingtodiscusswitheachotheranditwouldbegoodifwecanallcomebacktogetheragain.-Officedirector…,"hesaidwithhisheadononeside,pointingwithahumblesmiletoanarmchairnearthebed."I'mafraidI'llonlybeabletostayafewminutesmore,"smiledtheofficedirectorashespreadhimselfoutinthearmchairandlookedattheclock."Businesscalls.ButIwouldn'twanttomissthechanceofmeetingafriendof

myfriend."HeinclinedhisheadslightlytowardK.'suncle,whoseemedveryhappywithhisnewacquaintance,buthewasnotthesortofpersontoexpresshisfeelingsofdeferenceandrespondedtotheofficedirector'swordswithembarrassed,butloud,laughter.Ahorriblesight!K.wasabletoquietlywatcheverythingasnobodypaidanyattentiontohim,theofficedirectortookoverasleaderoftheconversationasseemedtobehishabitoncehehadbeencalledforward,thelawyerlistenedattentivelywithhishandtohisear,hisinitialweaknesshavingperhapsonlyhadthefunctionofdrivingawayhisnewvisitors,K.'suncleservedascandle-bearer-balancingthecandleonhisthighwhiletheofficedirectorfrequentlyglancednervouslyatit-andwassoonfreeofhisembarrassmentandwasquicklyenchantednotonlybytheofficedirector'sspeakingmannerbutalsobythegentle,wavinghand-movementswithwhichheaccompaniedit.K.,leaningagainstthebedpost,wastotallyignoredbytheofficedirector,perhapsd

eliberately,andservedtheoldmanonlyasaudience.Andbesides,hehadhardlyanyideawhattheconversationwasaboutandhisthoughtssoonturnedtothecareassistantandtheilltreatmentshehadsufferedfromhisuncle.Soonafter,hebegantowonderwhetherhehadnotseentheofficedirectorsomewherebefore,perhapsamongthepeoplewhowereathisfirsthearing.Hemayhavebeenmistaken,butthoughttheofficedirectormightwellhavebeenamongtheoldgentlemenwiththethinbeardsinthefirstrow.

Therewasthenanoisethateveryoneheardfromthehallwayasifsomethingofporcelainwerebeingbroken."I'llgoandseewhat'shappened,"saidK.,whoslow



lylefttheroomasifgivingtheothersthechancetostophim.Hehadhardlysteppedintothehallway,findinghisbearingsinthedarknesswithhishandstillfirmlyholdingthedoor,whenanothersmallhand,muchsmallerthanK.'sown,placeditselfonhisandgentlyshutthedoor.Itwasthecarerwhohadbeenwaitingthere."Nothinghashappened,"shewhisperedtohim,"Ijustthrewaplateagainstthewalltogetyououtofthere.""Iwasthinkingaboutyou,aswell,"repliedK.uneasily."Somuchthebetter,"saidthecarer."Comewithme".Afewstepsalong,theycametoafrostedglassdoorwhichthecareropenedforhim."Comeinhere,"shesaid.Itwasclearlythelawyer'soffice,fittedoutwithold,heavyfurniture,asfarascouldbeseeninthemoonlightwhichnowilluminatedjustasmall,rectangularsectionofthefloorbyeachofthethreebigwindows."Thisway,"saidthecarer,pointingtoadarktrunkwithacarved,woodenbackrest.Whenhehadsatdown,K.continuedtolookroundtheroom,itwasalargeroomwithahighceiling,theclientsofthislawyerforthepoormusthavefeltquitelostinit.K.thoughthecouldseethelittlestepswithwhichvisitorswouldapproachthemassivedesk.Butthenheforgotaboutallofthisandhadeyesonlyforthecarerwhosatveryclosebesidehim,almostpressinghimagainstthearmrest."Ididthink,"shesaid"youwouldcomeoutheretomebyyourselfwithoutmehavingtocallyoufirst.Itwasodd.Firstyoustareatmeassoonasyoucomein,andthenyoukeepmewaiting.AndyououghttocallmeLeni,too,"sheaddedquicklyandsuddenly,asifnomomentofthisconversationshouldbelost."Gladly,"saidK."Butasforitsbeingodd,Leni,that'seasytoexplain.Firstly,Ihadtolistentowhattheoldmenweresayingandcouldn'tleavewithoutagoodreason,butsecondlyI'mnotaboldperson,ifanythingI'mqui

teshy,andyou,Leni,youdidn'treallylooklikeyoucouldbewonoverinonestroke,either.""That'snotit,"saidLeni,layingonearmonthearmrestandlookingatK.,"youdidn'tlikeme,andIdon'tsupposeyoulikemenow,either.""Likingwouldn'tbeverymuch,"saidK.,evasively."Oh!"sheexclaimedwithasmile,thusmakinguseofK.'scommenttogainanadvantageoverhim.SoK.remainedsilentforawhile.Bynow,hehadbecomeusedtothedarknessintheroomandwasabletomakeoutvariousfixturesandfittings.Hewasespeciallyimpressedbyalargepicturehangingtotherightofthedoor,heleantforwardinordertoseeitbetter.Itdepictedamanwearingajudge'srobes;hewassittingonaloftythronegildedinawaythatshoneforthfromthepicture.Theoddthingaboutthepicturewasthatthisjudgewasnotsittingthereindignifiedcalmbuthadhisleftarmpressedagainstthebackandarmrest,hisrightarm,however,wascompletelyfreeandonlygraspedthearmrestwithhishand,asifaboutt

ojumpupanymomentinvigorousoutrageandmakesomedecisivecommentoreventopasssentence.Theaccusedwasprobablymeanttobeimaginedatthefootofthesteps,thetoponeofwhichcouldbeseeninthepicture,coveredwithayellowcarpet."Thatmightbemyjudge,"saidK.,pointingtothepicturewithonefinger."Iknowhim,"saidLenilookingupatthepicture,"hecomesherequiteoften.Thatpictureisfromwhenhewasyoung,buthecanneverhavelookedanythinglikeit,ashe'stiny,minutealmost.Butdespitethat,hehadhimselfmadetolookbiggerinthepictureashe'smadlyvain,justlikeeveryoneroundhere.ButevenI'mvainandthatmakesmeveryunhappythatyoudon'tlikeme."K.repliedtothatlastcommentmerelybyembracingLenianddrawinghertowardshim,shelayherheadquietlyonhisshoulder.Totherestofit,though,hesaid,"Whatrankishe?""He'sanexaminingjudge,"shesaid,takingholdofthehandwithwhichK.heldherandplayingwithhisfingers."Justanexaminingjudgeonc

eagain,"saidK.indisappointment,"theseniorofficialskeepthemselveshidden.Buthereheissittingonathrone.""That'salljustmadeup,"saidLeniwithherfacebentoverK.'shand,"reallyhe'ssittingonakitchenchairwithanoldhorseblanketfoldedoverit.Butdoyouhavetobealwaysthinkingaboutyourtrial?"sheaddedslowly."No,notatall,"saidK.,"Iprobablyeventhinktoolittleaboutit.""That'snotthemistakeyou'remaking,"saidLeni,"you'retoounyielding,that'swhatI'veheard.""Whosaidthat?"askedK.,hefeltherbodyagainsthischestandlookeddownonherrich,dark,tightly-boundhair."I'dbesayingtoomuchifItoldyouthat,"answeredLeni."Pleasedon'taskfornames,butdostopmakingthesemistakesofyours,stopbeingsounyielding,the



re'snothingyoucandotodefendyourselffromthiscourt,youhavetoconfess.Soconfesstothemassoonasyougetthechance.It'sonlythenthattheygiveyouthechancetogetaway,nottillthen.Only,withouthelpfromoutsideeventhat'simpossible,butyouneedn'tworryaboutgettingthishelpasIwanttohelpyoumyself.""Youunderstandalotaboutthiscourtandwhatsortoftricksareneeded,"saidK.asheliftedher,sinceshewaspressinginmuchtooclosetohim,ontohislap."That'salright,then,"shesaid,andmadeherselfcomfortableonhislapbysmoothingoutherskirtandadjustingherblouse.Thenshehungbothherarmsaroundhisneck,leantbackandtookalonglookathim."AndwhatifIdon'tconfess,couldyounothelpmethen?"askedK.totestherout.I'maccumulatingwomentohelpme,hethoughttohimselfalmostinamazement,firstMissBürstner,thenthecourtusher'swife,andnowthislittlecareassistantwhoseemstohavesomeincomprehensibleneedforme.Thewayshesitsonmylapasifitwereherproperplace!"No,"answeredLeni,slowlyshakingherhead,"Icouldn'thelpyouthen.Butyoudon'twantmyhelpanyway,itmeansnothingtoyou,you'retoostubbornandwon'tbepersuaded."Then,afterawhilesheasked,"Doyouhavealover?""No,"saidK."Oh,youmusthave,"shesaid."Well,Ihavereally,"saidK."Justthink,I'veevenbetrayedherwhileI'mcarryingherphotographwithme."LeniinsistedheshowheraphotographofElsa,andthen,hunchedonhislap,studiedthepictureclosely.ThephotographwasnotonethathadbeentakenwhileElsawasposingforit,itshowedherjustaftershehadbeeninawilddancesuchasshelikedtodoinwinebars,herskirtwasstillflungoutasshespanround,shehadplacedherhandsonherfirmhipsand,withherneckheldtaut,lookedtoonesidewithalaugh;youcouldnotseefromthepic

turewhomherlaughwasintendedfor."She'sverytightlylaced,"saidLeni,pointingtotheplacewhereshethoughtthiscouldbeseen."Idon'tlikeher,she'sclumsyandcrude.Butmaybeshe'sgentleandfriendlytowardsyou,that'stheimpressionyougetfromthepicture.Big,stronggirlslikethatoftendon'tknowhowtobeanythingbutgentleandfriendly.Wouldshebecapableofsacrificingherselfforyou,though?""No,"saidK.,"sheisn'tgentleorfriendly,andnorwouldshebecapableofsacrificingherselfforme.ButI'veneveryetaskedanyofthosethingsofher.I'veneverlookedatthispictureascloselyasyou.""Youcan'tthinkmuchofher,then,"saidLeni."Shecan'tbeyourloverafterall.""Yessheis,"saidK.,"I'mnotgoingtotakemywordbackonthat.""Wellshemightbeyourlovernow,then,"saidLeni,"butyouwouldn'tmisshermuchifyoulostherorifyouexchangedherforsomebodyelse,meforinstance.""Thatiscertainlyconceivable,"saidK.withasmile,"butshedoeshaveonemajor

advantageoveryou,sheknowsnothingaboutmytrial,andevenifshedidshewouldn'tthinkaboutit.Shewouldn'ttrytopersuademetobelessunyielding.""Wellthat'snoadvantage,"saidLeni."Ifshe'sgotnoadvantageotherthanthat,Icankeeponhoping.Hasshegotanybodilydefects?""'Bodilydefects'?"askedK."Yeah,"saidLeni,"asIdohaveabodilydefect,justalittleone.Look."Shespreadthemiddleandringfingersofherrighthandapartfromeachother.Betweenthosefingerstheflapofskinconnectingthemreachedupalmostasfarasthetopjointofthelittlefinger.Inthedarkness,K.didnotseeatfirstwhatitwasshewantedtoshowhim,sosheledhishandtoitsothathecouldfeel."Whatafreakofnature,"saidK.,andwhenhehadtakenalookatthewholehandheadded,"Whataprettyclaw!"LenilookedonwithakindofprideasK.repeatedlyopenedandclosedhertwofingersinamazement,until,finally,hebrieflykissedthemandletgo."Oh!"sheimmediatelyexclaimed,"youkissedm

e!"Hurriedly,andwithhermouthopen,sheclamberedupK.'slapwithherknees.Hewasalmostaghastashelookedupather,nowthatshewassoclosetohimtherewasabitter,irritatingsmellfromher,likepepper,shegraspedhishead,leantoutoverhim,andbitandkissedhisneck,evenbitingintohishair."I'vetakenherplace!"sheexclaimedfromtimetotime."Justlook,nowyou'vetakenmeinsteadofher!"Justthen,herkneeslippedoutand,withalittlecry,shenearlyfelldownontothecarpet,K.triedtoholdherbyputtinghisarmsaroundherandwaspulleddownwithher."Nowyou'remine,"shesaid.Herlastwordstohimasheleftwere,"Here'sthekeytothedoor,comewheneveryouwant",andsheplantedanundirectedkissonhisback.Whenhesteppedoutthefront



doortherewasalightrainfalling,hewasabouttogotothemiddleofthestreettoseeifhecouldstillglimpseLeniatthewindowwhenK.'suncleleaptoutofacarthatK.,thinkingofotherthings,hadnotseenwaitingoutsidethebuilding.HetookholdofK.bybotharmsandshovedhimagainstthedoorasifhewantedtonailhimtoit."Youngman,"heshouted,"howcouldyoudoathinglikethat?!Thingsweregoingwellwiththisbusinessofyours,nowyou'vecauseditterribledamage.Youslipoffwithsomedirty,littlethingwho,moreover,isobviouslythelawyer'sbeloved,andstayawayforhours.Youdon'teventrytofindanexcuse,don'ttrytohideanything,no,you'requiteopenaboutit,yourunoffwithherandstaythere.Andmeanwhilewe'resittingthere,yourunclewho'sgoingtosucheffortforyou,thelawyerwhoneedstobewonovertoyourside,andabovealltheofficedirector,averyimportantgentlemanwhoisindirectcommandofyouraffairinitspresentstage.Wewantedtodiscusshowbesttohelpyou,Ihadtohandlethelawyerverycarefully,hehadtohandletheofficedirectorcarefully,andyouhadmostreasonofalltoatleastgivemesomesupport.Insteadofwhichyoustayaway.Eventuallywecouldn'tkeepupthepretenceanylonger,butthesearepoliteandhighlycapablemen,theydidn'tsayanythingaboutitsoastosparemyfeelingsbutintheendnoteventheycouldcontinuetoforcethemselvesand,astheycouldn'tspeakaboutthematterinhand,theybecamesilent.Wesatthereforseveralminutes,listeningtoseewhetheryouwouldn'tfinallycomeback.Allinvain.Intheendtheofficedirectorstoodup,ashehadstayedfarlongerthanhehadoriginallyintended,madehisfarewell,lookedatmeinsympathywithoutbeingabletohelp,hewaitedatthedoorforalongtimealthoughit'smorethanIcanunderstandwhyhewasbeingsogo

od,andthenhewent.I,ofcourse,wasgladhe'dgone,I'dbeenholdingmybreathallthistime.Allthishadevenmoreaffectonthelawyerlyingthereill,whenItookmyleaveofhim,thegoodman,hewasquiteunabletospeak.Youhaveprobablycontributedtohistotalcollapseandsobroughttheverymanwhoyouaredependentonclosertohisdeath.Andme,yourownuncle,youleavemehereintherain-justfeelthis,I'mwetrightthrough-waitinghereforhours,sickwithworry."ChapterSevenLawyer-Manufacturer-Painter

Onewintermorning-snowwasfallinginthedulllightoutside-K.wassittinginhisoffice,alreadyextremelytireddespitetheearlyhour.Hehadtoldtheservitorhewasengagedinamajorpieceofworkandnoneofthejuniorstaffshouldbeallowedintoseehim,sohewouldnotbedisturbedbythematleast.Bu

tinsteadofworkingheturnedroundinhischair,slowlymovedvariousitemsaroundhisdesk,butthen,withoutbeingawareofit,helayhisarmstretchedoutonthedesktopandsatthereimmobilewithhisheadsunkdownonhischest.

Hewasnolongerabletogetthethoughtofthetrialoutofhishead.Hehadoftenwonderedwhetheritmightnotbeagoodideatoworkoutawrittendefenceandhanditintothecourt.Itwouldcontainashortdescriptionofhislifeandexplainwhyhehadactedthewayhehadateacheventthatwasinanywayimportant,whetherhenowconsideredhehadactedwellorill,andhisreasonsforeach.Therewasnodoubtoftheadvantagesawrittendefenceofthissortwouldhaveoverrelyingonthelawyer,whowasanywaynotwithouthisshortcomings.K.hadnoideawhatactionsthelawyerwastaking;itwascertainlynotalot,itwasmorethanamonthsincethelawyerhadsummonedhim,andnoneoftheprevious

discussionshadgivenK.theimpressionthatthismanwouldbeabletodomuchforhim.Mostimportantly,hehadaskedhimhardlyanyquestions.Andthereweresomanyquestionsheretobeasked.Askingquestionswerethemostimportantthing.K.hadthefeelingthathewouldbeabletoaskallthequestionsneededherehimself.Thelawyer,incontrast,didnotaskquestionsbutdidallthetalkinghimselforsatsilentlyfacinghim,leantforwardslightlyoverthedesk,probablybecausehewashardofhearing,pulledonastrandofhairinthemiddleofhisbeardandlookeddownatthecarpet,perhapsattheveryspotwhereK.hadlainwithLeni.NowandthenhewouldgiveK.somevaguewarningofthesortyougivetochildren.Hisspeecheswereaspointlessastheywereboring,andK.de



cidedthatwhenthefinalbillcamehewouldpaynotapennyforthem.OncethelawyerthoughthehadhumiliatedK.sufficiently,heusuallystartedsomethingthatwouldraisehisspiritsagain.Hehadalready,hewouldthensay,wonmanysuchcases,partlyorinwhole,caseswhichmaynotreallyhavebeenasdifficultasthisonebutwhich,onthefaceofit,hadevenlesshopeofsuccess.Hehadalistofthesecaseshereinthedrawer-herehewouldtapononeorotherofthedrawersinhisdesk-butcould,unfortunately,notshowthemtoK.astheydealtwithofficialsecrets.Nonetheless,thegreatexperiencehehadacquiredthroughallthesecaseswould,ofcourse,beofbenefittoK.Hehad,ofcourse,begunworkstraightawayandwasnearlyreadytosubmitthefirstdocuments.Theywouldbeveryimportantbecausethefirstimpressionmadebythedefencewilloftendeterminethewholecourseoftheproceedings.Unfortunately,though,hewouldstillhavetomakeitcleartoK.thatthefirstdocumentssubmittedaresometimesnotevenreadbythecourt.Theysimplyputthemwiththeotherdocumentsandpointoutthat,forthetimebeing,questioningandobservingtheaccusedaremuchmoreimportantthananythingwritten.Iftheapplicantbecomesinsistent,thentheyaddthatbeforetheycometoanydecision,assoonasallthematerialhasbeenbroughttogether,withdueregard,ofcourse,toallthedocuments,thenthesefirstdocumentstohavebeensubmittedwillalsobecheckedover.Butunfortunately,eventhisisnotusuallytrue,thefirstdocumentssubmittedareusuallymislaidorlostcompletely,andeveniftheydokeepthemrighttotheendtheyarehardlyread,althoughthelawyeronlyknewaboutthisfromrumour.Thisisallveryregrettable,butnotentirelywithoutitsjustifications.ButK.shouldnotforgetthatthetrialwouldnotbepublic,ifthecourtdeemsit

necessaryitcanbemadepublicbutthereisnolawthatsaysithastobe.Asaresult,theaccusedandhisdefencedon'thaveaccesseventothecourtrecords,andespeciallynottotheindictment,andthatmeanswegenerallydon'tknow-oratleastnotprecisely-whatthefirstdocumentsneedtobeabout,whichmeansthatiftheydocontainanythingofrelevancetothecaseit'sonlybyaluckycoincidence.Ifanythingabouttheindividualchargesandthereasonsforthemcomesoutclearlyorcanbeguessedatwhiletheaccusedisbeingquestioned,thenit'spossibletoworkoutandsubmitdocumentsthatreallydirecttheissueandpresentproof,butnotbefore.Conditionslikethis,ofcourse,placethedefenceinaveryunfavourableanddifficultposition.Butthatiswhattheyintend.Infact,defenceisnotreallyallowedunderthelaw,it'sonlytolerated,andthereisevensomedisputeaboutwhethertherelevantpartsofthelawimplyeventhat.Sostrictlyspeaking,thereisnosuchthingasacounselacknowledge

dbythecourt,andanyonewhocomesbeforethiscourtascounselisbasicallynomorethanabarrackroomlawyer.Theeffectofallthis,ofcourse,istoremovethedignityofthewholeprocedure,thenexttimeK.isinthecourtofficeshemightliketohavealookinatthelawyers'room,justsothathe'sseenit.Hemightwellbequiteshockedbythepeopleheseesassembledthere.Theroomthey'vebeenallocated,withitsnarrowspaceandlowceiling,willbeenoughtoshowwhatcontemptthecourthasforthesepeople.Theonlylightintheroomcomesthroughalittlewindowthatissohighupthat,ifyouwanttolookoutofit,youfirsthavetogetoneofyourcolleaguestosupportyouonhisback,andeventhenthesmokefromthechimneyjustinfrontofitwillgoupyournoseandmakeyourfaceblack.Inthefloorofthisroom-togiveyetanotherexampleoftheconditionsthere-thereisaholethat'sbeenthereformorethanayear,it'snotsobigthatamancouldfallthrough,butitisbigenoughforyour

foottodisappearthroughit.Thelawyers'roomisonthesecondflooroftheattic;ifyourfootdoesgothroughitwillhangdownintothefirstflooroftheatticunderneathit,andrightinthecorridorwherethelitigantsarewaiting.It'snoexaggerationwhenlawyerssaythatconditionslikethatareadisgrace.Complaintstothemanagementdon'thavetheslightesteffect,butthelawyersarestrictlyforbiddentoalteranythingintheroomattheirownexpense.Buteventreatingthelawyersinthiswayhasitsreasons.Theywant,asfaraspossible,topreventanykindofdefence,everythingshouldbemadetheresponsibilityoftheaccused.Notabadpointofview,basically,butnothingcouldbemoremistakenthantothinkfromthatthatlawyersarenotnecessaryfortheaccusedi



nthiscourt.Onthecontrary,thereisnocourtwheretheyarelessneededthanhere.Thisisbecauseproceedingsaregenerallykeptsecretnotonlyfromthepublicbutalsofromtheaccused.Onlyasfarasthatispossible,ofcourse,butitispossibletoaverylargeextent.Andtheaccuseddoesn'tgettoseethecourtrecordseither,andit'sverydifficulttoinferwhat'sinthecourtrecordsfromwhat'sbeensaidduringquestioningbasedonthem,especiallyfortheaccusedwhoisinadifficultsituationandisfacedwitheverypossibleworrytodistracthim.Thisiswhenthedefencebegins.Counselforthedefencearenotnormallyallowedtobepresentwhiletheaccusedisbeingquestioned,soafterwards,andifpossiblestillatthedooroftheinterviewroom,hehastolearnwhathecanaboutitfromhimandextractwhateverhecanthatmightbeofuse,eventhoughwhattheaccusedhastoreportisoftenveryconfused.Butthatisnotthemostimportantthing,asthere'sreallynotalotthatcanbelearnedinthisway,althoughinthis,aswithanythingelse,acompetentmanwilllearnmorethananother.Nonetheless,themostimportantthingisthelawyer'spersonalconnections,that'swheretherealvalueoftakingcounsellies.NowK.willmostlikelyhavealreadylearnedfromhisownexperiencethat,amongitsverylowestorders,thecourtorganisationdoeshaveitsimperfections,thecourtisstrictlyclosedtothepublic,butstaffwhoforgettheirdutyorwhotakebribesdo,tosomeextent,showwherethegapsare.Thisiswheremostlawyerswillpushtheirwayin,thisiswherebribesarepaidandinformationextracted,therehaveeven,inearliertimesatleast,beenincidentswheredocumentshavebeenstolen.There'snodenyingthatsomesurprisinglyfavourableresultshavebeenattainedfortheaccusedinthisway,foralimitedtime,andthesepettyadvocatesthens

truttoandfroonthebasisofthemandattractnewclients,butforthefurthercourseoftheproceedingsitsignifieseithernothingornothinggood.Theonlythingsofrealvaluearehonestpersonalcontacts,contactswithhigherofficials,albeithigherofficialsofthelowergrades,youunderstand.Thatistheonlywaytheprogressofthetrialcanbeinfluenced,hardlynoticeableatfirst,it'strue,butfromthenonitbecomesmoreandmorevisible.Thereare,ofcourse,notmanylawyerswhocandothis,andK.hasmadeaverygoodchoiceinthismatter.TherewereprobablynomorethanoneortwowhohadasmanycontactsasDr.Huld,buttheydon'tbotherwiththecompanyofthelawyers'roomandhavenothingtodowithit.Thismeanstheyhaveallthelesscontactwiththecourtofficials.ItisnotatallnecessaryforDr.Huldtogotothecourt,waitintheante-roomsfortheexaminingjudgestoturnup,iftheyturnup,andtrytoachievesomethingwhich,accordingtothejudges'moodisusuallymoreapparentt

hanrealandmostoftennoteventhat.No,K.hasseenforhimselfthatthecourtofficials,includingsomewhoarequitehighup,comeforwardwithoutbeingasked,aregladtogiveinformationwhichisfullyopenoratleasteasytounderstand,theydiscussthenextstagesintheproceedings,infactinsomecasestheycanbewonoverandarequitewillingtoadopttheotherperson'spointofview.However,whenthishappens,youshouldnevertrustthemtoofar,ashoweverfirmlytheymayhavedeclaredthisnewpointofviewinfavourofthedefendanttheymightwellgostraightbacktotheirofficesandwriteareportforthecourtthatsaysjusttheopposite,andmightwellbeevenharderonthedefendantthantheoriginalview,theonetheyinsistthey'vebeenfullydissuadedfrom.And,ofcourse,there'snowayofdefendingyourselffromthis,somethingsaidinprivateisindeedinprivateandcannotthenbeusedinpublic,it'snotsomethingthatmakesiteasyforthedefencetokeepthosegentlemen'sfavour.Ontheot

herhand,it'salsotruethatthegentlemendon'tbecomeinvolvedwiththedefence-whichwillofcoursebedonewithgreatexpertise-justforphilanthropicreasonsorinordertobefriendly,insomerespectsitwouldbetruertosaythatthey,too,haveitallocatedtothem.Thisiswherethedisadvantagesofacourtstructurethat,rightfromthestart,stipulatesthatallproceedingstakeplaceinprivate,comeintoforce.Innormal,mediocretrialsitsofficialshavecontactwiththepublic,andthey'reverywellequippedforit,butheretheydon't;normaltrialsruntheircourseallbythemselves,almost,andjustneedanudgehereandthere;butwhenthey'refacedwithcasesthatareespeciallydifficultthey'reaslostastheyoftenarewithonesthatareverysimple;they'ref



orcedtospendalltheirtime,dayandnight,withtheirlaws,andsotheydon'thavetherightfeelforhumanrelationships,andthat'saseriousshortcomingincaseslikethis.That'swhentheycomeforadvicetothelawyer,withaservantbehindthemcarryingthedocumentswhichnormallyarekeptsosecret.Youcouldhaveseenmanygentlemenatthiswindow,gentlemenofwhomyouwouldleastexpectit,staringoutthiswindowindespaironthestreetbelowwhilethelawyerisathisdeskstudyingthedocumentssothathecangivethemgoodadvice.Andattimeslikethatit'salsopossibletoseehowexceptionallyseriouslythesegentlementaketheirprofessionsandhowtheyarethrownintogreatconfusionbydifficultieswhichit'sjustnotintheirnaturestoovercome.Butthey'renotinaneasyposition,toregardtheirpositionsaseasywouldbetodothemaninjustice.Thedifferentranksandhierarchiesofthecourtareendless,andevensomeonewhoknowshiswayaroundthemcannotalwaystellwhat'sgoingtohappen.Butevenforthejuniorofficials,theproceedingsinthecourtroomsareusuallykeptsecret,sotheyarehardlyabletoseehowthecasestheyworkwithproceed,courtaffairsappearintheirrangeofvisionoftenwithouttheirknowingwheretheycomefromandtheymoveonfurtherwithouttheirlearningwheretheygo.Socivilservantslikethisarenotabletolearnthethingsyoucanlearnfromstudyingthesuccessivestagesthatindividualtrialsgothrough,thefinalverdictorthereasonsforit.They'reonlyallowedtodealwiththatpartofthetrialwhichthelawallocatesthem,andtheyusuallyknowlessabouttheresultsoftheirworkafterit'sleftthemthanthedefencedoes,eventhoughthedefencewillusuallystayincontactwiththeaccuseduntilthetrialisnearlyatitsend,sothatthecourtofficialscanlearnmanyusefulthingsfromthedefence.

Bearingallthisinmind,doesitstillsurpriseK.thattheofficialsareirritatedandoftenexpressthemselvesaboutthelitigantsinunflatteringways-whichisanexperiencesharedbyeveryone.Alltheofficialsareirritated,evenwhentheyappearcalm.Thiscausesmanydifficultiesforthejunioradvocates,ofcourse.Thereisastory,forinstance,thathasverymuchtheringoftruthaboutit.Itgoeslikethis:Oneoftheolderofficials,agoodandpeacefulman,wasdealingwithadifficultmatterforthecourtwhichhadbecomeveryconfused,especiallythankstothecontributionsfromthelawyers.Hehadbeenstudyingitforadayandanightwithoutabreak-astheseofficialsareindeedhardworking,no-oneworksashardastheydo.Whenitwasnearlymorning,andhehadbeenworkingfortwenty-fourhourswithprobablyverylittleresult,hewenttothefrontentrance,waitedthereinambush,andeverytimealawyertriedtoenterthebuildinghewouldthrowhimdownthesteps.Thelawyersgatheredtogether

downinfrontofthestepsanddiscussedwitheachotherwhattheyshoulddo;ontheonehandtheyhadactuallynorighttobeallowedintothebuildingsothattherewashardlyanythingthattheycouldlegallydototheofficialand,asI'vealreadymentioned,theywouldhavetobecarefulnottosetalltheofficialsagainstthem.Ontheotherhand,anydaynotspentincourtisadaylostforthemanditwasamatterofsomeimportancetoforcetheirwayinside.Intheend,theyagreedthattheywouldtrytotiretheoldmanout.Onelawyerafteranotherwassentouttorunupthestepsandlethimselfbethrowndownagain,offeringwhatresistancehecouldaslongasitwaspassiveresistance,andhiscolleagueswouldcatchhimatthebottomofthesteps.Thatwentonforaboutanhouruntiltheoldgentleman,whowasalreadyexhaustedfromworkingallnight,wasverytiredandwentbacktohisoffice.Thosewhowereatthebottomofthestepscouldnotbelieveitatfirst,sotheysentsomebodyouttogoandlookbehind

thedoortoseeiftherereallywasno-onethere,andonlythendidtheyallgathertogetherandprobablydidn'tevendaretocomplain,asit'sfarfrombeingthelawyers'jobtointroduceanyimprovementsinthecourtsystem,oreventowantto.Eventhemostjuniorlawyercanunderstandtherelationshiptheretosomeextent,butonesignificantpointisthatalmosteverydefendant,evenverysimplepeople,beginstothinkofsuggestionsforimprovingthecourtassoonashisproceedingshavebegun,manyofthemoftenevenspendtimeandenergyonthematterthatcouldbespentfarbetterelsewhere.Theonlyrightthingtodoistolearnhowtodealwiththesituationasitis.Evenifitwerepossibletoimproveanydetailofit-whichisanywaynomorethansuperstitiousnonsense-th



ebestthattheycouldachieve,althoughdoingthemselvesincalculableharmintheprocess,isthattheywillhaveattractedthespecialattentionoftheofficialsforanycasethatcomesupinthefuture,andtheofficialsarealwaysreadytoseekrevenge.Neverattractattentiontoyourself!Staycalm,howevermuchitgoesagainstyourcharacter!Trytogainsomeinsightintothesizeofthecourtorganismandhow,tosomeextent,itremainsinastateofsuspension,andthatevenifyoualtersomethinginoneplaceyou'lldrawthegroundoutfromunderyourfeetandmightfall,whereasifanenormousorganismlikethecourtisdisruptedinanyoneplaceitfindsiteasytoprovideasubstituteforitselfsomewhereelse.Everythingisconnectedwitheverythingelseandwillcontinuewithoutanychangeorelse,whichisquiteprobable,evenmoreclosed,moreattentive,morestrict,moremalevolent.Soit'sbesttoleavetheworktothelawyersandnottokeepdisturbingthem.Itdoesn'tdomuchgoodtomakeaccusations,especiallyifyoucan'tmakeitclearwhatthey'rebasedonandtheirfullsignificance,butitmustbesaidthatK.causedagreatdealofharmtohisowncasebyhisbehaviourtowardstheofficedirector,hewasaveryinfluentialmanbutnowhemightaswellbestruckoffthelistofthosewhomightdoanythingforK.Ifthetrialismentioned,evenjustinpassing,it'squiteobviousthathe'signoringit.Theseofficialsareinmanywaysjustlikechildren.Often,somethingquiteharmless-althoughK.'sbehaviourcouldunfortunatelynotbecalledharmless-willleavethemfeelingsooffendedthattheywillevenstoptalkingwithgoodfriendsoftheirs,theyturnawaywhentheyseethemanddoeverythingtheycantoopposethem.Butthen,withnoparticularreason,surprisinglyenough,somelittlejokethatwasonlyeverattemptedbecauseeverythingseemedsohopel

esswillmakethemlaughandthey'llbereconciled.It'sbothdifficultandhardatthesametimetodealwiththem,andthere'shardlyanyreasonforit.It'ssometimesquiteastonishingthatasingle,averagelifeisenoughtoencompasssomuchthatit'satallpossibleevertohaveanysuccessinone'sworkhere.Ontheotherhand,therearealsodarkmoments,suchaseveryonehas,whenyouthinkyou'veachievednothingatall,whenitseemsthattheonlytrialstocometoagoodendarethosethatweredeterminedtohaveagoodendfromthestartandwoulddosowithoutanyhelp,whilealltheothersarelostdespitealltherunningtoandfro,alltheeffort,allthelittle,apparentsuccessesthatgavesuchjoy.Thenyounolongerfeelverysureofanythingand,ifaskedaboutatrialthatwasdoingwellbyitsownnaturebutwhichwasturnedfortheworsebecauseyouassistedinit,wouldnotevendaredenythat.Andeventhatisakindofself-confidence,butthenit'stheonlyonethat'sleft.Lawyersareespeciall

yvulnerabletofitsofdepressionofthatsort-andtheyarenomorethanfitsofdepressionofcourse-whenacaseissuddenlytakenoutoftheirhandsafterthey'vebeenconductingitsatisfactorilyforsometime.That'sprobablytheworstthatcanhappentoalawyer.It'snotthattheaccusedtakesthecaseawayfromhim,thathardlyeverhappens,onceadefendanthastakenonacertainlawyerhehastostaywithhimwhateverhappens.Howcouldheevercarryonbyhimselfafterhe'stakenonhelpfromalawyer?No,thatjustdoesn'thappen,butwhatdoessometimeshappenisthatthetrialtakesonacoursewherethelawyermaynotgoalongwithit.Clientandtrialarebothsimplytakenawayfromthelawyer;andthenevencontactwiththecourtofficialswon'thelp,howevergoodtheyare,astheydon'tknowanythingthemselves.Thetrialwillhaveenteredastagewherenomorehelpcanbegiven,whereit'sbeingprocessedincourtstowhichno-onehasanyaccess,wherethedefendantcannotevenbecontactedbyhislawy

er.Youcomehomeonedayandfindallthedocumentsyou'vesubmitted,whichyou'veworkedhardtocreateandwhichyouhadthebesthopesfor,lyingonthedesk,they'vebeensentbackastheycan'tbecarriedthroughtothenextstageinthetrial,they'rejustworthlessscrapsofpaper.Itdoesn'tmeanthatthecasehasbeenlost,notatall,oratleastthereisnodecisivereasonforsupposingso,it'sjustthatyoudon'tknowanythingmoreaboutthecaseandwon'tbetoldanythingofwhat'shappening.Well,caseslikethataretheexceptions,I'mgladtosay,andevenifK.'strialisoneofthem,it'sstill,forthetimebeing,alongwayoff.Buttherewasstillplentyofopportunityforlawyerstogettowork,andK.couldbesuretheywouldbemadeuseof.Ashehadsaid,thetim



eforsubmittingdocumentswasstillinthefutureandtherewasnorushtopreparethem,itwasmuchmoreimportanttostarttheinitialdiscussionswiththeappropriateofficials,andtheyhadalreadytakenplace.Withvaryingdegreesofsuccess,itmustbesaid.Itwasmuchbetternottogiveawayanydetailsbeforetheirtime,asinthatwayK.couldonlybeinfluencedunfavourablyandhishopesmightberaisedorhemightbemadetooanxious,betterjusttosaythatsomeindividualshavespokenveryfavourablyandshownthemselvesverywillingtohelp,althoughothershavespokenlessfavourably,buteventheyhavenotinanywayrefusedtohelp.Soallinall,theresultsareveryencouraging,onlyyoushouldcertainlynotdrawanyparticularconclusionsasallpreliminaryproceedingsbegininthesamewayanditwasonlythewaytheydevelopedfurtherthatwouldshowwhatthevalueofthesepreliminaryproceedingshasbeen.Anyway,nothinghasbeenlostyet,andifwecansucceedingettingtheofficedirector,despiteeverything,onourside-andseveralactionshavebeenundertakentothisend-theneverythingisacleanwound,asasurgeonwouldsay,andwecanwaitfortheresultswithsomecomfort.

Whenhestartedtalkingoninthiswaythelawyerwasquitetireless.HewentthroughitallagaineverytimeK.wenttoseehim.Therewasalwayssomeprogress,buthecouldneverbetoldwhatsortofprogressitwas.Thefirstsetofdocumentstobesubmittedwerebeingworkedonbutstillnotready,whichusuallyturnedouttobeagreatadvantagethenexttimeK.wenttoseehimastheearlieroccasionwouldhavebeenaverybadtimetoputthemin,whichtheycouldnotthenhaveknown.IfK.,stupefiedfromallthistalking,everpointedoutthatev

enconsideringallthesedifficultiesprogresswasveryslow,thelawyerwouldobjectthatprogresswasnotslowatall,butthattheymighthaveprogressedfarfurtherifK.hadcometohimattherighttime.Buthehadcometohimlateandthatlatenesswouldbringstillfurtherdifficulties,andnotonlywheretimewasconcerned.TheonlywelcomeinterruptionduringthesevisitswasalwayswhenLenicontrivedtobringthelawyerhisteawhileK.wasthere.ThenshewouldstandbehindK.-pretendingtowatchthelawyerashebentgreedilyoverhiscup,pouredtheteainanddrank-andsecretlyletK.holdherhand.Therewasalwayscompletesilence.Thelawyerdrank.K.squeezedLeni'shandandLeniwouldsometimesdaretogentlystrokeK.'shair."Stillhere,areyou?"thelawyerwouldaskwhenhewasready."Iwantedtotakethedishesaway,"saidLeni,theywouldgiveeachother'shandsafinalsqueeze,thelawyerwouldwipehismouthandthenstarttalkingatK.againwithrenewedenergy.

WasthelawyertryingtocomfortK.ortoconfusehim?K.couldnottell,butitseemedcleartohimthathisdefencewasnotingoodhands.Maybeeverythingthelawyersaidwasquiteright,eventhoughheobviouslywantedtomakehimselfasconspicuousaspossibleandprobablyhadnevereventakenonacaseasimportantashesaidK.'swas.Butitwasstillsuspicioushowhecontinuallymentionedhispersonalcontactswiththecivilservants.WeretheytobeexploitedsolelyforK.'sbenefit?Thelawyerneverforgottomentionthattheyweredealingonlywithjuniorofficials,whichmeantofficialswhoweredependentonothers,andthedirectiontakenineachtrialcouldbeimportantfortheirownfurtherment.Coulditbethattheyweremakinguseofthelawyertoturntrialsinacertaindirection,whichwould,ofcourse,alwaysbeatthecostofthedefendant?Itcertainlydidnotmeanthattheywoulddothatineverytrial,thatwasnotlikel

yatall,andtherewereprobablyalsotrialswheretheygavethelawyeradvantagesandalltheroomheneededtoturnitinthedirectionhewanted,asitwouldalsobetotheiradvantagetokeephisreputationintact.Ifthatreallywastheirrelationship,howwouldtheydirectK.'strialwhich,asthelawyerhadexplained,wasespeciallydifficultandthereforeimportantenoughtoattractgreatattentionfromtheveryfirsttimeitcametocourt?Therecouldnotbemuchdoubtaboutwhattheywoulddo.Thefirstsignsofitcouldalreadybeseeninthefactthatthefirstdocumentsstillhadnotbeensubmittedeventhoughthetrialhadalreadylastedseveralmonths,andthat,accordingtothelawyer,everythingwasstillinitsinitialstages,whichwasveryeffective,ofcourse,inmaki



ngthedefendantpassiveandkeepinghimhelpless.Thenhecouldbesuddenlysurprisedwiththeverdict,oratleastwithanotificationthatthehearinghadnotdecidedinhisfavourandthematterwouldbepassedontoahigheroffice.

ItwasessentialthatK.takeahandinithimself.Onwinter'smorningssuchasthis,whenhewasverytiredandeverythingdraggeditselflethargicallythroughhishead,thisbeliefofhisseemedirrefutable.Henolongerfeltthecontemptforthetrialthathehadhadearlier.Ifhehadbeenaloneintheworlditwouldhavebeeneasyforhimtoignoreit,althoughitwasalsocertainthat,inthatcase,thetrialwouldneverhaveariseninthefirstplace.Butnow,hisunclehadalreadydraggedhimtoseethelawyer,hehadtotakeaccountofhisfamily;hisjobwasnolongertotallyseparatefromtheprogressofthetrial,hehimselfhadcarelessly-withacertain,inexplicablecomplacency-mentionedittoacquaintancesandothershadlearnedaboutitinwayshedidnotknow,hisrelationshipwithMissBürstnerseemedtobeintroublebecauseofit.Inshort,henolongerhadanychoicewhetherhewouldacceptthetrialorturnitdown,hewasinthemiddleofitandhadtodefendhimself.Ifhewastired,thenthatwasbad.

Buttherewasnoreasontoworrytoomuchbeforeheneededto.Hehadbeencapableofworkinghimselfuptohishighpositioninthebankinarelativelyshorttimeandtoretainitwithrespectfromeveryone,nowhesimplyhadtoapplysomeofthetalentsthathadmadethatpossibleforhimtothetrial,andtherewasnodoubtthatithadtoturnoutwell.Themostimportantthing,ifsomethingw

astobeachieved,wastorejectinadvanceanyideathathemightbeinanywayguilty.Therewasnoguilt.Thetrialwasnothingbutabigpieceofbusiness,justlikehehadalreadyconcludedtothebenefitofthebankmanytimes,apieceofbusinessthatconcealedmanylurkingdangerswaitinginambushforhim,astheyusuallydid,andthesedangerswouldneedtobedefendedagainst.Ifthatwastobeachievedthenhemustnotentertainanyideaofguilt,whateverhedid,hewouldneedtolookafterhisowninterestsascloselyashecould.Seeninthisway,therewasnochoicebuttotakehisrepresentationawayfromthelawyerverysoon,atbestthatveryevening.Thelawyerhadtoldhim,ashetalkedtohim,thatthatwassomethingunheardofandwouldprobablydohimagreatdealofharm,butK.couldnottolerateanyimpedimenttohiseffortswherehistrialwasconcerned,andtheseimpedimentswereprobablycausedbythelawyerhimself.Butoncehehadshakenoffthelawyerthedocumentswouldneedtobesubmitted

straightawayand,ifpossible,hewouldneedtoseetoitthattheywerebeingdealtwitheveryday.Itwouldofcoursenotbeenough,ifthatwastobedone,forK.tositinthecorridorwithhishatunderthebenchliketheothers.Dayafterday,hehimself,oroneofthewomenorsomebodyelseonhisbehalf,wouldhavetorunaftertheofficialsandforcethemtositattheirdesksandstudyK.'sdocumentsinsteadoflookingoutonthecorridorthroughthegrating.Therecouldbenolet-upintheseefforts,everythingwouldneedtobeorganisedandsupervised,itwasabouttimethatthecourtcameupagainstadefendantwhoknewhowtodefendandmakeuseofhisrights.

ButwhenK.hadtheconfidencetotryanddoallthisthedifficultyofcomposingthedocumentswastoomuchforhim.Earlier,justaweekorsobefore,hecouldonlyhavefeltshameatthethoughtofbeingmadetowriteoutsuchdocuments

himself;ithadneverenteredhisheadthatthetaskcouldalsobedifficult.Herememberedonemorningwhen,alreadypiledupwithwork,hesuddenlyshovedeverythingtoonesideandtookapadofpaperonwhichhesketchedoutsomeofhisthoughtsonhowdocumentsofthissortshouldproceed.Perhapshewouldofferthemtothatslow-wittedlawyer,butjustthenthedoorofthemanager'sofficeopenedandthedeputy-directorenteredtheroomwithaloudlaugh.K.wasveryembarrassed,althoughthedeputy-director,ofcourse,wasnotlaughingatK.'sdocuments,whichheknewnothingabout,butatajokehehadjustheardaboutthestock-exchange,ajokewhichneededanillustrationifitwastobeunderstood,andnowthedeputy-directorleantoverK.'sdesk,tookhispencilfromhishand,



anddrewtheillustrationonthewritingpadthatK.hadintendedforhisideasabouthiscase.

K.nowhadnomorethoughtsofshame,thedocumentshadtobepreparedandsubmitted.If,aswasverylikely,hecouldfindnotimetodoitintheofficehewouldhavetodoitathomeatnight.Ifthenightsweren'tenoughhewouldhavetotakeaholiday.Aboveall,hecouldnotstophalfway,thatwasnonsensenotonlyinbusinessbutalwaysandeverywhere.Needlesstosay,thedocumentswouldmeananalmostendlessamountofwork.Itwaseasytocometothebelief,notonlyforthoseofananxiousdisposition,thatitwasimpossibleevertofinishit.Thiswasnotbecauseoflazinessordeceit,whichweretheonlythingsthatmighthavehinderedthelawyerinpreparingit,butbecausehedidnotknowwhatthechargewasorevenwhatconsequencesitmightbring,sothathehadtoremembereverytinyactionandeventfromthewholeofhislife,lookingatthemfromallsidesandcheckingandreconsideringthem.Itwasalsoaverydishearteningjob.Itwouldhavebeenmoresuitableasawayofpassingthelongdaysafterhehadretiredandbecomesenile.Butnow,justwhenK.neededtoapplyallhisthoughtstohiswork,whenhewasstillrisingandalreadyposedathreattothedeputy-director,wheneveryhourpassedsoquicklyandhewantedtoenjoythebriefeveningsandnightsasayoungman,thiswasthetimehehadtostartworkingoutthesedocuments.Oncemore,hebegantofeelresentment.Almostinvoluntarily,onlytoputanendtoit,hisfingerfeltforthebuttonoftheelectricbellintheante-room.Ashepresseditheglanceduptotheclock.Itwaseleveno'clock,twohours,hehadspentagreatdealofhiscostlytimejustdreamingan

dhiswitswere,ofcourse,evenmoredulledthantheyhadbeenbefore.Butthetimehad,nonetheless,notbeenwasted,hehadcometosomedecisionsthatcouldbeofvalue.Aswellasvariouspiecesofmail,theservitorsbroughttwovisitingcardsfromgentlemenwhohadalreadybeenwaitingforK.forsometime.Theywereactuallyveryimportantclientsofthebankwhoshouldnotreallyhavebeenkeptwaitingunderanycircumstances.Whyhadtheycomeatsuchanawkwardtime,andwhy,thegentlemenontheothersideofthecloseddoorseemedtobeasking,wastheindustriousK.usingupthebestbusinesstimeforhisprivateaffairs?Tiredfromwhathadgonebefore,andtiredinanticipationofwhatwastofollow,K.stooduptoreceivethefirstofthem.

Hewasashort,jollyman,amanufacturerwhoK.knewwell.HeapologisedfordisturbingK.atsomeimportantwork,andK.,forhispart,apologisedforhaving

keptthemanufacturerwaitingforsolong.Buteventhisapologywasspokeninsuchamechanicalwayandwithsuchfalseintonationthatthemanufacturerwouldcertainlyhavenoticedifhehadnotbeenfullypreoccupiedwithhisbusinessaffairs.Instead,hehurriedlypulledcalculationsandtablesoutfromallhispockets,spreadthemoutinfrontofK.,explainedseveralitems,correctedalittlemistakeinthearithmeticthathenoticedashequicklyglancedoveritall,andremindedK.ofasimilarpieceofbusinesshe'dconcludedwithhimaboutayearbefore,mentioninginpassingthatthistimetherewasanotherbankspendinggreatefforttogethisbusiness,andfinallystoppedspeakinginordertolearnK.'sopiniononthematter.AndK.hadindeed,atfirst,beencloselyfollowingwhatthemanufacturerwassaying,hetoowasawareofhowimportantthedealwas,butunfortunatelyitdidnotlast,hesoonstoppedlistening,noddedateachofthemanufacturer'slouderexclamationsforashortwhile,buteventuallyhes

toppeddoingeventhatanddidnomorethanstareatthebaldheadbentoverthepapers,askinghimselfwhenthemanufacturerwouldfinallyrealisethateverythinghewassayingwasuseless.Whenhedidstoptalking,K.reallythoughtatfirstthatthiswassothathewouldhavethechancetoconfessthathewasincapableoflistening.Instead,seeingtheanticipationonthemanufacturer'sface,obviouslyreadytocounteranyobjectionsmade,hewassorrytorealisethatthebusinessdiscussionhadtobecontinued.Sohebenthisheadasifhe'dbeengivenanorderandbeganslowlytomovehispenciloverthepapers,nowandthenhewouldstopandstareatoneofthefigures.Themanufacturerthoughttheremustbesomeobjection,perhapshisfiguresweren'treallysound,perhapstheyweren



'tthedecisiveissue,whateverhethought,themanufacturercoveredthepaperswithhishandandbeganonceagain,movingveryclosetoK.,toexplainwhatthedealwasallabout."Itisdifficult,"saidK.,pursinghislips.Theonlythingthatcouldofferhimanyguidancewerethepapers,andthemanufacturerhadcoveredthemfromhisview,sohejustsankbackagainstthearmofthechair.Evenwhenthedoorofthemanager'sofficeopenedandrevealednotveryclearly,asifthroughaveil,thedeputydirector,hedidnomorethanlookupweakly.K.thoughtnomoreaboutthematter,hemerelywatchedtheimmediateeffectofthedeputydirector'sappearanceand,forhim,theeffectwasverypleasing;themanufacturerimmediatelyjumpedupfromhisseatandhurriedovertomeetthedeputydirector,althoughK.wouldhavelikedtomakehimtentimeslivelierashefearedthedeputydirectormightdisappearagain.Heneednothaveworried,thetwogentlemenmeteachother,shookeachother'shandandwenttogetherovertoK.'sdesk.Themanufacturersaidhewassorrytofindthechiefclerksolittleinclinedtodobusiness,pointingtoK.who,undertheviewofthedeputydirector,hadbentbackdownoverthepapers.Asthetwomenleantoverthedeskandthemanufacturermadesomeefforttogainandkeepthedeputydirector'sattention,K.feltasiftheyweremuchbiggerthantheyreallywereandthattheirnegotiationswereabouthim.Carefullyandslowlyturninghiseyesupwards,hetriedtolearnwhatwastakingplaceabovehim,tookoneofthepapersfromhisdeskwithoutlookingtoseewhatitwas,layitontheflatofhishandandraiseditslowlyupasheroseuptothelevelofthetwomenhimself.Hehadnoparticularplaninmindashedidthis,butmerelyfeltthiswashowhewouldactifonlyhehadfinishedpreparingthatgreatdocumentthatwastoremovehisburdenenti

rely.Thedeputydirectorhadbeenpayingallhisattentiontotheconversationanddidnomorethanglanceatthepaper,hedidnotreadwhatwaswrittenonitatallaswhatwasimportantforthechiefclerkwasnotimportantforhim,hetookitfromK.'shandsaying,"Thankyou,I'malreadyfamiliarwitheverything",andlayitcalmlybackonthedesk.K.gavehimabitter,sidewayslook.Butthedeputydirectordidnotnoticethisatall,orifhedidnoticeititonlyraisedhisspirits,hefrequentlylaughedoutloud,onetimeheclearlyembarrassedthemanufacturerwhenheraisedanobjectioninawittywaybutdrewhimimmediatelybackoutofhisembarrassmentbycommentingadverselyonhimself,andfinallyinvitedhimintohisofficewheretheycouldbringthemattertoitsconclusion."It'saveryimportantmatter,"saidthemanufacturer."Iunderstandthatcompletely.AndI'msurethechiefclerk…"-evenashesaidthishewasactuallyspeakingonlytothemanufacturer-"willbeverygladtohaveustakeitoffh

ishands.Thisissomethingthatneedscalmconsideration.Butheseemstobeover-burdenedtoday,thereareevensomepeopleintheroomoutsidewho'vebeenwaitingthereforhoursforhim."K.stillhadenoughcontrolofhimselftoturnawayfromthedeputydirectoranddirecthisfriendly,albeitstiff,smileonlyatthemanufacturer,hemadenootherretaliation,bentdownslightlyandsupportedhimselfwithbothhandsonhisdesklikeaclerk,andwatchedasthetwogentlemen,stilltalking,tookthepapersfromhisdeskanddisappearedintothemanager'soffice.Inthedoorway,themanufacturerturnedandsaidhewouldn'tmakehisfarewellwithK.justyet,hewouldofcourseletthechiefclerkknowaboutthesuccessofhisdiscussionsbuthealsohadalittlesomethingtotellhimabout.

Atlast,K.wasbyhimself.Itdidnotenterhisheadtoshowanyoneelseintoh

isofficeandonlybecamevaguelyawareofhowniceitwasthatthepeopleoutsidethoughthewasstillnegotiatingwiththemanufacturerand,forthisreason,hecouldnotletanyoneintoseehim,noteventheservitor.Hewentovertothewindow,satdownontheledgebesideit,heldfirmlyontothehandleandlookeddownontothesquareoutside.Thesnowwasstillfalling,theweatherstillhadnotbrightenedupatall.

Heremainedalongtimesittinginthisway,notknowingwhatitactuallywasthatmadehimsoanxious,onlyoccasionallydidheglance,slightlystartled,overhisshoulderatthedoortotheouterroomwhere,mistakenly,hethoughthe'dh



eardsomenoise.No-onecame,andthatmadehimfeelcalmer,hewentovertothewashstand,rinsedhisfacewithcoldwaterand,hisheadsomewhatclearer,wentbacktohisplacebythewindow.Thedecisiontotakehisdefenceintohisownhandsnowseemedmoreofaburdenthanhehadoriginallyassumed.Allthewhilehehadlefthisdefenceuptothelawyerhistrialhadhadlittlebasicaffectonhim,hehadobserveditfromafarassomethingthatwasscarcelyabletoreachhimdirectly,whenitsuitedhimhelookedtoseehowthingsstoodbuthewasalsoabletodrawhisheadbackagainwheneverhewanted.Now,incontrast,ifhewastoconducthisdefencehimself,hewouldhavetodevotehimselfentirelytothecourt-forthetimebeing,atleast-successwouldmean,lateron,hiscompleteandconclusiveliberation,butifhewastoachievethishewouldhavetoplacehimself,tostartwith,infargreaterdangerthanhehadbeeninsofar.Ifheeverfelttemptedtodoubtthis,thenhisexperiencewiththedeputydirectorandthemanufacturerthatdaywouldbequiteenoughtoconvincehimofit.Howcouldhehavesattheretotallyconvincedoftheneedtodohisowndefence?Howwoulditbelater?Whatwouldhislifebelikeinthedaysahead?Wouldhefindthewaythroughitalltoahappyconclusion?Didacarefullyworkedoutdefence-andanyothersortwouldhavemadenosense-didacarefullyworkedoutdefencenotalsomeanhewouldneedtoshuthimselfofffromeverythingelseasmuchashecould?Wouldhesurvivethat?Andhowwashetosucceedinconductingallthisatthebank?Itinvolvedmuchmorethanjustsubmittingsomedocumentsthathecouldprobablyprepareinafewdays'leave,althoughitwouldhavebeengreattemeritytoaskfortimeofffromthebankjustatthattime,itwasawholetrialandtherewasnowayofseeinghowlongitmightlast.Thiswasan

enormousdifficultythathadsuddenlybeenthrownintoK.'slife!

Andwashesupposedtobedoingthebank'sworkatatimelikethis?Helookeddownathisdesk.Washesupposedtoletpeopleintoseehimandgointonegotiationswiththematatimelikethis?Whilehistrialtrundledon,whilethecourtofficialsupstairsintheatticroomsatlookingatthepapersforthistrial,shouldhebeworryingaboutthebusinessofthebank?Didthisnotseemlikeakindoftorture,acknowledgedbythecourt,connectedwiththetrialandwhichfollowedhimaround?Andisitlikelythatanyoneinthebank,whenjudginghiswork,wouldtakeanyaccountofhispeculiarsituation?No-oneandnever.Therewerethosewhoknewabouthistrial,althoughitwasnotquiteclearwhoknewaboutitorhowmuch.Buthehopedrumourshadnotreachedasfarasthedeputydirector,otherwisehewouldobviouslysoonfindawayofmakinguseofittoharm

K.,hewouldshowneithercomradeshipnorhumaneness.Andwhataboutthedirector?ItwastruethathewaswelldisposedtowardsK.,andassoonasheheardaboutthetrialhewouldprobablytrytodoeverythinghecouldtomakeiteasierforhim,buthewouldcertainlynotdevotehimselftoit.K.atonetimehadprovidedthecounter-balancetowhatthedeputydirectorsaidbutthedirectorwasnowcomingmoreandmoreunderhisinfluence,andthedeputydirectorwouldalsoexploittheweakenedconditionofthedirectortostrengthenhisownpower.SowhatcouldK.hopefor?Maybeconsiderationsofthissortweakenedhispowerofresistance,butitwasstillnecessarynottodeceiveoneselfandtoseeeverythingasclearlyasitcouldbeseenatthatmoment.

Fornoparticularreason,justtoavoidingreturningtohisdeskforawhile,heopenedthewindow.Itwasdifficulttoopenandhehadtoturnthehandlewith

bothhishands.Then,throughthewholeheightandbreadthofthewindow,themixtureoffogandsmokewasdrawnintotheroom,fillingitwithaslightsmellofburning.Afewflakesofsnowwereblowninwithit."It'sahorribleautumn,"saidthemanufacturer,whohadcomeintotheroomunnoticedafterseeingthedeputydirectorandnowstoodbehindK.K.noddedandlookeduneasilyatthemanufacturer'sbriefcase,fromwhichhewouldnowprobablytakethepapersandinformK.oftheresultofhisnegotiationswiththedeputydirector.However,themanufacturersawwhereK.waslooking,knockedonhisbriefcaseandwithoutopeningitsaid,"You'llbewantingtohearhowthingsturnedout.I'vealreadygotthecontractinmypocket,almost.He'sacharmingman,yourdeputydirector-he's



gothisdangers,though."HelaughedasheshookK.'shandandwantedtomakehimlaughwithhim.ButtoK.,itoncemoreseemedsuspiciousthatthemanufacturerdidnotwanttoshowhimthepapersandsawnothingabouthiscommentstolaughat."Chiefclerk,"saidthemanufacturer,"Iexpecttheweather'sbeenaffectingyourmood,hasit?You'relookingsoworriedtoday.""Yes,"saidK.,raisinghishandandholdingthetempleofhishead,"headaches,worriesinthefamily.""Quiteright,"saidthemanufacturer,whowasalwaysinahurryandcouldneverlistentoanyoneforverylong,"everyonehashiscrosstobear."K.hadunconsciouslymadeasteptowardsthedoorasifwantingtoshowthemanufacturerout,butthemanufacturersaid,"Chiefclerk,there'ssomethingelseI'dliketomentiontoyou.I'mverysorryifit'ssomethingthat'llbeaburdentoyoutodayofalldaysbutI'vebeentoseeyoutwicealready,lately,andeachtimeIforgotallaboutit.IfIdelayitanylongeritmightwellloseitspointaltogether.Thatwouldbeapity,asIthinkwhatI'vegottosaydoeshavesomevalue."BeforeK.hadhadthetimetoanswer,themanufacturercameupclosetohim,tappedhisknucklelightlyonhischestandsaidquietly,"You'vegotatrialgoingon,haven'tyou?"K.steppedbackandimmediatelyexclaimed,"That'swhatthedeputydirector'sbeentellingyou!""No,no,"saidthemanufacturer,"howwouldthedeputydirectorknowaboutit?""Andwhataboutyou?"askedK.,alreadymoreincontrolofhimself."Ihearthingsaboutthecourthereandthere,"saidthemanufacturer,"andthatevenappliestowhatitisthatIwantedtotellyouabout.""Therearesomanypeoplewhohaveconnectionswiththecourt!"saidK.withloweredhead,andheledthemanufacturerovertohisdesk.Theysatdownwheretheyhadbeenbefore,andthemanufacturersaid,"I'mafraidit'snotverymu

chthatI'vegottotellyouabout.Only,inmatterslikethis,it'sbestnottooverlookthetiniestdetails.Besides,Ireallywanttohelpyouinsomeway,howevermodestmyhelpmightbe.We'vebeengoodbusinesspartnersuptillnow,haven'twe?Wellthen."K.wantedtoapologiseforhisbehaviourintheconversationearlierthatday,butthemanufacturerwouldtoleratenointerruption,shovedhisbriefcaseuphighinhisarmpittoshowthathewasinahurry,andcarriedon."IknowaboutyourcasethroughacertainTitorelli.He'sapainter,Titorelli'sjusthisartisticname,Idon'tevenknowwhathisrealnameis.He'sbeencomingtomeinmyofficeforyearsfromtimetotime,andbringslittlepictureswithhimwhichIbuymoreorlessjustforthesakeofcharityashe'shardlymorethanabeggar.Andthey'renicepictures,too,moorlandlandscapesandthatsortofthing.We'dbothgotusedtodoingbusinessinthiswayanditalwayswentsmoothly.Only,onetimethesevisitsbecameabittoofrequent,Ibegant

otellhimoffforit,westartedtalkingandIbecameinterestedhowitwasthathecouldearnalivingjustbypainting,andthenIlearnedtomyamazementthathismainsourceofincomewaspaintingportraits.'Iworkforthecourt,'hesaid,'whatcourt?'saidI.Andthat'swhenhetoldmeaboutthecourt.I'msureyoucanimaginehowamazedIwasatbeingtoldallthis.EversincethenIlearnsomethingnewaboutthecourteverytimehecomestovisit,andsolittlebylittleIgettounderstandsomethingofhowitworks.Anyway,TitorellitalksalotandIoftenhavetopushhimaway,notonlybecausehe'sboundtobelyingbutalso,mostofall,becauseabusinessmanlikemewho'salreadyclosetobreakingpointundertheweightofhisownbusinessworriescan'tpaytoomuchattentiontootherpeople's.Butallthat'sjustbytheby.Perhaps-thisiswhatI'vebeenthinking-perhapsTitorellimightbeabletohelpyouinsomesmallway,heknowslotsofjudgesandevenifhecan'thavemuchinfluencehimselfhecan

giveyousomeadviceabouthowtogetsomeinfluentialpeopleonyourside.Andevenifthisadvicedoesn'tturnouttomakeallthedifferenceIstillthinkit'llbeveryimportantonceyou'vegotit.You'renearlyalawyeryourself.That'swhatIalwayssay,Mr.K.thechiefclerkisnearlyalawyer.OhI'msurethistrialofyourswillturnoutallright.SodoyouwanttogoandseeTitorelli,then?IfIaskhimtohe'llcertainlydoeverythinghepossiblycan.Ireallydothinkyououghttogo.Itneedn'tbetoday,ofcourse,justsometime,whenyougetthechance.Andanyway-Iwanttotellyouthistoo-youdon'tactuallyhavetogoandseeTitorelli,thisadvicefrommedoesn'tplaceyouunderanyobligationatall.No,ifyouthinkyoucangetbywithoutTitorelliit'llcertain



lybebettertoleavehimcompletelyoutofit.Maybeyou'vealreadygotaclearideaofwhatyou'redoingandTitorellicouldupsetyourplans.No,ifthat'sthecasethenofcourseyoushouldn'tgothereunderanycircumstances!Anditcertainlywon'tbeeasytotakeadvicefromaladlikethat.Still,it'suptoyou.Here'stheletterofrecommendationandhere'stheaddress."

Disappointed,K.tooktheletterandputitinhispocket.Evenatbest,theadvantagehemightderivefromthisrecommendationwasincomparablysmallerthanthedamagethatlayinthefactofthemanufacturerknowingabouthistrial,andthatthepainterwasspreadingthenewsabout.Itwasallhecouldmanagetogivethemanufacturer,whowasalreadyonhiswaytothedoor,afewwordsofthanks."I'llgothere,"hesaidashetookhisleaveofthemanufactureratthedoor,"or,asI'mverybusyatpresent,I'llwritetohim,perhapshewouldliketocometomeinmyofficesometime.""Iwassureyou'dfindthebestsolution,"saidthemanufacturer."AlthoughIhadthoughtyou'dprefertoavoidinvitingpeoplelikethisTitorellitothebankandtalkingaboutthetrialhere.Andit'snotalwaysagoodideatosendletterstopeoplelikeTitorelli,youdon'tknowwhatmighthappentothem.Butyou'reboundtohavethoughteverythingthroughandyouknowwhatyoucanandcan'tdo."K.noddedandaccompaniedthemanufactureronthroughtheante-room.Butdespiteseemingcalmontheoutsidehewasactuallyveryshocked;hehadtoldthemanufacturerhewouldwritetoTitorellionlytoshowhiminsomewaythathevaluedhisrecommendationsandwouldconsidertheopportunitytospeakwithTitorelliwithoutdelay,butifhehadthoughtTitorellicouldofferanyworthwhileassistancehewouldnothavedelayed.Butitwas

onlythemanufacturer'scommentthatmadeK.realisewhatdangersthatcouldleadto.Washereallyabletorelyonhisownunderstandingsolittle?Ifitwaspossiblethathemightinviteaquestionablecharacterintothebankwithaclearletter,andaskadvicefromhimabouthistrial,separatedfromthedeputydirectorbynomorethanadoor,wasitnotpossibleorevenverylikelythattherewerealsootherdangershehadfailedtoseeorthathewasevenrunningtowards?Therewasnotalwayssomeonebesidehimtowarnhim.Andjustnow,justwhenhewouldhavetoactwithallthestrengthhecouldmuster,nowanumberofdoubtsofasorthehadneverbeforeknownhadpresentedthemselvesandaffectedhisownvigilance!Thedifficultieshehadbeenfeelingincarryingouthisofficework;weretheynowgoingtoaffectthetrialtoo?Now,atleast,hefoundhimselfquiteunabletounderstandhowhecouldhaveintendedtowritetoTitorelliandinvitehimintothebank.

Heshookhisheadatthethoughtofitoncemoreastheservitorcameupbesidehimanddrewhisattentiontothethreegentlemenwhowerewaitingonabenchintheante-room.TheyhadalreadybeenwaitingtoseeK.foralongtime.NowthattheservitorwasspeakingwithK.theyhadstoodupandeachofthemwantedtomakeuseoftheopportunitytoseeK.beforetheothers.Ithadbeennegligentofthebanktoletthemwastetheirtimehereinthewaitingroom,butnoneofthemwantedtodrawattentiontothis."Mr.K.,…"oneofthemwassaying,butK.hadtoldtheservitortofetchhiswintercoatandsaidtothethreeofthem,astheservitorhelpedhimtoputiton,"Pleaseforgiveme,gentlemen,I'mafraidIhavenotimetoseeyouatpresent.PleasedoforgivemebutIhavesomeurgentbusinesstosettleandhavetoleavestraightaway.You'vealreadyseenyourselveshowlongI'vebeendelayed.Wouldyoubesokindastocomebacktomorrowo

rsometime?Orperhapswecouldsettleyouraffairsbytelephone?Orperhapsyouwouldliketotellmenow,briefly,whatit'saboutandIcanthengiveyouafullanswerinwriting.Whatever,thebestthingwillbeforyoutocomehereagain."Thegentlemennowsawthattheirwaithadbeentotallypointless,andthesesuggestionsofK.'sleftthemsoastoundedthattheylookedateachotherwithoutaword."That'sagreedthen,isit?"askedK.,whohadturnedtowardtheservitorbringinghimhishat.ThroughtheopendoorofK.'sofficetheycouldseethatthesnowfalloutsidehadbecomemuchheavier.SoK.turnedthecollarofhiscoatupandbuttonedituphighunderhischin.Justthenthedeputydirectorcameoutoftheadjoiningroom,smiledashesawK.negotiatingwiththegentlem



eninhiswintercoat,andasked,"Areyouabouttogoout?""Yes,"saidK.,standingmoreupright,"Ihavetogooutonsomebusiness."Butthedeputydirectorhadalreadyturnedtowardsthegentlemen."Andwhataboutthesegentlemen?"heasked."Ithinkthey'vealreadybeenwaitingquitealongtime.""We'vealreadycometoanunderstanding,"saidK.Butnowthegentlemencouldbeheldbacknolonger,theysurroundedK.andexplainedthattheywouldnothavebeenwaitingforhoursifithadnotbeenaboutsomethingimportantthathadtobediscussednow,atlengthandinprivate.Thedeputydirectorlistenedtothemforashortwhile,healsolookedatK.asheheldhishatinhishandcleaningthedustoffithereandthere,andthenhesaid,"Gentlemen,thereisaverysimplewaytosolvethis.Ifyouwouldpreferit,I'llbeverygladtotakeoverthesenegotiationsinsteadofthechiefclerk.Yourbusinessdoes,ofcourse,needtobediscussedwithoutdelay.Wearebusinessmenlikeyourselvesandknowthevalueofabusinessman'stime.Wouldyouliketocomethisway?"Andheopenedthedoorleadingtotheante-roomofhisownoffice.

ThedeputydirectorseemedverygoodatappropriatingeverythingthatK.wasnowforcedtogiveup!ButwasK.notgivingupmorethanheabsolutelyhadto?Byrunningofftosomeunknownpainter,with,ashehadtoadmit,verylittlehopeofanyvaguebenefit,hisrenownwassufferingdamagethatcouldnotmerepaired.Itwouldprobablybemuchbettertotakeoffhiswintercoatagainand,attheveryleast,trytowinbackthetwogentlemenwhowerecertainlystillwaitinginthenextroom.IfK.hadnotthenglimpsedthedeputydirectorinhisoffice,lookingforsomethingfromhisbookshelvesasiftheywerehisown,hewouldpr

obablyevenhavemadetheattempt.AsK.,somewhatagitated,approachedthedoorthedeputydirectorcalledout,"Oh,you'vestillnotleft!"Heturnedhisfacetowardhim-itsmanydeepfoldsseemedtoshowstrengthratherthanage-andimmediatelybeganoncemoretosearch."I'mlookingforacopyofacontract,"hesaid,"whichthisgentlemaninsistsyoumusthave.Couldyouhelpmelookforit,doyouthink?"K.madeastepforward,butthedeputydirectorsaid,"thankyou,I'vealreadyfoundit,"andwithabigpackageofpapers,whichcertainlymusthaveincludedmanymoredocumentsthanjustthecopyofthecontract,heturnedandwentbackintohisownoffice.

"Ican'tdealwithhimrightnow,"K.saidtohimself,"butoncemypersonaldifficultieshavebeensettled,thenhe'llcertainlybethefirsttogettheeffectofit,andhecertainlywon'tlikeit."Slightlycalmedbythesethoughts,K.g

avetheservitor,whohadalreadylongbeenholdingthedoortothecorridoropenforhim,thetaskoftellingthedirector,whenhewasable,thatK.wasgoingoutofthebankonabusinessmatter.Asheleftthebankhefeltalmosthappyatthethoughtofbeingabletodevotemoreofhimselftohisownbusinessforawhile.

Hewentstraighttothepainter,wholivedinanoutlyingpartoftownwhichwasveryneartothecourtoffices,althoughthisareawasevenpoorer,thehousesweredarker,thestreetswerefullofdirtthatslowlyblewaboutoverthehalf-meltedsnow.Inthegreatgatewaytothebuildingwherethepainterlivedonlyoneofthetwodoorswasopen,aholehadbeenbrokenopeninthewallbytheotherdoor,andasK.approacheditarepulsive,yellow,steamingliquidshotoutcausingsomeratstoscurryawayintothenearbycanal.Downbythestaircasethe

rewasasmallchildlyingonitsbellycrying,butitcouldhardlybeheardbecauseofthenoisefromametal-workshopontheothersideoftheentrancehall,drowningoutanyothersound.Thedoortotheworkshopwasopen,threeworkersstoodinacirclearoundsomepieceofworkthattheywerebeatingwithhammers.Alargetinplatehungonthewall,castingapalelightthatpusheditswayinbetweentwooftheworkers,lightinguptheirfacesandtheirwork-aprons.K.didnomorethanglanceatanyofthesethings,hewantedtogetthingsoverwithhereassoonaspossible,toexchangejustafewwordstofindouthowthingsstoodwiththepainterandgostraightbacktothebank.Evenifhehadjustsometinysuccesshereitwouldstillhaveagoodeffectonhisworkatthebankfor



thatday.Onthethirdfloorhehadtoslowdownhispace,hewasquiteoutofbreath-thesteps,justliketheheightofeachfloor,weremuchhigherthantheyneededtobeandhe'dbeentoldthatthepainterlivedrightupintheattic.Theairwasalsoquiteoppressive,therewasnoproperstairwellandthenarrowstepswereclosedinbywallsonbothsideswithnomorethanasmall,highwindowhereandthere.JustasK.pausedforawhilesomeyounggirlsranoutofoneoftheflatsandrushedhigherupthestairs,laughing.K.followedthemslowly,caughtupwithoneofthegirlswhohadstumbledandbeenleftbehindbytheothers,andaskedherastheywentupsidebyside,"Isthereapainter,Titorelli,wholiveshere?"Thegirl,hardlythirteenyearsoldandsomewhathunchbacked,jabbedhimwithherelbowandlookedathimsideways.Heryouthandherbodilydefectshaddonenothingtostopherbeingalreadyquitedepraved.Shedidnotsmileonce,butlookedatK.earnestly,withsharp,acquisitiveeyes.K.pretendednottonoticeherbehaviourandasked,"DoyouknowTitorelli,thepainter?"Shenoddedandaskedinreply,"Whatd'youwanttoseehimfor?"K.thoughtitwouldbetohisadvantagequicklytofindoutsomethingmoreaboutTitorelli."Iwanttohavehimpaintmyportrait,"hesaid."Paintyourportrait?"sheasked,openinghermouthtoowideandlightlyhittingK.withherhandasifhehadsaidsomethingextraordinarilysurprisingorclumsy,withbothhandssheliftedherskirt,whichwasalreadyveryshort,and,asfastasshecould,sheranoffaftertheothergirlswhoseindistinctshoutslostthemselvesintheheights.Atthenextturnofthestairs,however,K.encounteredallthegirlsoncemore.ThehunchbackedgirlhadclearlytoldthemaboutK.'sintentionsandtheywerewaitingforhim.Theystoodonbothsidesofthestairs,pressingthemselvesagainst

thewallsothatK.couldgetthroughbetweenthem,andsmoothedtheirapronsdownwiththeirhands.Alltheirfaces,eveninthisguardofhonour,showedamixtureofchildishnessanddepravity.Upattheheadofthelineofgirls,whonow,laughing,begantocloseinaroundK.,wasthehunchbackwhohadtakenontheroleofleader.ItwasthankstoherthatK.foundtherightdirectionwithoutdelay-hewouldhavecontinuedupthestairsstraightinfrontofhim,butsheshowedhimthattoreachTitorellihewouldneedtoturnofftooneside.Thestepsthatleduptothepainterwereespeciallynarrow,verylongwithoutanyturning,thewholelengthcouldbeseeninoneglanceand,atthetop,atTitorelli'scloseddoor,itcametoitsend.Thisdoorwasmuchbetterilluminatedthantherestofthestairwaybythelightfromasmallskylightsetobliquelyaboveit,ithadbeenputtogetherfromunpaintedplanksofwoodandthename'Titorelli'waspaintedonitinbroad,redbrushstrokes.K.wasnomorethanhalfwayup

thesteps,accompaniedbyhisretinueofgirls,when,clearlytheresultofthenoiseofallthosefootsteps,thedooropenedslightlyandinthecrackamanwhoseemedtobedressedinjusthisnightshirtappeared."Oh!"hecried,whenhesawtheapproachingcrowd,andvanished.ThehunchbackedgirlclappedherhandsingleeandtheothergirlscrowdedinbehindK.topushhimfasterforward.

Theystillhadnotarrivedatthetop,however,whenthepainterupabovethemsuddenlypulledthedoorwideopenand,withadeepbow,invitedK.toenter.Thegirls,ontheotherhand,hetriedtokeepaway,hedidnotwanttoletanyoftheminhowevermuchtheybeggedhimandhowevermuchtheytriedtogetin-iftheycouldnotgetinwithhispermissiontheywouldtrytoforcetheirwayinagainsthiswill.Theonlyonetosucceedwasthehunchbackwhensheslippedthroughunderhisoutstretchedarm,butthepainterchasedafterher,grabbedherby

theskirt,spanheronceroundandsetherdownagainbythedoorwiththeothergirlswho,unlikethefirst,hadnotdaredtocrossthedoorstepwhilethepainterhadlefthispost.K.didnotknowwhathewastomakeofallthis,astheyallseemedtobehavingfun.Onebehindtheother,thegirlsbythedoorstretchedtheirnecksuphighandcalledoutvariouswordstothepainterwhichweremeantinjestbutwhichK.didnotunderstand,andeventhepainterlaughedasthehunchbackwhirledroundinhishand.Thenheshutthedoor,bowedoncemoretoK.,offeredhimhishandandintroducedhimself,saying,"Titorelli,painter".K.pointedtothedoor,behindwhichthegirlswerewhispering,andsaid,"Youseemtobeverypopularinthisbuilding.""Ach,thosebrats!"saidthepainter,



tryinginvaintofastenhisnightshirtattheneck.Hewasalsobare-footedand,apartfromthat,waswearingnothingmorethanaloosepairofyellowishlinentrousersheldupwithabeltwhosefreeendwhippedtoandfro."Thosekidsarearealburdenforme,"hecontinued.Thetopbuttonofhisnightshirtcameoffandhegaveuptryingtofastenit,fetchedachairforK.andmadehimsitdownonit."Ipaintedoneofthemonce-she'snotheretoday-andeversincethenthey'vebeenfollowingmeabout.IfI'mheretheyonlycomeinwhenIallowit,butassoonasI'vegoneoutthere'salwaysatleastoneoftheminhere.Theyhadakeymadetomydoorandlenditroundtoeachother.It'shardtoimaginewhatapainthatis.SupposeIcomebackhomewithaladyI'mgoingtopaint,Iopenthedoorwithmyownkeyandfindthehunchbackthereorsomething,bythetablepaintingherlipsredwithmypaintbrush,andmeanwhileherlittlesisterswillbekeepingguardforher,movingaboutandcausingchaosineverycorneroftheroom.Orelse,likehappenedyesterday,Imightcomebackhomelateintheevening-pleaseforgivemyappearanceandtheroombeinginamess,itistodowiththem-so,Imightcomehomelateintheeveningandwanttogotobed,thenIfeelsomethingpinchingmyleg,lookunderthebedandpullanotherofthemoutfromunderit.Idon'tknowwhyitistheybothermelikethis,Iexpectyou'vejustseenthatIdonothingtoencouragethemtocomenearme.Andtheymakeithardformetodomyworktoo,ofcourse.IfIdidn'tgetthisstudiofornothingI'dhavemovedoutalongtimeago."Justthen,alittlevoice,tenderandanxious,calledoutfromunderthedoor,"Titorelli,canwecomeinnow?""No,"answeredthepainter."Notevenjustme,bymyself?"thevoiceaskedagain."Notevenjustyou,"saidthepainter,ashewenttothedoorandlockedit.

Meanwhile,K.hadbeenlookingroundtheroom,ifithadnotbeenpointedoutitwouldneverhaveoccurredtohimthatthiswretchedlittleroomcouldbecalledastudio.Itwashardlylongenoughorbroadenoughtomaketwosteps.Everything,floor,wallsandceiling,wasmadeofwood,betweentheplanksnarrowgapscouldbeseen.AcrossfromwhereK.was,thebedstoodagainstthewallunderacoveringofmanydifferentcolours.Inthemiddleoftheroomapicturestoodonaneasel,coveredoverwithashirtwhosearmsdangleddowntotheground.BehindK.wasthewindowthroughwhichthefogmadeitimpossibletoseefurtherthanthesnowcoveredroofoftheneighbouringbuilding.

TheturningofthekeyinthelockremindedK.thathehadnotwantedtostaytoolong.Sohedrewthemanufacturer'sletteroutfromhispocket,helditoutto

thepainterandsaid,"Ilearnedaboutyoufromthisgentleman,anacquaintanceofyours,andit'sonhisadvicethatI'vecomehere".Thepainterglancedthroughtheletterandthrewitdownontothebed.IfthemanufacturerhadnotsaidveryclearlythatTitorelliwasanacquaintanceofhis,apoormanwhowasdependentonhischarity,thenitwouldreallyhavebeenquitepossibletobelievethatTitorellididnotknowhimoratleastthathecouldnotrememberhim.Thisimpressionwasaugmentedbythepainter'sasking,"Wereyouwantingtobuysomepicturesordidyouwanttohaveyourselfpainted?"K.lookedatthepainterinastonishment.Whatdidtheletteractuallysay?K.hadtakenitasamatterofcoursethatthemanufacturerhadexplainedtothepainterinhisletterthatK.wantednothingmorewithhimthantofindoutmoreabouthistrial.Hehadbeenfartoorashincominghere!Butnowhehadtogivethepaintersomesortofanswerand,glancingattheeasel,said,"Areyouworkingonapicturecurrently?""Y

es,"saidthepainter,andhetooktheshirthangingovertheeaselandthrewitontothebedaftertheletter."It'saportrait.Quiteagoodpieceofwork,althoughit'snotquitefinishedyet."ThiswasaconvenientcoincidenceforK.,itgavehimagoodopportunitytotalkaboutthecourtasthepictureshowed,veryclearly,ajudge.What'smore,itwasremarkablysimilartothepictureinthelawyer'soffice,althoughthisoneshowedaquitedifferentjudge,aheavymanwithafullbeardwhichwasblackandbushyandextendedtothesidesfaruptheman'scheeks.Thelawyer'spicturewasalsoanoilpainting,whereasthisonehadbeenmadewithpastelcoloursandwaspaleandunclear.Buteverythingelseaboutthepicturewassimilar,asthisjudge,too,washoldingtightlytothearm



ofhisthroneandseemedominouslyabouttorisefromit.AtfirstK.wasabouttosay,"Hecertainlyisajudge,"butheheldhimselfbackforthetimebeingandwentclosertothepictureasifhewantedtostudyitindetail.Therewasalargefigureshowninmiddleofthethrone'sbackrestwhichK.couldnotunderstandandaskedthepainteraboutit.That'llneedsomemoreworkdoneonit,thepaintertoldhim,andtakingapastelcrayonfromasmalltableheaddedafewstrokestotheedgesofthefigurebutwithoutmakingitanyclearerasfarasK.couldmakeout."That'sthefigureofjustice,"saidthepainter,finally."NowIsee,"saidK.,"here'stheblindfoldandherearethescales.Butaren'tthosewingsonherheels,andisn'tshemoving?""Yes,"saidthepainter,"Ihadtopaintitlikethataccordingtothecontract.It'sactuallythefigureofjusticeandthegoddessofvictoryallinone.""Thatisnotagoodcombination,"saidK.withasmile."Justiceneedstoremainstill,otherwisethescaleswillmoveaboutanditwon'tbepossibletomakeajustverdict.""I'mjustdoingwhattheclientwanted,"saidthepainter."Yes,certainly,"saidK.,whohadnotmeanttocriticiseanyonebythatcomment."You'vepaintedthefigureasitactuallyappearsonthethrone.""No,"saidthepainter,"I'veneverseenthatfigureorthatthrone,it'salljustinvention,buttheytoldmewhatitwasIhadtopaint.""How'sthat?"askedK.pretendingnotfullytounderstandwhatthepaintersaid."Thatisajudgesittingonthejudge'schair,isn'tit?""Yes,"saidthepainter,"butthatjudgeisn'tveryhighupandhe'sneversatonanythronelikethat.""Andhehashimselfpaintedinsuchagrandpose?He'ssittingtherejustlikethepresidentofthecourt.""Yeah,gentlemenlikethisareveryvain,"saidthepainter."Buttheyhavepermissionfromhigheruptogetthemselvesp

aintedlikethis.It'slaiddownquitestrictlyjustwhatsortofportraiteachofthemcangetforhimself.Onlyit'sapitythatyoucan'tmakeoutthedetailsofhiscostumeandposeinthispicture,pastelcoloursaren'treallysuitableforshowingpeoplelikethis.""Yes,"saidK.,"itdoesseemoddthatit'sinpastelcolours.""That'swhatthejudgewanted,"saidthepainter,"it'smeanttobeforawoman."Thesightofthepictureseemedtomakehimfeellikeworking,herolleduphisshirtsleeves,pickedupafewofthecrayons,andK.watchedasareddishshadowbuiltuparoundtheheadofthejudgeundertheirquiveringtipsandradiatedoutthetoedgesofthepicture.Thisshadowplayslowlysurroundedtheheadlikeadecorationorloftydistinction.ButaroundthefigureofJustice,apartfromsomecolorationthatwasbarelynoticeable,itremainedlight,andinthisbrightnessthefigureseemedtoshineforwardsothatitnowlookedlikeneithertheGodofJusticenortheGodofVictory,itseemednow,rather,

tobeaperfectdepictionoftheGodoftheHunt.K.foundthepainter'sworkmoreengrossingthanhehadwanted;butfinallyhereproachedhimselfforstayingsolongwithouthavingdoneanythingrelevanttohisownaffair."What'sthenameofthisjudge?"heaskedsuddenly."I'mnotallowedtotellyouthat,"thepainteranswered.Hewasbentdeeplyoverthepictureandclearlyneglectinghisguestwho,atfirst,hehadreceivedwithsuchcare.K.tookthistobejustafoibleofthepainter's,anditirritatedhimasitmadehimlosetime."Itakeityoumustbeatrusteeofthecourt,"hesaid.Thepainterimmediatelyputhiscrayonsdown,stoodupright,rubbedhishandstogetherandlookedatK.withasmile."Alwaysstraightoutwiththetruth,"hesaid."Youwanttolearnsomethingaboutthecourt,likeitsaysinyourletterofrecommendation,butthenyoustarttalkingaboutmypicturestogetmeonyourside.Still,Iwon'tholditagainstyou,youweren'ttoknowthatthatwasentirelythewrongthingtotrywith

me.Oh,please!"hesaidsharply,repellingK.'sattempttomakesomeobjection.Hethencontinued,"Andbesides,you'requiterightinyourcommentthatI'matrusteeofthecourt."Hemadeapause,asifwantingtogiveK.thetimetocometotermswiththisfact.Thegirlscouldoncemorebeheardfrombehindthedoor.Theywereprobablypressedaroundthekeyhole,perhapstheycouldevenseeintotheroomthroughthegapsintheplanks.K.forewenttheopportunitytoexcusehimselfinsomewayashedidnotwishtodistractthepainterfromwhathewassaying,orelseperhapshedidn'twanthimtogettoofarabovehimselfandinthiswaymakehimselftosomeextentunattainable,soheasked,"Isthatapubliclyacknowledgedposition?""No,"wasthepainter'scurtreply,asiftheque



stionpreventedhimsayinganymore.ButK.wantedhimtocontinuespeakingandsaid,"Well,positionslikethat,thataren'tofficiallyacknowledged,canoftenhavemoreinfluencethanthosethatare.""Andthat'showitiswithme,"saidthepainter,andnoddedwithafrown."Iwastalkingaboutyourcasewiththemanufactureryesterday,andheaskedmeifIwouldn'tliketohelpyou,andIanswered:'Hecancomeandseemeifhelikes',andnowI'mpleasedtoseeyouheresosoon.Thisbusinessseemstobequiteimportanttoyou,and,ofcourse,I'mnotsurprisedatthat.Wouldyounotliketotakeyourcoatoffnow?"K.hadintendedtostayforonlyaveryshorttime,butthepainter'sinvitationwasnonethelessverywelcome.Theairintheroomhadslowlybecomequiteoppressiveforhim,hehadseveraltimeslookedinamazementatasmall,ironstoveinthecornerthatcertainlycouldnothavebeenlit,theheatoftheroomwasinexplicable.Ashetookoffhiswinterovercoatandalsounbuttonedhisfrockcoatthepaintersaidtohiminapology,"Imusthavewarmth.Anditisverycosyhere,isn'tit.Thisroom'sverygoodinthatrespect."K.madenoreply,butitwasactuallynottheheatthatmadehimuncomfortablebut,muchmore,thestuffiness,theairthatalmostmadeitmoredifficulttobreathe,theroomhadprobablynotbeenventilatedforalongtime.TheunpleasantnessofthiswasmadeallthestrongerforK.whenthepainterinvitedhimtositonthebedwhilehehimselfsatdownontheonlychairintheroominfrontoftheeasel.ThepainterevenseemedtomisunderstandwhyK.remainedattheedgeofthebedandurgedK.tomakehimselfcomfortable,andashehesitatedhewentovertothebedhimselfandpressedK.deepdownintothebedclothesandpillows.Thenhewentbacktohisseatandatlastheaskedhisfirstobjectivequestion,whichmadeK.forgeteverything

else."You'reinnocent,areyou?"heasked."Yes,"saidK.Hefeltasimplejoyatansweringthisquestion,especiallyastheanswerwasgiventoaprivateindividualandthereforewouldhavenoconsequences.Uptillthenno-onehadaskedhimthisquestionsoopenly.Tomakethemostofhispleasureheadded,"Iamtotallyinnocent.""So,"saidthepainter,andheloweredhisheadandseemedtobethinking.Suddenlyheraisedhisheadagainandsaid,"Wellifyou'reinnocentit'sallverysimple."K.begantoscowl,thissupposedtrusteeofthecourtwastalkinglikeanignorantchild."Mybeinginnocentdoesnotmakethingssimple,"saidK.Despiteeverything,hecouldn'thelpsmilingandslowlyshookhishead."Therearemanyfinedetailsinwhichthecourtgetslost,butintheenditreachesintosomeplacewhereoriginallytherewasnothingandpullsenormousguiltoutofit.""Yeah,yeah,sure,"saidthepainter,asifK.hadbeendisturbinghistrainofthoughtfornoreason."Butyouareinnocent,aren'tyou?""Well

ofcourseIam,"saidK."That'sthemainthing,"saidthepainter.Therewasnocounter-argumentthatcouldinfluencehim,butalthoughhehadmadeuphisminditwasnotclearwhetherhewastalkingthiswaybecauseofconvictionorindifference.K.,then,wantedtofindoutandsaidtherefore,"I'msureyou'remorefamiliarwiththecourtthanIam,IknowhardlymoreaboutitthanwhatI'veheard,andthat'sbeenfrommanyverydifferentpeople.Buttheywereallagreedononething,andthatwasthatwhenillthought-outaccusationsaremadetheyarenotignored,andthatoncethecourthasmadeanaccusationitisconvincedoftheguiltofthedefendantandit'sveryhardtomakeitthinkotherwise.""Veryhard?"thepainterasked,throwingonehandupintheair."It'simpossibletomakeitthinkotherwise.IfIpaintedallthejudgesnexttoeachotherhereoncanvas,andyouweretryingtodefendyourselfinfrontofit,you'dhavemoresuccesswiththemthanyou'deverhavewiththerealcourt.""Yes,"saidK.toh

imself,forgettingthathehadonlygonetheretoinvestigatethepainter.

Oneofthegirlsbehindthedoorstartedupagain,andasked,"Titorelli,ishegoingtogosoon?""Quiet!"shoutedthepainteratthedoor,"Can'tyouseeI'mtalkingwiththegentleman?"Butthiswasnotenoughtosatisfythegirlandsheasked,"Yougoingtopainthispicture?"Andwhenthepainterdidn'tanswersheadded,"Pleasedon'tpainthim,he'san'orriblebloke."Therefollowedanincomprehensible,interwovenbabbleofshoutsandrepliesandcallsofagreement.Thepainterleaptovertothedoor,openeditveryslightly-thegirls'claspedhandscouldbeseenstretchingthroughthecrackasiftheywantedsomething-an



dsaid,"Ifyou'renotquietI'llthrowyoualldownthestairs.Sitdownhereonthestepsandbequiet."Theyprobablydidnotobeyhimimmediately,sothathehadtocommand,"Downonthesteps!"Onlythenitbecamequiet.

"I'msorryaboutthat,"saidthepainterashereturnedtoK.K.hadhardlyturnedtowardsthedoor,hehadleftitcompletelyuptothepainterwhetherandhowhewouldplacehimunderhisprotectionifhewantedto.Evennow,hemadehardlyanymovementasthepainterbentoverhimand,whisperingintohisearinordernottobeheardoutside,said,"Thesegirlsbelongtothecourtaswell.""How'sthat?"askedK.,asheleanthisheadtoonesideandlookedatthepainter.Butthepaintersatbackdownonhischairand,halfinjest,halfinexplanation,"Well,everythingbelongstothecourt.""ThatissomethingIhadnevernoticeduntilnow,"saidK.curtly,thisgeneralcommentofthepainter'smadehiscommentaboutthegirlsfarlessdisturbing.Nonetheless,K.lookedforawhileatthedoor,behindwhichthegirlswerenowsittingquietlyonthesteps.Except,thatoneofthemhadpushedadrinkingstrawthroughacrackbetweentheplanksandwasmovingitslowlyupanddown."Youstilldon'tseemtohavemuchgeneralideaofwhatthecourt'sabout",saidthepainter,whohadstretchedhislegswideapartandwastappingloudlyonthefloorwiththetipofhisfoot."Butasyou'reinnocentyouwon'tneeditanyway.I'llgetyououtofthisbymyself.""Howdoyouintendtodothat?"askedK."Youdidsayyourselfnotlongagothatit'squiteimpossibletogotothecourtwithreasonsandproofs.""Onlyimpossibleforreasonsandproofsyoutaketothecourtyourself"saidthepainter,raisinghisforefingerasifK.hadfailedtonoticeafinedistinction."Itgoes

differentlyifyoutrytodosomethingbehindthepubliccourt,that'stosayintheconsultationrooms,inthecorridorsorhere,forinstance,inmystudio."K.nowbegantofinditfareasiertobelievewhatthepainterwassaying,orratheritwaslargelyinagreementwithwhathehadalsobeentoldbyothers.Infactitwasevenquitepromising.Ifitreallywassoeasytoinfluencethejudgesthroughpersonalcontactsasthelawyerhadsaidthenthepainter'scontactswiththesevainjudgeswasespeciallyimportant,andattheveryleastshouldnotbeundervalued.AndthepainterwouldfitinverywellinthecircleofassistantsthatK.wasslowlygatheringaroundhimself.Hehadbeennotedatthebankforhistalentinorganising,here,wherehewasplacedentirelyonhisownresources,wouldbeagoodopportunitytotestthattalenttoitslimits.ThepainterobservedtheeffecthisexplanationhadhadonK.andthen,withacertainunease,said,"DoesitnotoccurtoyouthatthewayI'mspeakingisalmostlikea

lawyer?It'stheincessantcontactwiththegentlemenofthecourthasthatinfluenceonme.Igainalotbyit,ofcourse,butIlosealot,artisticallyspeaking.""Howdidyoufirstcomeintocontactwiththejudges,then?"askedK.,hewantedfirsttogainthepainter'strustbeforehetookhimintohisservice."Thatwasveryeasy,"saidthepainter,"Iinheritedthesecontacts.Myfatherwascourtpainterbeforeme.It'sapositionthat'salwaysinherited.Theycan'tusenewpeopleforit,therulesgoverninghowthevariousgradesofofficialsarepaintedaresomanyandvaried,and,aboveall,sosecretthatno-oneoutsideofcertainfamiliesevenknowsthem.Inthedrawerthere,forinstance,I'vegotmyfather'snotes,whichIdon'tshowtoanyone.Butyou'reonlyabletopaintjudgesifyouknowwhattheysay.Although,evenifIlostthemno-onecouldeverdisputemypositionbecauseofalltherulesIjustcarryroundinmyhead.Allthejudgeswanttobepaintedliketheold,greatjudgeswere,andI'mtheonl

yonewhocandothat.""Youaretobeenvied,"saidK.,thinkingofhispositionatthebank."Yourpositionisquiteunassailable,then?""Yes,quiteunassailable,"saidthepainter,andheraisedhisshouldersinpride."That'showIcanevenaffordtohelpsomepoormanfacingtrialnowandthen.""Andhowdoyoudothat?"askedK.,asifthepainterhadnotjustdescribedhimasapoorman.Thepainterdidnotlethimselfbedistracted,butsaid,"Inyourcase,forinstance,asyou'retotallyinnocent,thisiswhatI'lldo."TherepeatedmentionofK.'sinnocencewasbecomingirksometohim.Itsometimesseemedtohimasifthepainterwasusingthesecommentstomakeafavourableoutcometothetrialapreconditionforhishelp,whichofcoursewouldmakethehelpitselfunnecessary.



ButdespitethesedoubtsK.forcedhimselfnottointerruptthepainter.Hedidnotwanttodowithoutthepainter'shelp,thatwaswhathehaddecided,andthishelpdidnotseeminanywaylessquestionablethanthatofthelawyer.K.valuedthepainter'shelpfarmorehighlybecauseitwasofferedinawaythatwasmoreharmlessandopen.

Thepainterhadpulledhisseatclosertothebedandcontinuedinasubduedvoice:"Iforgottoaskyou;whatsortofacquittalisityouwant?Therearethreepossibilities;absoluteacquittal,apparentacquittalanddeferment.Absoluteacquittalisthebest,ofcourse,onlythere'snothingIcoulddotogetthatsortofoutcome.Idon'tthinkthere'sanyoneatallwhocoulddoanythingtogetanabsoluteacquittal.Probablytheonlythingthatcoulddothatisiftheaccusedisinnocent.Asyouareinnocentitcouldactuallybepossibleandyoucoulddependonyourinnocencealone.Inthatcaseyouwon'tneedmeoranyotherkindofhelp."

Atfirst,K.wasastonishedatthisorderlyexplanation,butthen,justasquietlyasthepainter,hesaid,"Ithinkyou'recontradictingyourself.""How'sthat?"askedthepainterpatiently,leaningbackwithasmile.ThissmilemadeK.feelasifhewereexaminingnotthewordsofthepainterbutseekingoutinconsistenciesintheproceduresofthecourtitself.Nonetheless,hecontinuedunabashedandsaid,"Youremarkedearlierthatthecourtcannotbeapproachedwithreasonedproofs,youlaterrestrictedthistotheopencourt,andnowyougosofarastosaythataninnocentmanneedsnoassistanceincourt.Thatentailsacont

radiction.Moreover,yousaidearlierthatthejudgescanbeinfluencedpersonallybutnowyouinsistthatanabsoluteacquittal,asyoucallit,canneverbeattainedthroughpersonalinfluence.Thatentailsasecondcontradiction.""It'squiteeasytoclearupthesecontradictions,"saidthepainter."We'retalkingabouttwodifferentthingshere,there'swhatitsaysinthelawandthere'swhatIknowfrommyownexperience,youshouldn'tgetthetwoconfused.I'veneverseenitinwriting,butthelawdoes,ofcourse,sayontheonehandthattheinnocentwillbesetfree,butontheotherhanditdoesn'tsaythatthejudgescanbeinfluenced.Butinmyexperienceit'stheotherwayround.Idon'tknowofanyabsoluteacquittalsbutIdoknowofmanytimeswhenajudgehasbeeninfluenced.It'spossible,ofcourse,thattherewasnoinnocenceinanyofthecasesIknowabout.Butisthatlikely?Notasingleinnocentdefendantinsomanycases?WhenIwasaboyIusedtolistencloselytomyfatherwhenhetoldusabout

courtcasesathome,andthejudgesthatcametohisstudiotalkedaboutthecourt,inourcirclesnobodytalksaboutanythingelse;IhardlyevergotthechancetogotocourtmyselfbutalwaysmadeuseofitwhenIcould,I'velistenedtocountlesstrialsatimportantstagesintheirdevelopment,I'vefollowedthemcloselyasfarastheycouldbefollowed,andIhavetosaythatI'veneverseenasingleacquittal.""So.Notasingleacquittal,"saidK.,asiftalkingtohimselfandhishopes."ThatconfirmstheimpressionIalreadyhaveofthecourt.Sothere'snopointinitfromthissideeither.Theycouldreplacethewholecourtwithasinglehangman.""Youshouldn'tgeneralise,"saidthepainter,dissatisfied,"I'veonlybeentalkingaboutmyownexperience.""Wellthat'senough,"saidK.,"orhaveyouheardofanyacquittalsthathappenedearlier?""Theysaytherehavebeensomeacquittalsearlier,"thepainteranswered,"butit'sveryhardtobesureaboutit.Thecourtsdon'tmaketheirfinalconclusionspublic,no

teventhejudgesareallowedtoknowaboutthem,sothatallweknowabouttheseearliercasesarejustlegends.Butmostofthemdidinvolveabsoluteacquittals,youcanbelievethat,buttheycan'tbeproved.Ontheotherhand,youshouldn'tforgetallaboutthemeither,I'msurethereissometruthtothem,andtheyareverybeautiful,I'vepaintedafewpicturesmyselfdepictingtheselegends.""Myassessmentwillnotbealteredbymerelegends,"saidK."Idon'tsupposeit'spossibletocitetheselegendsincourt,isit?"Thepainterlaughed."No,youcan'tcitethemincourt,"hesaid."Thenthere'snopointintalkingaboutthem,"saidK.,hewanted,forthetimebeing,toacceptanythingthepaintertoldhim,evenifhethoughtitunlikelyorcontradictedwhathehadbeentoldby



others.Hedidnotnowhavethetimetoexaminethetruthofeverythingthepaintersaidoreventodisproveit,hewouldhaveachievedasmuchashecouldifthepainterwouldhelphiminanywayevenifhishelpwouldnotbedecisive.Asaresult,hesaid,"Solet'spaynomoreattentiontoabsoluteacquittal,butyoumentionedtwootherpossibilities.""Apparentacquittalanddeferment.They'retheonlypossibilities,"saidthepainter."Butbeforewetalkaboutthem,wouldyounotliketotakeyourcoatoff?Youmustbehot.""Yes,"saidK.,whountilthenhadpaidattentiontonothingbutthepainter'sexplanations,butnowthathehadhadtheheatpointedouttohimhisbrowbegantosweatheavily."It'salmostunbearable."ThepainternoddedasifheunderstoodK.'sdiscomfortverywell."Couldwenotopenthewindow?"askedK."No,"saidthepainter."It'sonlyafixedpaneofglass,itcan'tbeopened."K.nowrealisedthatallthistimehehadbeenhopingthepainterwouldsuddenlygoovertothewindowandpullitopen.Hehadpreparedhimselfevenforthefogthathewouldbreatheinthroughhisopenmouth.Thethoughtthatherehewasentirelycutofffromtheairmadehimfeeldizzy.Hetappedlightlyonthebedspreadbesidehimand,withaweakvoice,said,"Thatisveryinconvenientandunhealthy.""Ohno,"saidthepainterindefenceofhiswindow,"asitcan'tbeopenedthisroomretainstheheatbetterthanifthewindowweredoubleglazed,eventhoughit'sonlyasinglepane.There'snotmuchneedtoairtheroomasthere'ssomuchventilationthroughthegapsinthewood,butwhenIdowanttoIcanopenoneofmydoors,orevenbothofthem."K.wasslightlyconsoledbythisexplanationandlookedaroundtoseewheretheseconddoorwas.Thepaintersawhimdosoandsaid,"It'sbehindyou,Ihadtohideitbehindthebed."OnlythenwasK.abletoseethelittled

oorinthewall."It'sreallymuchtoosmallforastudiohere,"saidthepainter,asifhewantedtoanticipateanobjectionK.wouldmake."IhadtoarrangethingsaswellasIcould.That'sobviouslyaverybadplaceforthebed,infrontofthedoor.ForinstancewhenthejudgeI'mpaintingatpresentcomeshealwayscomesthroughthedoorbythebed,andI'veevengivenhimakeytothisdoorsothathecanwaitformehereinthestudiowhenI'mnothome.AlthoughnowadaysheusuallycomesearlyinthemorningwhenI'mstillasleep.Andofcourse,italwayswakesmeupwhenIhearthedooropenedbesidethebed,howeverfastasleepIam.IfyoucouldhearthewayIcursehimasheclimbsovermybedinthemorningyou'dloseallrespectforjudges.IsupposeIcouldtakethekeyawayfromhimbutthat'donlymakethingsworse.Itonlytakesatinyefforttobreakanyofthedoorshereofftheirhinges."Allthetimethepainterwasspeaking,K.wasconsideringwhetherheshouldtakeoffhiscoat,buthefinallyrealise

dthat,ifhedidn'tdoso,hewouldbequiteunabletostayhereanylonger,sohetookoffhisfrockcoatandlayitonhiskneesothathecouldputitbackonagainassoonastheconversationwasover.Hehadhardlydonethiswhenoneofthegirlscalledout,"Nowhe'stakenhiscoatoff!"andtheycouldallbeheardpressingaroundthegapsintheplankstoseethespectacleforthemselves."ThegirlsthinkI'mgoingtopaintyourportrait,"saidthepainter,"andthat'swhyyou'retakingyourcoatoff.""Isee,"saidK.,onlyslightlyamusedbythis,ashefeltlittlebetterthanhehadbeforeeventhoughhenowsatinhisshirtsleeves.Withsomeirritationheasked,"Whatdidyousaythetwootherpossibilitieswere?"Hehadalreadyforgottenthetermsused."Apparentacquittalanddeferment,"saidthepainter."It'suptoyouwhichoneyouchoose.YoucangeteitherofthemifIhelpyou,butit'lltakesomeeffortofcourse,thedifferencebetweenthemisthatapparentacquittalneedsconcentratedeffortforawhil

eandthatdefermenttakesmuchlesseffortbutithastobesustained.Nowthen,apparentacquittal.Ifthat'swhatyouwantI'llwritedownanassertionofyourinnocenceonapieceofpaper.Thetextforanassertionofthissortwaspasseddowntomefrommyfatherandit'squiteunassailable.ItakethisassertionroundtothejudgesIknow.SoI'llstartoffwiththeoneI'mcurrentlypainting,andputtheassertiontohimwhenhecomesforhissittingthisevening.I'lllaytheassertioninfrontofhim,explainthatyou'reinnocentandgivehimmypersonalguaranteeofit.Andthat'snotjustasuperficialguarantee,it'sarealoneandit'sbinding."Thepainter'seyesseemedtoshowsomereproachofK.forwantingtoimposethatsortofresponsibilityonhim."Thatwouldbevery



kindofyou",saidK."Andwouldthejudgethenbelieveyouandnonethelessnotpassanabsoluteacquittal?""It'slikeIjustsaid,"answeredthepainter."Andanyway,it'snotentirelysurethatallthejudgeswouldbelieveme,manyofthem,forinstance,mightwantmetobringyoutoseethempersonally.Sothenyou'dhavetocomealongtoo.Butatleastthen,ifthathappens,thematterishalfwaywon,especiallyasI'dteachyouinadvanceexactlyhowyou'dneedtoactwiththejudgeconcerned,ofcourse.Whatalsohappens,though,isthattherearesomejudgeswho'llturnmedowninadvance,andthat'sworse.I'llcertainlymakeseveralattempts,butstill,we'llhavetoforgetaboutthem,butatleastwecanaffordtodothatasnoonejudgecanpassthedecisiveverdict.ThenwhenI'vegotenoughjudges'signaturesonthisdocumentItakeittothejudgewho'sconcernedwithyourcase.Imightevenhavehissignaturealready,inwhichcasethingsdevelopabitquickerthantheywoulddootherwise.Buttherearen'tusuallymanyholdupsfromthenon,andthat'sthetimethatthedefendantcanfeelmostconfident.It'sodd,buttrue,thatpeoplefeelmoreconfidenceinthistimethantheydoafterthey'vebeenacquitted.There'snoparticularexertionneedednow.Whenhehasthedocumentassertingthedefendant'sinnocence,guaranteedbyanumberofotherjudges,thejudgecanacquityouwithoutanyworries,andalthoughtherearestillseveralformalitiestobegonethroughthere'snodoubtthatthat'swhathe'lldoasafavourtomeandseveralotheracquaintances.You,however,walkoutthecourtandyou'refree.""So,thenI'llbefree,"saidK.,hesitantly."That'sright,"saidthepainter,"butonlyapparentlyfreeor,toputitabetterway,temporarilyfree,asthemostjuniorjudges,theonesIknow,theydon'thavetherighttogivethefinalacquittal.Onlythehighest

judgecandothat,inthecourtthat'squiteoutofreachforyou,formeandforallofus.Wedon'tknowhowthingslookthereand,incidentally,wedon'twanttoknow.Therighttoacquitpeopleisamajorprivilegeandourjudgesdon'thaveit,buttheydohavetherighttofreepeoplefromtheindictment.That'stosay,ifthey'refreedinthiswaythenforthetimebeingthechargeiswithdrawnbutit'sstillhangingovertheirheadsanditonlytakesanorderfromhigheruptobringitbackintoforce.AndasI'minsuchgoodcontactwiththecourtIcanalsotellyouhowthedifferencebetweenabsoluteandapparentacquittalisdescribed,justinasuperficialway,inthedirectivestothecourtoffices.Ifthere'sanabsoluteacquittalallproceedingsshouldstop,everythingdisappearsfromtheprocess,notjusttheindictmentbutthetrialandeventheacquittaldisappears,everythingjustdisappears.Withanapparentacquittalit'sdifferent.Whenthathappens,nothinghaschangedexceptthatthecaseforyourinn

ocence,foryouracquittalandthegroundsfortheacquittalhavebeenmadestronger.Apartfromthat,proceedingsgoonasbefore,thecourtofficescontinuetheirbusinessandthecasegetspassedtohighercourts,getspassedbackdowntothelowercourtsandsoon,backwardsandforwards,sometimesfaster,sometimesslower,toandfro.It'simpossibletoknowexactlywhat'shappeningwhilethisisgoingon.Seenfromoutsideitcansometimesseemthateverythinghasbeenlongsinceforgotten,thedocumentshavebeenlostandtheacquittaliscomplete.No-onefamiliarwiththecourtwouldbelieveit.Nodocumentsevergetlost,thecourtforgetsnothing.Oneday-no-oneexpectsit-somejudgeorotherpicksupthedocumentsandlooksmorecloselyatthem,henoticesthatthisparticularcaseisstillactive,andordersthedefendant'simmediatearrest.I'vebeentalkinghereasifthere'salongdelaybetweenapparentacquittalandre-arrest,thatisquitepossibleandIdoknowofcaseslikethat,butit'sjustaslike

lythatthedefendantgoeshomeafterhe'sbeenacquittedandfindssomebodytherewaitingtore-arresthim.Then,ofcourse,hislifeasafreemanisatanend.""Anddoesthetrialstartoveragain?"askedK.,findingithardtobelieve."Thetrialwillalwaysstartoveragain,"saidthepainter,"butthereis,onceagainasbefore,thepossibilityofgettinganapparentacquittal.Onceagain,theaccusedhastomusterallhisstrengthandmustn'tgiveup."ThepaintersaidthatlastphrasepossiblyasaresultoftheimpressionthatK.,whoseshouldershaddroppedsomewhat,gaveonhim."Buttogetasecondacquittal,"askedK.,asifinanticipationoffurtherrevelationsbythepainter,"isthatnothardertogetthanthefirsttime?""Asfarasthat'sconcerned,"answeredthepainte



r,"there'snothingyoucansayforcertain.Youmean,doyou,thatthesecondarrestwouldhaveanadverseinfluenceonthejudgeandtheverdicthepassesonthedefendant?That'snothowithappens.Whentheacquittalispassedthejudgesarealreadyawarethatre-arrestislikely.Sowhenithappensithashardlyanyeffect.Buttherearecountlessotherreasonswhythejudges'moodandtheirlegalacumeninthecasecanbealtered,andeffortstoobtainthesecondacquittalmustthereforebesuitedtothenewconditions,andgenerallyjustasvigorousasthefirst.""Butthissecondacquittalwillonceagainnotbefinal,"saidK.,shakinghishead."Ofcoursenot,"saidthepainter,"thesecondacquittalisfollowedbythethirdarrest,thethirdacquittalbythefourtharrestandsoon.That'swhatismeantbythetermapparentacquittal."K.wassilent."Youclearlydon'tthinkanapparentacquittaloffersmuchadvantage,"saidthepainter,"perhapsdefermentwouldsuityoubetter.Wouldyoulikemetoexplainwhatdefermentisabout?"K.nodded.Thepainterhadleantbackandspreadhimselfoutinhischair,hisnightshirtwaswideopen,hehadpushedhishandinsideandwasstrokinghisbreastandhissides."Deferment,"saidthepainter,lookingvaguelyinfrontofhimselfforawhileasiftryingtofindaperfectlyappropriateexplanation,"defermentconsistsofkeepingproceedingspermanentlyintheirearlieststages.Todothat,theaccusedandthosehelpinghimneedtokeepincontinuouspersonalcontactwiththecourt,especiallythosehelpinghim.Irepeat,thisdoesn'trequiresomucheffortasgettinganapparentacquittal,butitprobablyrequiresalotmoreattention.Youmustneverletthetrialoutofyoursight,youhavetogoandseetheappropriatejudgeatregularintervalsaswellaswhensomethinginparticularcomesupand,whateveryoudo,youhavetotry

andremainfriendlywithhim;ifyoudon'tknowthejudgepersonallyyouhavetoinfluencehimthroughthejudgesyoudoknow,andyouhavetodoitwithoutgivinguponthedirectdiscussions.Aslongasyoudon'tfailtodoanyofthesethingsyoucanbereasonablysurethetrialwon'tgetpastitsfirststages.Thetrialdoesn'tstop,butthedefendantisalmostascertainofavoidingconvictionasifhe'dbeenacquitted.Comparedwithanapparentacquittal,defermenthastheadvantagethatthedefendant'sfutureislessuncertain,he'ssafefromtheshockofbeingsuddenlyre-arrestedanddoesn'tneedtofeartheexertionsandstressinvolvedingettinganapparentacquittaljustwheneverythingelseinhislifewouldmakeitmostdifficult.Defermentdoeshavecertaindisadvantagesofitsownthough,too,andtheyshouldn'tbeunder-estimated.Idon'tmeanbythisthatthedefendantisneverfree,he'sneverfreeinthepropersenseofthewordwithanapparentacquittaleither.There'sanotherdisadvantage.Proceedings

can'tbepreventedfrommovingforwardunlesstherearesomeatleastostensiblereasonsgiven.Sosomethingneedstoseemtobehappeningwhenlookedatfromtheoutside.Thismeansthatfromtimetotimevariousinjunctionshavetobeobeyed,theaccusedhastobequestioned,investigationshavetotakeplaceandsoon.Thetrial'sbeenartificiallyconstrainedinsideatinycircle,andithastobecontinuouslyspunroundwithinit.Andthat,ofcourse,bringswithitcertainunpleasantnessesfortheaccused,althoughyoushouldn'timaginethey'reallthatbad.Allofthisisjustforshow,theinterrogations,forinstance,they'reonlyveryshort,ifyoueverdon'thavethetimeordon'tfeellikegoingtothemyoucanofferanexcuse,withsomejudgesyoucanevenarrangetheinjunctionstogetheralongtimeinadvance,inessenceallitmeansisthat,astheaccused,youhavetoreporttothejudgefromtimetotime."EvenwhilethepainterwasspeakingthoselastwordsK.hadlaidhiscoatoverhisarmandhadstood

up.Immediately,fromoutsidethedoor,therewasacryof'He'sstandingupnow!'."Areyouleavingalready?"askedthepainter,whohadalsostoodup."Itmustbetheairthat'sdrivingyouout.I'mverysorryaboutthat.There'sstillalotIneedtotellyou.IhadtoputeverythingverybrieflybutIhopeatleastitwasallclear.""Ohyes,"saidK.,whoseheadwasachingfromtheeffortoflistening.Despitethisaffirmationthepaintersummeditalluponcemore,asifhewantedtogiveK.somethingtoconsolehimonhiswayhome."Bothhaveincommonthattheypreventthedefendantbeingconvicted,"hesaid."Buttheyalsopreventhisbeingproperlyacquitted,"saidK.quietly,asifashamedtoacknowledgeit."You'vegotit,inessence,"saidthepainterquickly.K.placedhisha



ndonhiswinterovercoatbutcouldnotbringhimselftoputiton.Mostofallhewouldhavelikedtopackeverythingtogetherandrunouttothefreshair.Noteventhegirlscouldinducehimtoputhiscoaton,eventhoughtheywerealreadyloudlytellingeachotherthathewasdoingso.ThepainterstillhadtointerpretK.'smoodinsomeway,sohesaid,"Iexpectyou'vedeliberatelyavoideddecidingbetweenmysuggestionsyet.That'sgood.Iwouldevenhaveadvisedagainstmakingadecisionstraightaway.There'snomorethanahair'sbreadthofdifferencebetweentheadvantagesanddisadvantages.Everythinghastobecarefullyweighedup.Butthemostimportantthingisyoushouldn'tlosetoomuchtime.""I'llcomebackhereagainsoon,"saidK.,whohadsuddenlydecidedtoputhisfrockcoaton,threwhisovercoatoverhisshoulderandhurriedovertothedoorbehindwhichthegirlsnowbegantoscream.K.thoughthecouldevenseethescreaminggirlsthroughthedoor."Well,you'llhavetokeepyourword,"saidthepainter,whohadnotfollowedhim,"otherwiseI'llcometothebanktoaskaboutitmyself.""Willyouopenthisdoorforme,"saidK.pullingatthehandlewhich,ashenoticedfromtheresistance,wasbeingheldtightlybythegirlsontheotherside."Doyouwanttobebotheredbythegirls?"askedthepainter."It'sbetterifyouusetheotherwayout,"hesaid,pointingtothedoorbehindthebed.K.agreedtothisandjumpedbacktothebed.ButinsteadofopeningthatdoorthepaintercrawledunderthebedandfromunderneathitaskedK.,"Justamomentmore,wouldyounotliketoseeapictureIcouldselltoyou?"K.didnotwanttobeimpolite,thepainterreallyhadtakenhissideandpromisedtohelphimmoreinthefuture,andbecauseofK.'sforgetfulnesstherehadbeennomentionofanypaymentforthepainter'shelp,soK.couldnotturnhimdownnowa

ndallowedhimtoshowhimthepicture,eventhoughhewasquiveringwithimpatiencetogetoutofthestudio.Fromunderthebed,thepainterwithdrewapileofunframedpaintings.TheyweresocoveredindustthatwhenthepaintertriedtoblowitofftheoneontopthedustswirledaroundinfrontofK.'seyes,robbinghimofbreathforsometime."Moorlandlandscape,"saidthepainterpassingthepicturetoK.Itshowedtwosicklytrees,wellseparatedfromeachotherindarkgrass.Inthebackgroundtherewasamulti-colouredsunset."That'snice,"saidK."I'llbuyit."K.expressedhimselfinthiscurtwaywithoutanythought,sohewasgladwhenthepainterdidnottakethisamissandpickedupasecondpaintingfromthefloor."Thisisacounterparttothefirstpicture,"saidthepainter.Perhapsithadbeenintendedasacounterpart,buttherewasnottheslightestdifferencetobeseenbetweenitandthefirstpicture,therewerethetrees,therethegrassandtherethesunset.Butthiswasoflittleimportancet

oK."Theyarebeautifullandscapes,"hesaid,"I'llbuythembothandhangtheminmyoffice.""Youseemtolikethissubject,"saidthepainter,pickingupathirdpainting,"goodjobI'vestillgotanother,similarpicturehere."Thepicturethough,wasnotsimilar,ratheritwasexactlythesamemoorlandlandscape.Thepainterwasfullyexploitingthisopportunitytoselloffhisoldpictures."I'lltakethisonetoo,"saidK."Howmuchdothethreepaintingscost?""Wecantalkaboutthatnexttime,"saidthepainter."You'reinahurrynow,andwe'llstillbeincontact.Andbesides,I'mgladyoulikethepaintings,I'llgiveyouallthepaintingsI'vegotdownhere.They'reallmoorlandlandscapes,I'vepaintedalotofmoorlandlandscapes.Alotofpeopledon'tlikethatsortofpicturebecausethey'retoogloomy,butthereareothers,andyou'reoneofthem,wholovegloomythemes."ButK.wasnotinthemoodtohearabouttheprofessionalexperiencesofthispaintercumbeggar."Wrapthemallup!"hecalledout,in

terruptingthepainterashewasspeaking,"myservantwillcometofetchtheminthemorning.""There'snoneedforthat,"saidthepainter."IexpectIcanfindaporterforyouwhocangowithyounow."And,atlast,heleantoverthebedandunlockedthedoor."Juststeponthebed,don'tworryaboutthat,"saidthepainter,"that'swhateveryonedoeswhocomesinhere."Evenwithoutthisinvitation,K.hadshownnocompunctioninalreadyplacinghisfootinthemiddleofthebedcovers,thenhelookedoutthroughtheopendooranddrewhisfootbackagain."Whatisthat?"heaskedthepainter."Whatareyousosurprisedat?"heasked,surprisedinhisturn."Thosearecourtoffices.Didn'tyouknowtherearecourtofficeshere?Therearecourtofficesinalmosteveryattic,whyshould



thisbuildingbeanydifferent?Evenmystudioisactuallyoneofthecourtofficesbutthecourtputitatmydisposal."ItwasnotsomuchfindingcourtofficesevenherethatshockedK.,hewasmainlyshockedathimself,athisownnaïvetyincourtmatters.Itseemedtohimthatoneofthemostbasicrulesgoverninghowadefendantshouldbehavewasalwaystobeprepared,neverallowsurprises,nevertolook,unsuspecting,totherightwhenthejudgestoodbesidehimtohisleft-andthiswastheverybasicrulethathewascontinuallyviolating.Alongcorridorextendedinfromofhim,airblewinfromitwhich,comparedwiththeairinthestudio,wasrefreshing.Therewerebenchessetalongeachsideofthecorridorjustasinthewaitingareafortheofficehewenttohimself.Thereseemedtobepreciserulesgoverninghowofficesshouldbeequipped.Theredidnotseemtobemanypeoplevisitingtheofficesthatday.Therewasamanthere,halfsitting,halflaying,hisfacewasburiedinhisarmonthebenchandheseemedtobesleeping;anothermanwasstandinginthehalf-darkattheendofthecorridor.K.nowclimbedoverthebed,thepainterfollowedhimwiththepictures.Theysooncameacrossaservantofthecourt-K.wasnowabletorecognisealltheservantsofthecourtfromthegoldbuttonstheyworeontheircivilianclothesbelowthenormalbuttons-andthepainterinstructedhimtogowithK.carryingthepictures.K.staggeredmorethanhewalked,hishandkerchiefpressedoverhismouth.Theyhadnearlyreachedtheexitwhenthegirlsstormedinonthem,soK.hadnotbeenabletoavoidthem.Theyhadclearlyseenthattheseconddoorofthestudiohadbeenopenedandhadgonearoundtoimposethemselvesonhimfromthisside."Ican'tcomewithyouanyfurther!"calledoutthepainterwithalaughasthegirlspressedin."Goodbye,anddon'thesitatetoolong!"

K.didnotevenlookroundathim.Onceonthestreethetookthefirstcabhecameacross.Henowhadtogetridoftheservant,whosegoldbuttoncontinuallycaughthiseyeevenifitcaughtno-oneelse's.Asaservant,theservantofthecourtwasgoingtositonthecoach-box.ButK.chasedhimdownfromthere.ItwasalreadywellintotheafternoonwhenK.arrivedinfrontofthebank.Hewouldhavelikedtoleavethepicturesinthecabbutfearedtheremightbesomeoccasionwhenhewouldhavetoletthepainterseehestillhadthem.Sohehadthepicturestakentohisofficeandlockedtheminthelowestdrawerofhisdesksothathecouldatleastkeepthemsafefromthedeputydirector'sviewforthenextfewdays.ChapterEightBlock,thebusinessman-Dismissingthelawyer

K.hadatlastmadethedecisiontowithdrawhisdefencefromthelawyer.Itwas

impossibletoremovehisdoubtsastowhetherthiswastherightdecision,butthiswasoutweighedbyhisbeliefinitsnecessity.Thisdecision,onthedayheintendedtogotoseethelawyer,tookalotofthestrengthheneededforhiswork,heworkedexceptionallyslowly,hehadtoremaininhisofficealongtime,anditwasalreadypastteno'clockwhenhefinallystoodinfrontofthelawyer'sfrontdoor.Evenbeforeherangheconsideredwhetheritmightnotbebettertogivethelawyernoticebyletterortelephone,apersonalconversationwouldcertainlybeverydifficult.Nonetheless,K.didnotactuallywanttodowithoutit,ifhegavenoticebyanyothermeansitwouldbereceivedinsilenceorwithafewformulatedwords,andunlessLenicoulddiscoveranythingK.wouldneverlearnhowthelawyerhadtakenhisdismissalandwhatitsconsequencesmightbe,inthelawyer'snotunimportantopinion.Butsittinginfrontofhimandtakenbysurprisebyhisdismissal,K.wouldbeableeasilytoinfereverythinghe

wantedfromthelawyer'sfaceandbehaviour,evenifhecouldnotbeinducedtosayverymuch.ItwasnotevenoutofthequestionthatK.might,afterall,bepersuadedthatitwouldbebesttoleavehisdefencetothelawyerandwithdrawhisdismissal.

Asusual,therewasatfirstnoresponsetoK.'sringatthedoor."Lenicouldbeabitquicker,"thoughtK.Buthecouldatleastbegladtherewasnobodyelseinterferingasusuallyhappened,beitthemaninhisnightshirtoranyoneelsewhomightbotherhim.AsK.pressedonthebuttonforthesecondtimehelookedbackattheotherdoor,butthistimeit,too,remainedclosed.Atlast,twoey



esappearedatthespy-hatchinthelawyer'sdoor,althoughtheyweren'tLeni'seyes.Someoneunlockedthedoor,butkepthimselfpressedagainstitashecalledbackinside,"It'shim!",andonlythendidheopenthedoorproperly.K.pushedagainstthedoor,asbehindhimhecouldalreadyhearthekeybeinghurriedlyturnedinthelockofthedoortotheotherflat.Whenthedoorinfrontofhimfinallyopened,hestormedstraightintothehallway.ThroughthecorridorwhichledbetweentheroomshesawLeni,towhomthewarningcryofthedooropenerhadbeendirected,stillrunningawayinhernightshirt.Helookedatherforamomentandthenlookedroundatthepersonwhohadopenedthedoor.Itwasasmall,wizenedmanwithafullbeard,heheldacandleinhishand."Doyouworkhere?"askedK."No,"answeredtheman,"Idon'tbelonghereatall,thelawyerisonlyrepresentingme,I'mhereonlegalbusiness.""Withoutyourcoat?"askedK.,indicatingtheman'sdeficiencyofdresswithagestureofhishand."Oh,doforgiveme!"saidtheman,andhelookedathimselfinthelightofthecandlehewasholdingasifhehadnotknownabouthisappearanceuntilthen."IsLeniyourlover?"askedK.curtly.Hehadsethislegsslightlyapart,hishands,inwhichheheldhishat,werebehindhisback.Merelybybeinginpossessionofathickovercoathefelthisadvantageoverthisthinlittleman."OhGod,"hesaidand,shocked,raisedonehandinfrontofhisfaceasifindefence,"no,no,whatcanyoubethinking?""Youlookhonestenough,"saidK.withasmile,"butcomealonganyway."K.indicatedwithhishatwhichwaythemanwastogoandlethimgoaheadofhim."Whatisyournamethen?"askedK.ontheway."Block.I'mabusinessman,"saidthesmallman,twistinghimselfroundashethusintroducedhimself,althoughK.didnotallowhimtostopmoving."Isthatyourrealname

?"askedK."Ofcourseitis,"wastheman'sreply,"whydoyoudoubtit?""Ithoughtyoumighthavesomereasontokeepyournamesecret,"saidK.Hefelthimselfasmuchatlibertyasisnormallyonlyfeltinforeignpartswhenspeakingwithpeopleoflowerstanding,keepingeverythingabouthimselftohimself,speakingonlycasuallyabouttheinterestsoftheother,abletoraisehimtoalevelaboveone'sown,butalsoable,atwill,tolethimdropagain.K.stoppedatthedoorofthelawyer'soffice,openeditand,tothebusinessmanwhohadobedientlygoneahead,called,"Notsofast!Bringsomelighthere!"K.thoughtLenimighthavehiddeninhere,heletthebusinessmansearchineverycorner,buttheroomwasempty.InfrontofthepictureofthejudgeK.tookholdofthebusinessman'sbracestostophimmovingon."Doyouknowhim?"heasked,pointingupwardswithhisfinger.Thebusinessmanliftedthecandle,blinkedashelookedupandsaid,"It'sajudge.""Animportantjudge?"askedK.,andstoodtotheside

andinfrontofthebusinessmansothathecouldobservewhatimpressionthepicturehadonhim.Thebusinessmanwaslookingupinadmiration."He'sanimportantjudge.""Youdon'thavemuchinsight,"saidK."Heisthelowestofthelowestexaminingjudges.""Iremembernow,"saidthebusinessmanasheloweredthecandle,"that'swhatI'vealreadybeentold.""Wellofcourseyouhave,"calledoutK.,"I'dforgottenaboutit,ofcourseyouwouldalreadyhavebeentold.""Butwhy,why?"askedthebusinessmanashemovedforwardstowardsthedoor,propelledbythehandsofK.OutsideinthecorridorK.said,"YouknowwhereLeni'shidden,doyou?""Hidden?"saidthebusinessman,"No,butshemightbeinthekitchencookingsoupforthelawyer.""Whydidn'tyousaythatimmediately?"askedK."Iwasgoingtotakeyouthere,butyoucalledmebackagain,"answeredthebusinessman,asifconfusedbythecontradictorycommands."Youthinkyou'reveryclever,don'tyou,"saidK,"nowtakemethere!"K.hadneverbeeninthekitchen

,itwassurprisinglybigandverywellequipped.Thestovealonewasthreetimesbiggerthannormalstoves,butitwasnotpossibletoseeanydetailbeyondthisasthekitchenwasatthetimeilluminatedbynomorethanasmalllamphangingbytheentrance.AtthestovestoodLeni,inawhiteapronasalways,breakingeggsintoapotstandingonaspiritlamp."Goodevening,Josef,"shesaidwithaglancesideways."Goodevening,"saidK.,pointingwithonehandtoachairinacornerwhichthebusinessmanwastositon,andhedidindeedsitdownonit.K.howeverwentveryclosebehindLeni'sback,leantoverhershoulderandasked,"Whoisthisman?"LeniputonehandaroundK.asshestirredthesoupwiththeother,shedrewhimforwardtowardherselfandsaid,"He'sapitifulcharac



ter,apoorbusinessmanbythenameofBlock.Justlookathim."Thetwoofthemlookedbackovertheirshoulders.ThebusinessmanwassittingonthechairthatK.haddirectedhimto,hehadextinguishedthecandlewhoselightwasnolongerneededandpressedonthewickwithhisfingerstostopthesmoke."Youwereinyournightshirt,"saidK.,puttinghishandonherheadandturningitbacktowardsthestove.Shewassilent."Isheyourlover?"askedK.Shewasabouttotakeholdofthepotofsoup,butK.tookbothherhandsandsaid,"Answerme!"Shesaid,"Comeintotheoffice,I'llexplaineverythingtoyou.""No,"saidK.,"Iwantyoutoexplainithere."Sheputherarmsaroundhimandwantedtokisshim.K.,though,pushedherawayandsaid,"Idon'twantyoutokissmenow.""Josef,"saidLeni,lookingatK.imploringlybutfranklyintheeyes,"you'renotgoingtobejealousofMr.Blocknow,areyou?Rudi,"shethensaid,turningtothebusinessman,"helpmeoutwillyou,I'mbeingsuspectedofsomething,youcanseethat,leavethecandlealone."IthadlookedasthoughMr.Blockhadnotbeenpayingattentionbuthehadbeenfollowingclosely."Idon'tevenknowwhyyoumightbejealous,"hesaidingenuously."NordoI,actually,"saidK.,lookingatthebusinessmanwithasmile.LenilaughedoutloudandwhileK.wasnotpayingattentiontooktheopportunityofembracinghimandwhispering,"Leavehimalone,now,youcanseewhatsortofpersonheis.I'vebeenhelpinghimalittlebitbecausehe'sanimportantclientofthelawyer's,andnootherreason.Andwhataboutyou?Doyouwanttospeaktothelawyeratthistimeofday?He'sveryunwelltoday,butifyouwantI'lltellhimyou'rehere.Butyoucancertainlyspendthenightwithme.It'ssolongsinceyouwerelasthere,eventhelawyerhasbeenaskingaboutyou.Don'tneglectyourcase!AndI'vegotsomethings

totellyouthatI'velearnedabout.Butnow,beforeanythingelse,takeyourcoatoff!"Shehelpedhimoffwithhiscoat,tookthehatoffhishead,ranwiththethingsintothehallwaytohangthemup,thensheranbackandsawtothesoup."Doyouwantmetotellhimyou'reherestraightawayortakehimhissoupfirst?""TellhimI'mherefirst,"saidK.Hewasinabadmood,hehadoriginallyintendedadetaileddiscussionofhisbusinesswithLeni,especiallythequestionofhisgivingthelawyernotice,butnowhenolongerwantedtobecauseofthepresenceofthebusinessman.Nowheconsideredhisaffairtooimportanttoletthislittlebusinessmantakepartinitandperhapschangesomeofhisdecisions,andsohecalledLenibackeventhoughshewasalreadyonherwaytothelawyer."Bringhimhissoupfirst,"hesaid,"Iwanthimtogethisstrengthupforthediscussionwithme,he'llneedit.""You'reaclientofthelawyer'stoo,aren'tyou,"saidthebusinessmanquietlyfromhiscornerasifheweretryingto

findthisout.Itwasnot,however,takenwell."Whatbusinessisthatofyours?"saidK.,andLenisaid,"Willyoubequiet.-I'lltakehimhissoupfirstthen,shallI?"Andshepouredthesoupintoadish."Theonlyworrythenisthathemightgotosleepsoonafterhe'seaten.""WhatI'vegottosaytohimwillkeephimawake,"saidK.,whostillwantedtointimatethatheintendedsomeimportantnegotiationswiththelawyer,hewantedLenitoaskhimwhatitwasandonlythentoaskheradvice.Butinstead,shejustpromptlycarriedouttheorderhehadgivenher.Whenshewentovertohimwiththedishshedeliberatelybrushedagainsthimandwhispered,"I'lltellhimyou'rehereassoonashe'seatenthesoupsothatIcangetyoubackassoonaspossible.""Justgo,"saidK.,"justgo.""Beabitmorefriendly,"shesaidand,stillholdingthedish,turnedcompletelyroundoncemoreinthedoorway.

K.watchedherasshewent;thedecisionhadfinallybeenmadethatthelawyerwastobedismissed,itwasprobablybetterthathehadnotbeenabletodiscussthematteranymorewithLenibeforehand;shehardlyunderstoodthecomplexityofthematter,shewouldcertainlyhaveadvisedhimagainstitandperhapswouldevenhavepreventedhimfromdismissingthelawyerthistime,hewouldhaveremainedindoubtanduneaseandeventuallyhavecarriedouthisdecisionafterawhileanywayasthisdecisionwassomethinghecouldnotavoid.Thesooneritwascarriedoutthemoreharmwouldbeavoided.Andmoreover,perhapsthebusinessmanhadsomethingtosayonthematter.



K.turnedround,thebusinessmanhardlynoticeditashewasabouttostandup."Staywhereyouare,"saidK.andpulledupachairbesidehim."Haveyoubeenaclientofthelawyer'sforalongtime?"askedK."Yes,"saidthebusinessman,"averylongtime.""Howmanyyearshashebeenrepresentingyousofar,then?"askedK."Idon'tknowhowyoumean,"saidthebusinessman,"he'sbeenmybusinesslawyer-Ibuyandsellcereals-he'sbeenmybusinesslawyersinceItookthebusinessover,andthat'sabouttwentyyearsnow,butperhapsyoumeanmyowntrialandhe'sbeenrepresentingmeinthatsinceitstarted,andthat'sbeenmorethanfiveyears.Yes,welloverfiveyears,"hethenadded,pullingoutanoldbriefcase,"I'vegoteverythingwrittendown;Icantellyoutheexactdatesifyoulike.It'ssohardtoremembereverything.Probably,mytrial'sbeengoingonmuchlongerthanthat,itstartedsoonafterthedeathofmywife,andthat'sbeenmorethanfiveandahalfyearsnow."K.movedinclosertohim."Sothelawyertakesonordinarylegalbusiness,doeshe?"heasked.ThiscombinationofcriminalandcommercialbusinessseemedsurprisinglyreassuringforK."Ohyes,"saidthebusinessman,andthenhewhispered,"Theyevensayhe'smoreefficientinjurisprudencethanheisinothermatters."Butthenheseemedtoregretsayingthis,andhelaidahandonK.'sshoulderandsaid,"Pleasedon'tbetraymetohim,willyou."K.pattedhisthightoreassurehimandsaid,"No,Idon'tbetraypeople.""Hecanbesovindictive,yousee,"saidthebusinessman."I'msurehewon'tdoanythingagainstsuchafaithfulclientasyou,"saidK."Oh,hemightdo,"saidthebusinessman,"whenhegetscrossitdoesn'tmatterwhoitis,andanyway,I'mnotreallyfaithfultohim.""How'sthatthen?"askedK."I'mnotsureIshouldtellyouaboutit,"saidthebusinessmanhesitantly."Ithink

it'llbealright,"saidK."Wellthen,"saidthebusinessman,"I'lltellyouaboutsomeofit,butyou'llhavetotellmeasecrettoo,thenwecansupporteachotherwiththelawyer.""Youareverycareful,"saidK.,"butI'lltellyouasecretthatwillsetyourmindcompletelyatease.Nowtellme,inwhatwayhaveyoubeenunfaithfultothelawyer?""I've…"saidthebusinessmanhesitantly,andinatoneasifhewereconfessingsomethingdishonourable,"I'vetakenonotherlawyersbesideshim.""That'snotsoserious,"saidK.,alittledisappointed."Itis,here,"saidthebusinessman,whohadhadsomedifficultybreathingsincemakinghisconfessionbutwhonow,afterhearingK.'scomment,begantofeelmoretrustforhim."That'snotallowed.Andit'sallowedleastofalltotakeonpettylawyerswhenyou'vealreadygotaproperone.Andthat'sjustwhatIhavedone,besideshimI'vegotfivepettylawyers.""Five!"exclaimedK.,astonishedatthisnumber,"Fivelawyersbesidesthisone?"Thebusinessmannodded."I'm

evennegotiatingwithasixthone.""Butwhydoyouneedsomanylawyers?"askedK."Ineedallofthem,"saidthebusinessman."Wouldyoumindexplainingthattome?"askedK."I'dbegladto,"saidthebusinessman."Mostofall,Idon'twanttolosemycase,wellthat'sobvious.SothatmeansImustn'tneglectanythingthatmightbeofusetome;evenifthere'sverylittlehopeofaparticularthingbeingofanyuseIcan'tjustthrowitaway.SoeverythingIhaveI'veputtouseinmycase.I'vetakenallthemoneyoutofmybusiness,forexample,theofficesformybusinessusedtooccupynearlyawholefloor,butnowallIneedisalittleroomatthebackwhereIworkwithoneapprentice.Itwasn'tjustusingupthemoneythatcausedthedifficulty,ofcourse,itwasmuchmoretodowithmenotworkingatthebusinessasmuchasIusedto.Ifyouwanttodosomethingaboutyourtrialyoudon'thavemuchtimeforanythingelse.""Soyou'realsoworkingatthecourtyourself?"askedK."That'sjustwhatIwanttolearn

moreabout.""Ican'ttellyouverymuchaboutthat,"saidthebusinessman,"atfirstItriedtodothattoobutIsoonhadtogiveitupagain.Itwearsyououttoomuch,andit'sreallynotmuchuse.Anditturnedouttobequiteimpossibletoworkthereyourselfandtonegotiate,atleastformeitwas.It'saheavystraintherejustsittingandwaiting.Youknowyourselfwhattheairislikeinthoseoffices.""HowdoyouknowI'vebeenthere,then?"askedK."Iwasinthewaitingroommyselfwhenyouwentthrough.""Whatacoincidencethatis!"exclaimedK.,totallyengrossedandforgettinghowridiculousthebusinessmanhadseemedtohimearlier."Soyousawme!YouwereinthewaitingroomwhenIwentthrough.Yes,Ididgothroughitonetime.""Itisn'tsuchabigcoincidence,"sa



idthebusinessman,"I'mtherenearlyeveryday.""IexpectI'llhavetogotherequiteoftenmyselfnow,"saidK.,"althoughIcanhardlyexpecttobeshownthesamerespectasIwasthen.Theyallstoodupforme.TheymusthavethoughtIwasajudge.""No,"saidthebusinessman,"weweregreetingtheservantofthecourt.Weknewyouwereadefendant.Thatsortofnewsspreadsveryquickly.""Soyoualreadyknewaboutthat,"saidK.,"thewayIbehavedmusthaveseemedveryarroganttoyou.Didyoucriticisemeforitafterwards?""No,"saidthebusinessman,"quitetheopposite.Thatwasjuststupidity.""Whatdoyoumean,'stupidity'?"askedK."Whyareyouaskingaboutit?"saidthebusinessmaninsomeirritation."Youstilldon'tseemtoknowthepeoplethereandyoumighttakeitwrong.Don'tforgetinproceedingslikethistherearealwayslotsofdifferentthingscominguptotalkabout,thingsthatyoujustcan'tunderstandwithreasonalone,youjustgettootiredanddistractedformostthingsandso,instead,peoplerelyonsuperstition.I'mtalkingabouttheothers,butI'mnobettermyself.Oneofthesesuperstitions,forexample,isthatyoucanlearnalotabouttheoutcomeofadefendant'scasebylookingathisface,especiallytheshapeofhislips.Therearelotswhobelievethat,andtheysaidtheycouldseefromtheshapeofyourlipsthatyou'ddefinitelybefoundguiltyverysoon.Irepeatthatallthisisjustaridiculoussuperstition,andinmostcasesit'scompletelydisprovedbythefacts,butwhenyouliveinthatsocietyit'shardtoholdyourselfbackfrombeliefslikethat.Justthinkhowmucheffectthatsuperstitioncanhave.Youspoketooneofthemthere,didn'tyou?Hewashardlyabletogiveyouananswer.Therearelotsofthingstherethatcanmakeyouconfused,ofcourse,butoneofthem,forhim,wastheappearanceofyourlips.Hetoldusall

laterhethoughthecouldseesomethinginyourlipsthatmeanthe'dbeconvictedhimself.""Onmylips?"askedK.,pullingoutapocketmirrorandexamininghimself."Icanseenothingspecialaboutmylips.Canyou?""NorcanI,"saidthebusinessman,"nothingatall.""Thesepeoplearesosuperstitious!"exclaimedK."Isn'tthatwhatIjusttoldyou?"askedthebusinessman."Doyouthenhavethatmuchcontactwitheachother,exchangingeachother'sopinions?"saidK."I'vekeptmyselfcompletelyapartsofar.""Theydon'tnormallyhavemuchcontactwitheachother,"saidthebusinessman,"thatwouldbeimpossible,therearesomanyofthem.Andtheydon'thavemuchincommoneither.Ifagroupofthemeverthinkstheyhavefoundsomethingincommonitsoonturnsouttheyweremistaken.There'snothingyoucandoasagroupwherethecourt'sconcerned.Eachcaseisexaminedseparately,thecourtisverypainstaking.Sothere'snothingtobeachievedbyformingintoagroup,onlysometimesanindividualwillachievesometh

inginsecret;andit'sonlywhenthat'sbeendonetheotherslearnaboutit;nobodyknowshowitwasdone.Sothere'snosenseoftogetherness,youmeetpeoplenowandtheninthewaitingrooms,butwedon'ttalkmuchthere.Thesuperstitiousbeliefswereestablishedalongtimeagoandtheyspreadallbythemselves.""Isawthosegentlemeninthewaitingroom,"saidK.,"itseemedsopointlessforthemtobewaitinginthatway.""Waitingisnotpointless,"saidthebusinessman,"it'sonlypointlessifyoutryandinterfereyourself.ItoldyoujustnowI'vegotfivelawyersbesidesthisone.Youmightthink-Ithoughtitmyselfatfirst-youmightthinkIcouldleavethewholethingentirelyuptothemnow.Thatwouldbeentirelywrong.IcanleaveituptothemlessthanwhenIhadjusttheone.Maybeyoudon'tunderstandthat,doyou?""No,"saidK.,andtoslowthebusinessmandown,whohadbeenspeakingtoofast,helaidhishandonthebusinessman'storeassurehim,"butI'dlikejusttoaskyoutospeakalittlem

oreslowly,thesearemanyveryimportantthingsforme,andIcan'tfollowexactlywhatyou'resaying.""You'requiterighttoremindmeofthat,"saidthebusinessman,"you'renewtoallthis,ajunior.Yourtrialissixmonthsold,isn'tit?Yes,I'veheardaboutit.Suchanewcase!ButI'vealreadythoughtallthesethingsthroughcountlesstimes,tomethey'rethemostobviousthingsintheworld.""Youmustbegladyourtrialhasalreadyprogressedsofar,areyou?"askedK.,hedidnotwishtoaskdirectlyhowthebusinessman'saffairsstood,butreceivednoclearansweranyway."Yes,I'vebeenworkingatmytrialforfiveyearsnow,"saidthebusinessmanashisheadsank,"that'snosmallachievement."Thenhewassilentforawhile.K.listenedtohearwhetherLeniwasonherway



back.Ontheonehandhedidnotwanthertocomebacktoosoonashestillhadmanyquestionstoaskanddidnotwanthertofindhiminthisintimatediscussionwiththebusinessman,butontheotherhanditirritatedhimthatshestayedsolongwiththelawyerwhenK.wasthere,muchlongerthansheneededtogivehimhissoup."Istillrememberitexactly,"thebusinessmanbeganagain,andK.immediatelygavehimhisfullattention,"whenmycasewasasoldasyoursisnow.IonlyhadthisonelawyeratthattimebutIwasn'tverysatisfiedwithhim."NowI'llfindouteverything,thoughtK.,noddingvigorouslyasifhecouldtherebyencouragethebusinessmantosayeverythingworthknowing."Mycase,"thebusinessmancontinued,"didn'tmoveonatall,thereweresomehearingsthattookplaceandIwenttoeveryoneofthem,collectedmaterials,handedallmybusinessbookstothecourt-whichIlaterfoundwasentirelyunnecessary-Iranbackandforthtothelawyer,andhesubmittedvariousdocumentstothecourttoo…""Variousdocuments?"askedK."Yes,that'sright,"saidthebusinessman."That'sveryimportantforme,"saidK.,"inmycasehe'sstillworkingonthefirstsetofdocuments.Hestillhasn'tdoneanything.Iseenowthathe'sbeenneglectingmequitedisgracefully.""Therecanbelotsofgoodreasonswhythefirstdocumentsstillaren'tready,"saidthebusinessman,"andanyway,itturnedoutlateronthattheoneshesubmittedformewereentirelyworthless.Ievenreadoneofthemmyself,oneoftheofficialsatthecourtwasveryhelpful.Itwasverylearned,butitdidn'tactuallysayanything.Mostofall,therewaslotsofLatin,whichIcan'tunderstand,thenpagesandpagesofgeneralappealstothecourt,thenlotsofflatteryforparticularofficials,theyweren'tnamed,theseofficials,butanyonefamiliarwiththecourtmusthavebeenabletoguesswho

theywere,thentherewasself-praisebythelawyerwherehehumiliatedhimselftothecourtinawaythatwasdownrightdog-like,andthenendlessinvestigationsofcasesfromthepastwhichweresupposedtobesimilartomine.Although,asfarasIwasabletofollowthem,theseinvestigationshadbeencarriedoutverycarefully.Now,Idon'tmeantocriticisethelawyer'sworkwithallofthis,andthedocumentIreadwasonlyoneofmany,butevenso,andthisissomethingIwillsay,atthattimeIcouldn'tseeanyprogressinmytrialatall.""Andwhatsortofprogresshadyoubeenhopingfor?"askedK."That'saverysensiblequestion,"saidthebusinessmanwithasmile,"it'sonlyveryrarethatyouseeanyprogressintheseproceedingsatall.ButIdidn'tknowthatthen.I'mabusinessman,muchmoreinthosedaysthannow,Iwantedtoseesometangibleprogress,itshouldhaveallbeenmovingtosomeconclusionoratleastshouldhavebeenmovingoninsomewayaccordingtotherules.Insteadofwhichtherewere

justmorehearings,andmostofthemwentthroughthesamethingsanyway;Ihadalltheanswersoffpatlikeinachurchservice;thereweremessengersfromthecourtcomingtomeatworkseveraltimesaweek,ortheycametomeathomeoranywhereelsetheycouldfindme;andthatwasverydisturbingofcourse(butatleastnowthingsarebetterinthatrespect,it'smuchlessdisturbingwhentheycontactyoubytelephone),andrumoursaboutmytrialevenstartedtospreadamongsomeofthepeopleIdobusinesswith,andespeciallymyrelations,soIwasbeingmadetosufferinmanydifferentwaysbuttherewasstillnottheslightestsignthateventhefirsthearingwouldtakeplacesoon.SoIwenttothelawyerandcomplainedaboutit.Heexplaineditalltomeatlength,butrefusedtodoanythingIaskedfor,no-onehasanyinfluenceonthewaythetrialproceeds,hesaid,totryandinsistonitinanyofthedocumentssubmitted-likeIwasasking-wassimplyunheardofandwoulddoharmtobothhimandme.Ithought

tomyself:Whatthislawyercan'torwon'tdoanotherlawyerwill.SoIlookedroundforotherlawyers.Andbeforeyousayanything:noneofthemaskedforadefinitedateforthemaintrialandnoneofthemgotone,andanyway,apartfromoneexceptionwhichI'lltalkaboutinaminute,itreallyisimpossible,that'sonethingthislawyerdidn'tmisleadmeabout;butbesides,Ihadnoreasontoregretturningtootherlawyers.Perhapsyou'vealreadyheardhowDr.Huldtalksaboutthepettylawyers,heprobablymadethemsoundverycontemptibletoyou,andhe'sright,theyarecontemptible.Butwhenhetalksaboutthemandcomparesthemwithhimselfandhiscolleaguesthere'sasmallerrorrunningthroughwhathesays,and,justforyourinterest,I'lltellyouaboutit.Whenhetalksab



outthelawyershemixeswithhesetsthemapartbycallingthemthe'greatlawyers'.That'swrong,anyonecancallhimself'great'ifhewantsto,ofcourse,butinthiscaseonlytheusageofthecourtcanmakethatdistinction.Yousee,thecourtsaysthatbesidesthepettylawyerstherearealsominorlawyersandgreatlawyers.Thisoneandhiscolleaguesareonlyminorlawyers,andthedifferenceinrankbetweenthemandthegreatlawyers,whoI'veonlyeverheardaboutandneverseen,isincomparablygreaterthanbetweentheminorlawyersandthedespisedpettylawyers.""Thegreatlawyers?"askedK."Whoaretheythen?Howdoyoucontactthem?""You'veneverheardaboutthem,then?"saidthebusinessman."There'shardlyanyonewho'sbeenaccusedwhodoesn'tspendalotoftimedreamingaboutthegreatlawyersoncehe'sheardaboutthem.It'sbestifyoudon'tletyourselfbemisledinthatway.Idon'tknowwhothegreatlawyersare,andthere'sprobablynowayofcontactingthem.Idon'tknowofanycaseIcantalkaboutwithcertaintywherethey'vetakenanypart.Theydodefendalotofpeople,butyoucan'tgetholdofthembyyourownefforts,theyonlydefendthosewhotheywanttodefend.AndIdon'tsupposetheyevertakeoncasesthathaven'talreadygotpastthelowercourts.Anyway,it'sbestnottothinkaboutthem,asifyoudoitmakesthediscussionswiththeotherlawyers,alltheiradviceandallthattheydomanagetoachieve,seemsounpleasantanduseless,Ihadthatexperiencemyself,justwantedtothroweverythingawayandlayathomeinbedandhearnothingmoreaboutit.Butthat,ofcourse,wouldbethestupidestthingyoucoulddo,andyouwouldn'tbeleftinpeaceinbedforverylongeither.""Soyouweren'tthinkingaboutthegreatlawyersatthattime?"askedK."Notforverylong,"saidthebusinessman,andsmiledagain,"youcan'tforgetaboutthem

entirely,I'mafraid,especiallyinthenightwhenthesethoughtscomesoeasily.ButIwantedimmediateresultsinthosedays,soIwenttothepettylawyers."

"Welllookatyoutwosathuddledtogether!"calledLeniasshecamebackwiththedishandstoodinthedoorway.Theywereindeedsatclosetogether,ifeitherofthemturnedhisheadevenslightlyitwouldhaveknockedagainsttheother's,thebusinessmanwasnotonlyverysmallbutalsosathuncheddown,sothatK.wasalsoforcedtobenddownlowifhewantedtoheareverything."Notquiteyet!"calledoutK.,toturnLeniaway,hishand,stillrestingonthebusinessman'shand,twitchingwithimpatience."Hewantedmetotellhimaboutmytrial,"saidthebusinessmantoLeni."Carryon,then,carryon,"shesaid.Shespoketothebusinessmanwithaffectionbut,atthesametime,withcondescension.K.did

notlikethat,hehadbeguntolearnthatthemanwasofsomevalueafterall,hehadexperienceatleast,andhewaswillingtoshareit.Leniwasprobablywrongabouthim.HewatchedherinirritationasLeninowtookthecandlefromthebusinessman'shand-whichhehadbeenholdingontoallthistime-wipedhishandwithherapronandthenkneltbesidehimtoscratchoffsomewaxthathaddrippedfromthecandleontohistrousers."Youwereabouttotellmeaboutthepettylawyers,"saidK.,shovingLeni'shandawaywithnofurthercomment."What'swrongwithyoutoday?"askedLeni,tappedhimgentlyandcarriedonwithwhatshehadbeendoing."Yes,thepettylawyers,"saidthebusinessman,puttinghishandtohisbrowasifthinkinghard.K.wantedtohelphimandsaid,"Youwantedimmediateresultsandsowenttothepettylawyers.""Yes,that'sright,"saidthebusinessman,butdidnotcontinuewithwhathe'dbeensaying."Maybehedoesn'twanttospeakaboutitinfrontofLeni,"thoughtK.,suppressinghisimpati

encetohearthereststraightaway,andstoppedtryingtopresshim.

"HaveyoutoldhimI'mhere?"heaskedLeni."CourseIhave,"shesaid,"he'swaitingforyou.LeaveBlockalonenow,youcantalktoBlocklater,he'llstillbehere."K.stillhesitated."You'llstillbehere?"heaskedthebusinessman,wantingtoheartheanswerfromhimandnotwantingLenitospeakaboutthebusinessmanasifheweren'tthere,hewasfullofsecretresentmenttowardsLenitoday.AndoncemoreitwasonlyLeniwhoanswered."Heoftensleepshere.""Hesleepshere?"exclaimedK.,hehadthoughtthebusinessmanwouldjustwaitthereforhimwhilehequicklysettledhisbusinesswiththelawyer,andthentheywould



leavetogethertodiscusseverythingthoroughlyandundisturbed."Yes,"saidLeni,"noteveryone'slikeyou,Josef,allowedtoseethelawyeratanytimeyoulike.Dodon'tevenseemsurprisedthatthelawyer,despitebeingill,stillreceivesyouateleveno'clockatnight.Youtakeitfartoomuchforgranted,whatyourfriendsdoforyou.Well,yourfriends,oratleastIdo,weliketodothingsforyou.Idon'twantorneedanymorethanksthanthatyou'refondofme.""Fondofyou?"thoughtK.atfirst,andonlythenitoccurredtohim,"Well,yes,Iamfondofher."Nonetheless,whathesaid,forgettingalltherest,was,"HereceivesmebecauseIamhisclient.IfIneededanyoneelse'shelpI'dhavetobegandshowgratitudewheneverIdoanything.""He'sreallynastytoday,isn'the?"Leniaskedthebusinessman."Nowit'smewho'snothere,"thoughtK.,andnearlylosthistemperwiththebusinessmanwhen,withthesamerudenessasLeni,hesaid,"Thelawyeralsohasotherreasonstoreceivehim.Hiscaseismuchmoreinterestingthanmine.Andit'sonlyinitsearlystagestoo,itprobablyhasn'tprogressedveryfarsothelawyerstilllikestodealwithhim.That'llallchangelateron.""Yeah,yeah,"saidLeni,lookingatthebusinessmanandlaughing."Hedoesn'thalftalk!"shesaid,turningtofaceK."Youcan'tbelieveawordhesays.He'sastalkativeasheissweet.Maybethat'swhythelawyercan'tstandhim.Atleast,heonlyseeshimwhenhe'sintherightmood.I'vealreadytriedhardtochangethatbutit'simpossible.Justthink,therearetimeswhenItellhimBlock'shereandhedoesn'treceivehimuntilthreedayslater.AndifBlockisn'tonthespotwhenhe'scalledtheneverything'slostanditallhastostartalloveragain.That'swhyIletBlocksleephere,itwouldn'tbethefirsttimeDr.Huldhaswantedtoseehiminthenight.SonowBlockisready

forthat.Sometimes,whenheknowsBlockisstillhere,he'llevenchangehismindaboutlettinghimintoseehim."K.lookedquestioninglyatthebusinessman.Thelatternoddedand,althoughhehadspokenquiteopenlywithK.earlier,seemedtobeconfusedwithshameashesaid,"Yes,lateronyoubecomeverydependentonyourlawyer.""He'sonlypretendingtomind,"saidLeni."Helikestosleepherereally,he'softensaidso."Shewentovertoalittledoorandshoveditopen."Doyouwanttoseehisbedroom?"sheasked.K.wentovertothelow,windowlessroomandlookedinfromthedoorway.Theroomcontainedanarrowbedwhichfilleditcompletely,sothattogetintothebedyouwouldneedtoclimboverthebedpost.Attheheadofthebedtherewasanicheinthewallwhere,fastidiouslytidy,stoodacandle,abottleofink,andapenwithabundleofpaperswhichwereprobablytodowiththetrial."Yousleepinthemaid'sroom?"askedK.,ashewentbacktothebusinessman."Leni'sletmehaveit,"answeredtheb

usinessman,"ithasmanyadvantages."K.lookedlongathim;hisfirstimpressionofthebusinessmanhadperhapsnotbeenright;hehadexperienceashistrialhadalreadylastedalongtime,buthehadpaidaheavypriceforthisexperience.K.wassuddenlyunabletobearthesightofthebusinessmananylonger."Bringhimtobed,then!"hecalledouttoLeni,whoseemedtounderstandhim.Forhimself,hewantedtogotothelawyerand,bydismissinghim,freehimselffromnotonlythelawyerbutalsofromLeniandthebusinessman.Butbeforehehadreachedthedoorthebusinessmanspoketohimgently."Excuseme,sir,"hesaid,andK.lookedroundcrossly."You'veforgottenyourpromise,"saidthebusinessman,stretchinghishandouttoK.imploringlyfromwherehesat."Youweregoingtotellmeasecret.""Thatistrue,"saidK.,asheglancedatLeni,whowaswatchinghimcarefully,tocheckonher."Solisten;it'shardlyasecretnowanyway.I'mgoingtoseethelawyernowtosackhim.""He'ssackinghim!"yelledthe

businessman,andhejumpedupfromhischairandranaroundthekitchenwithhisarmsintheair.Hekeptonshouting,"He'ssackinghislawyer!"LenitriedtorushatK.butthebusinessmangotinherwaysothatsheshovedhimawaywithherfists.Then,stillwithherhandsballedintofists,sheranafterK.who,however,hadbeengivenalongstart.Hewasalreadyinsidethelawyer'sroombythetimeLenicaughtupwithhim.Hehadalmostclosedthedoorbehindhimself,butLeniheldthedooropenwithherfoot,grabbedhisarmandtriedtopullhimback.Butheputsuchpressureonherwristthat,withasigh,shewasforcedtoreleasehim.Shedidnotdaregointotheroomstraightaway,andK.lockedthedoorwiththekey.



"I'vebeenwaitingforyouaverylongtime,"saidthelawyerfromhisbed.Hehadbeenreadingsomethingbythelightofacandlebutnowhelaiditontothebedsidetableandputhisglasseson,lookingatK.sharplythroughthem.InsteadofapologisingK.said,"I'llbeleavingagainsoon."AshehadnotapologisedthelawyerignoredwhatK.said,andreplied,"Iwon'tletyouinthislateagainnexttime.""Ifindthatquiteacceptable,"saidK.Thelawyerlookedathimquizzically."Sitdown,"hesaid."Asyouwish,"saidK.,drawingachairuptothebedsidetableandsittingdown."Itseemedtomethatyoulockedthedoor,"saidthelawyer."Yes,"saidK.,"itwasbecauseofLeni."Hehadnointentionoflettinganyoneofflightly.Butthelawyeraskedhim,"Wasshebeingimportunateagain?""Importunate?"askedK."Yes,"saidthelawyer,laughingashedidso,hadafitofcoughingandthen,onceithadpassed,begantolaughagain."I'msureyoumusthavenoticedhowimportunateshecanbesometimes,"hesaid,andpattedK.'shandwhichK.hadrestedonthebedsidetableandwhichhenowsnatchedback."Youdon'tattachmuchimportancetoit,then,"saidthelawyerwhenK.wassilent,"somuchthebetter.OtherwiseImighthaveneededtoapologisetoyou.ItisapeculiarityofLeni's.I'velongsinceforgivenherforit,andIwouldn'tbetalkingofitnow,ifyouhadn'tlockedthedoorjustnow.Anyway,perhapsIshouldatleastexplainthispeculiarityofherstoyou,butyouseemratherdisturbed,thewayyou'relookingatme,andsothat'swhyI'lldoit,thispeculiarityofhersconsistsinthis;Lenifindsmostoftheaccusedattractive.Sheattachesherselftoeachofthem,loveseachofthem,evenseemstobelovedbyeachofthem;thenshesometimesentertainsmebytellingmeaboutthemwh

enIallowherto.Iamnotsoastonishedbyallofthisasyouseemtobe.Ifyoulookatthemintherightwaytheaccusedreallycanbeattractive,quiteoften.Butthatisaremarkableandtosomeextentscientificphenomenon.Beingindicteddoesnotcauseanyclear,preciselydefinablechangeinaperson'sappearance,ofcourse.Butit'snotlikewithotherlegalmatters,mostofthemremainintheirusualwayoflifeand,iftheyhaveagoodlawyerlookingafterthem,thetrialdoesn'tgetintheirway.Buttherearenonethelessthosewhohaveexperienceinthesematterswhocanlookatacrowd,howeverbig,andtellyouwhichamongthemisfacingacharge.Howcantheydothat,youwillask.Myanswerwillnotpleaseyou.Itissimplythatthosewhoarefacingachargearethemostattractive.Itcannotbetheirguiltthatmakesthemattractiveasnotallofthemareguilty-atleastthat'swhatI,asalawyer,havetosay-andnorcanitbetheproperpunishmentthathasmadethemattractiveasnotallofthemare

punished,soitcanonlybethattheproceedingslevelledagainstthemtakesomekindofholdonthem.Whateverthereason,someoftheseattractivepeopleareindeedveryattractive.Butallofthemareattractive,evenBlock,pitifulwormthatheis."Asthelawyerfinishedwhathewassaying,K.wasfullyincontrolofhimself,hehadevennoddedconspicuouslyathislastfewwordsinordertoconfirmtohimselftheviewhehadalreadyformed;thatthelawyerwastryingtoconfusehim,ashealwaysdid,bymakinggeneralandirrelevantobservations,andthusdistracthimfromthemainquestionofwhathewasactuallydoingforK.'strial.ThelawyermusthavenoticedthatK.wasofferinghimmoreresistancethanbefore,ashebecamesilent,givingK.thechancetospeakhimself,andthen,asK.alsoremainedsilent,heasked,"Didyouhaveaparticularreasonforcomingtoseemetoday?""Yes,"saidK.,puttinghishanduptoslightlyshadehiseyesfromthelightofthecandlesothathecouldseethelawyerbetter,"Iw

antedtotellyouthatI'mwithdrawingmyrepresentationfromyou,withimmediateeffect.""DoIunderstandyourightly?"askedthelawyerashehalfraisedhimselfinhisbedandsupportedhimselfwithonehandonthepillow."Ithinkyoudo,"saidK.,sittingstifflyuprightasifwaitinginambush."Wellwecancertainlydiscussthisplanofyours,"saidthelawyerafterapause."It'snotaplananymore,"saidK."Thatmaybe,"saidthelawyer,"butwestillmustn'trushanything."Heusedtheword'we',asifhehadnointentionoflettingK.gofree,andasif,evenifhecouldnolongerrepresenthim,hecouldstillatleastcontinueashisadviser."Nothingisbeingrushed,"saidK.,standingslowlyupandgoingbehindhischair,"everythinghasbeenwellthoughtoutandprobably



evenfortoolong.Thedecisionisfinal.""Thenallowmetosayafewwords,"saidthelawyer,throwingthebedcovertoonesideandsittingontheedgeofthebed.Hisnaked,white-hairedlegsshiveredinthecold.HeaskedK.topasshimablanketfromthecouch.K.passedhimtheblanketandsaid,"Youarerunningtheriskofcatchingcoldfornoreason.""Thecircumstancesareimportantenough,"saidthelawyerashewrappedthebedcoveraroundthetophalfofhisbodyandthentheblanketaroundhislegs."YouruncleismyfriendandinthecourseoftimeI'vebecomefondofyouaswell.Iadmitthatquiteopenly.There'snothinginthatformetobeashamedof."ItwasveryunwelcomeforK.toheartheoldmanspeakinthistouchingway,asitforcedhimtoexplainhimselfmorefully,whichhewouldratherhaveavoided,andhewasawarethatitalsoconfusedhimeventhoughitcouldnevermakehimreversehisdecision."Thankyouforfeelingsofriendlytowardme,"hesaid,"andIalsorealisehowdeeplyinvolvedyou'vebeeninmycase,asdeeplyaspossibleforyourselfandtobringasmuchadvantageaspossibletome.Nonetheless,Ihaverecentlycometotheconvictionthatitisnotenough.Iwouldnaturallyneverattempt,consideringthatyouaresomucholderandmoreexperiencedthanIam,toconvinceyouofmyopinion;ifIhaveeverunintentionallydonesothenIbegyourforgiveness,but,asyouhavejustsaidyourself,thecircumstancesareimportantenoughanditismybeliefthatmytrialneedstobeapproachedwithmuchmorevigourthanhassofarbeenthecase.""Isee,"saidthelawyer,"you'vebecomeimpatient.""Iamnotimpatient,"saidK.,withsomeirritationandhestoppedpayingsomuchattentiontohischoiceofwords."WhenIfirstcameherewithmyuncleyouprobablynoticedIwasn'tgreatlyconcernedaboutmycase,andifIwasn'tremindedofitbyfor

ce,asitwere,Iwouldforgetaboutitcompletely.ButmyuncleinsistedIshouldallowyoutorepresentmeandIdidsoasafavourtohim.Icouldhaveexpectedthecasetobelessofaburdenthanithadbeen,asthepointoftakingonalawyeristhatheshouldtakeonsomeofitsweight.Butwhatactuallyhappenedwastheopposite.Before,thetrialwasneversuchaworryformeasithasbeensinceyou'vebeenrepresentingme.WhenIwasbymyselfIneverdidanythingaboutmycase,Iwashardlyawareofit,butthen,oncetherewassomeonerepresentingme,everythingwassetforsomethingtohappen,Iwasalways,withoutcease,waitingforyoutodosomething,gettingmoreandmoretense,butyoudidnothing.IdidgetsomeinformationaboutthecourtfromyouthatIprobablycouldnothavegotanywhereelse,butthatcan'tbeenoughwhenthetrial,supposedlyinsecret,isgettingcloserandclosertome."K.hadpushedthechairawayandstooderect,hishandsinthepocketsofhisfrockcoat."Afteracertainpoin

tintheproceedings,"saidthelawyerquietlyandcalmly,"nothingnewofanyimportanceeverhappens.Somanylitigants,atthesamestageintheirtrials,havestoodbeforemejustlikeyouarenowandspokeninthesameway.""Thentheseotherlitigants,"saidK.,"haveallbeenright,justasIam.ThatdoesnotshowthatI'mnot.""Iwasn'ttryingtoshowthatyouweremistaken,"saidthelawyer,"butIwantedtoaddthatIexpectedbetterjudgementfromyouthanfromtheothers,especiallyasI'vegivenyoumoreinsightintotheworkingsofthecourtandmyownactivitiesthanInormallydo.AndnowI'mforcedtoacceptthat,despiteeverything,youhavetoolittletrustinme.Youdon'tmakeiteasyforme."HowthelawyerwashumiliatinghimselftoK.!Hewasshowingnoregardforthedignityofhisposition,whichonthispoint,musthavebeenatitsmostsensitive.Andwhydidhedothat?Hedidseemtobeverybusyasalawyeraswellarichman,neitherthelossofincomenorthelossofaclientcouldhavebeen

ofmuchimportancetohiminthemselves.Hewasmoreoverunwellandshouldhavebeenthinkingofpassingworkontoothers.AnddespiteallthatheheldontightlytoK.Why?Wasitsomethingpersonalforhisuncle'ssake,ordidhereallyseeK.'scaseasonethatwasexceptionalandhopedtobeabletodistinguishhimselfwithit,eitherforK.'ssakeor-andthispossibilitycouldneverbeexcluded-forhisfriendsatthecourt?Itwasnotpossibletolearnanythingbylookingathim,eventhoughK.wasscrutinizinghimquitebrazenly.Itcouldalmostbesupposedhewasdeliberatelyhidinghisthoughtsashewaitedtoseewhateffecthiswordswouldhave.ButheclearlydeemedK.'ssilencetobefavourableforhimselfandhecontinued,"Youwillhavenoticedthesizeofmyoffice,bu



tthatIdon'temployanystafftohelpme.Thatusedtobequitedifferent,therewasatimewhenseveralyounglawyerswereworkingformebutnowIworkalone.ThisispartlytodowithchangesinthewayIdobusiness,inthatIconcentratenowadaysmoreandmoreonmatterssuchasyourowncase,andpartlytodowiththeeverdeeperunderstandingthatIacquirefromtheselegalmatters.IfoundthatIcouldneverletanyoneelsedealwiththissortofworkunlessIwantedtoharmboththeclientandthejobIhadtakenon.Butthedecisiontodoalltheworkmyselfhaditsobviousresult:IwasforcedtoturnalmosteveryoneawaywhoaskedmetorepresentthemandcouldonlyacceptthoseIwasespeciallyinterestedin-wellthereareenoughcreatureswholeapateverycrumbIthrowdown,andthey'renotsoveryfaraway.Mostimportantly,Ibecameillfromover-work.ButdespitethatIdon'tregretmydecision,quitepossiblyIshouldhaveturnedmorecasesawaythanIdid,butitdidturnouttobeentirelynecessaryformetodevotemyselffullytothecasesIdidtakeon,andthesuccessfulresultsshowedthatitwasworthit.Ioncereadadescriptionofthedifferencebetweenrepresentingsomeoneinordinarylegalmattersandinlegalmattersofthissort,andthewriterexpresseditverywell.Thisiswhathesaid:somelawyersleadtheirclientsonathreaduntiljudgementispassed,butthereareotherswhoimmediatelylifttheirclientsontotheirshouldersandcarrythemallthewaytothejudgementandbeyond.That'sjusthowitis.ButitwasquitetruewhenIsaidIneverregretallthiswork.Butif,asinyourcase,theyaresofullymisunderstood,well,thenIcomeveryclosetoregrettingit."AllthistalkingdidmoretomakeK.impatientthantopersuadehim.Fromthewaythelawyerwasspeaking,K.thoughthecouldhearwhathecouldexpectifhegavein,thede

laysandexcuseswouldbeginagain,reportsofhowthedocumentswereprogressing,howthemoodofthecourtofficialshadimproved,aswellasalltheenormousdifficulties-inshortallthathehadheardsomanytimesbeforewouldbebroughtoutagainevenmorefully,hewouldtrytomisleadK.withhopesthatwereneverspecifiedandtomakehimsufferwiththreatsthatwereneverclear.Hehadtoputastoptothat,sohesaid,"Whatwillyouundertakeonmybehalfifyoucontinuetorepresentme?"Thelawyerquietlyacceptedeventhisinsultingquestion,andanswered,"IshouldcontinuewithwhatI'vealreadybeendoingforyou.""That'sjustwhatIthought,"saidK.,"andnowyoudon'tneedtosayanotherword.""Iwillmakeonemoreattempt,"saidthelawyerasifwhateverhadbeenmakingK.soannoyedwasaffectinghimtoo."Yousee,IhavetheimpressionthatyouhavenotonlymisjudgedthelegalassistanceIhavegivenyoubutalsothatthatmisjudgementhasledyoutobehaveinthisway,youseem,althoughyouar

etheaccused,tohavebeentreatedtoowellor,toputitabetterway,handledwithneglect,withapparentneglect.Eventhathasitsreason;itisoftenbettertobeinchainsthantobefree.ButIwouldliketoshowyouhowotherdefendantsaretreated,perhapsyouwillsucceedinlearningsomethingfromit.WhatIwilldoisIwillcallBlockin,unlockthedoorandsitdownherebesidethebedsidetable.""Begladto,"saidK.,anddidasthelawyersuggested;hewasalwaysreadytolearnsomethingnew.Buttomakesureofhimselfforanyeventheadded,"butyoudorealisethatyouarenolongertobemylawyer,don'tyou?""Yes,"saidthelawyer."Butyoucanstillchangeyourmindtodayifyouwantto."Helaybackdowninthebed,pulledthequiltuptohischinandturnedtofacethewall.Thenherang.

Leniappearedalmostthemomenthehaddoneso.ShelookedhurriedlyatK.andt

helawyertotryandfindoutwhathadhappened;sheseemedtobereassuredbythesightofK.sittingcalmlyatthelawyer'sbed.ShesmiledandnoddedtoK.,K.lookedblanklybackather."FetchBlock,"saidthelawyer.Butinsteadofgoingtofetchhim,Lenijustwenttothedoorandcalledout,"Block!Tothelawyer!"Then,probablybecausethelawyerhadturnedhisfacetothewallandwaspayingnoattention,sheslippedinbehindK.'schair.Fromthenon,shebotheredhimbyleaningforwardoverthebackofthechairor,albeitverytenderlyandcarefully,shewouldrunherhandsthroughhishairandoverhischeeks.K.eventuallytriedtostopherbytakingholdofonehand,andaftersomeresistanceLenilethimkeepholdofit.Blockcameassoonashewascalled,butheremaine



dstandinginthedoorwayandseemedtobewonderingwhetherheshouldenterornot.Heraisedhiseyebrowsandloweredhisheadasiflisteningtofindoutwhethertheordertoattendthelawyerwouldberepeated.K.couldhaveencouragedtoenter,buthehaddecidedtomakeafinalbreaknotonlywiththelawyerbutwitheverythinginhishome,sohekepthimselfmotionless.Leniwasalsosilent.Blocknoticedthatatleastno-onewaschasinghimaway,and,ontiptoe,heenteredtheroom,hisfacewastense,hishandswereclenchedbehindhisback.Heleftthedooropenincaseheneededtogobackagain.K.didnotevenglanceathim,helookedinsteadonlyatthethickquiltunderwhichthelawyercouldnotbeseenashehadsqueezedupveryclosetothewall.Thenhisvoicewasheard:"Blockhere?"heasked.Blockhadalreadycreptsomewayintotheroombutthisquestionseemedtogivehimfirstashoveinthebreastandthenanotherintheback,heseemedabouttofallbutremainedstanding,deeplybowed,andsaid,"Atyourservice,sir.""Whatdoyouwant?"askedthelawyer,"you'vecomeatabadtime.""Wasn'tIsummoned?"askedBlock,moretohimselfthanthelawyer.Heheldhishandsinfrontofhimselfasprotectionandwouldhavebeenreadytorunawayanymoment."Youweresummoned,"saidthelawyer,"butyouhavestillcomeatabadtime."Then,afterapauseheadded,"Youalwayscomeatabadtime."WhenthelawyerstartedspeakingBlockhadstoppedlookingatthebedbutstaredratherintooneofthecorners,justlistening,asifthelightfromthespeakerwerebrighterthanBlockcouldbeartolookat.Butitwasalsodifficultforhimtolisten,asthelawyerwasspeakingintothewallandspeakingquicklyandquietly."Wouldyoulikemetogoawayagain,sir?"askedBlock."Wellyou'reherenow,"saidthelawyer."Stay!"ItwasasifthelawyerhadnotdoneasBlock

hadwantedbutinsteadthreatenedhimwithastick,asnowBlockreallybegantoshake."Iwenttosee,"saidthelawyer,"thethirdjudgeyesterday,afriendofmine,andslowlybroughttheconversationroundtothesubjectofyou.Doyouwanttoknowwhathesaid?""Oh,yesplease,"saidBlock.Thelawyerdidnotanswerimmediately,soBlockrepeatedhisrequestandloweredhisheadasifabouttokneeldown.ButthenK.spoketohim:"Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"heshouted.Lenihadwantedtostophimfromcallingoutandsohetookholdofherotherhand.Itwasnotlovethatmadehimsqueezeitandholdontoitsotightly,shesighedfrequentlyandtriedtodisengageherhandsfromhim.ButBlockwaspunishedforK.'soutburst,asthelawyeraskedhim,"Whoisyourlawyer?""Youare,sir,"saidBlock."Andwhobesidesme?"thelawyerasked."No-onebesidesyou,sir,"saidBlock."Andlettherebeno-onebesidesme,"saidthelawyer.Blockfullyunderstoodwhatthatmeant,hegloweredatK.,shakinghisheadviole

ntly.Iftheseactionshadbeentranslatedintowordstheywouldhavebeencoarseinsults.K.hadbeenfriendlyandwillingtodiscusshisowncasewithsomeonelikethis!"Iwon'tdisturbyouanymore,"saidK.,leaningbackinhischair."Youcankneeldownorcreeponallfours,whateveryoulike.Iwon'tbotherwithyouanymore."ButBlockstillhadsomesenseofpride,atleastwhereK.wasconcerned,andhewenttowardshimwavinghisfists,shoutingasloudlyashedaredwhilethelawyerwasthere."Youshouldn'tspeaktomelikethat,that'snotallowed.Whyareyouinsultingme?Especiallyhereinfrontofthelawyer,wherebothofus,youandme,we'reonlytoleratedbecauseofhischarity.You'renotabetterpersonthanme,you'vebeenaccusedofsomethingtoo,you'refacingachargetoo.If,inspiteofthat,you'restillagentlemanthenI'mjustasmuchagentlemanasyouare,ifnotevenmoreso.AndIwanttobespokentoasagentleman,especiallybyyou.Ifyouthinkbeingallowedtositthereandquietly

listenwhileIcreeponallfoursasyouputitmakesyousomethingbetterthanme,thenthere'sanoldlegalsayingyououghttobearinmind:Ifyou'reundersuspicionit'sbettertobemovingthanstill,asifyou'restillyoucanbeinthepanofthescaleswithoutknowingitandbeweighedalongwithyoursins."K.saidnothing.Hemerelylookedinamazementatthisdistractedbeing,hiseyescompletelystill.Hehadgonethroughsuchchangesinjustthelastfewhours!Wasitthetrialthatwasthrowinghimfromsidetosideinthiswayandstoppedhimknowingwhowasfriendandwhowasfoe?CouldhenotseethelawyerwasdeliberatelyhumiliatinghimandhadnootherpurposetodaythantoshowoffhispowertoK.,andperhapseventherebysubjugateK.?ButifBlockwasincapableof



seeingthat,orifhesofearedthelawyerthatnosuchinsightwouldevenbeofanyusetohim,howwasitthathewaseithersoslyorsoboldastolietothelawyerandconcealfromhimthefactthathehadotherlawyersworkingonhisbehalf?AndhowdidhedaretoattackK.,whocouldbetrayhissecretanytimeheliked?Buthedaredevenmorethanthis,hewenttothelawyer'sbedandbegantheretomakecomplaintsaboutK."Dr.Huld,sir,"hesaid,"didyouhearthewaythismanspoketome?Youcancountthelengthofhistrialinhours,andhewantstotellmewhattodowhenI'vebeeninvolvedinalegalcaseforfiveyears.Heeveninsultsme.Hedoesn'tknowanything,butheinsultsme,whenI,asfarasmyweakabilityallows,whenI'vemadeaclosestudyofhowtobehavewiththecourt,whatweoughttodoandwhatthecourtpracticesare.""Don'tletanyonebotheryou,"saidthelawyer,"anddowhatseemstoyoutoberight.""Iwill,"saidBlock,asifspeakingtohimselftogivehimselfcourage,andwithaquickglancetothesidehekneeleddownclosebesidethebed."I'mkneelingnowDr.Huld,sir,"hesaid.Butthelawyerremainedsilent.Withonehand,Blockcarefullystrokedthebedcover.Inthesilencewhilehedidso,Leni,asshefreedherselffromK.'shands,said,"You'rehurtingme.Letgoofme.I'mgoingovertoBlock."Shewentovertohimandsatontheedgeofthebed.Blockwasverypleasedatthisandwithlively,butsilent,gesturesheimmediatelyurgedhertointercedeforhimwiththelawyer.Itwasclearthathedesperatelyneededtobetoldsomethingbythelawyer,althoughperhapsonlysothathecouldmakeuseoftheinformationwithhisotherlawyers.Leniprobablyknewverywellhowthelawyercouldbebroughtround,pointedtohishandandpursedherlipsasifmakingakiss.Blockimmediatelyperformedthehand-kissand,atfurtherurging

fromLeni,repeatedittwicemore.Butthelawyercontinuedtobesilent.ThenLenileantoverthelawyer,asshestretchedout,theattractiveshapeofherbodycouldbeseen,and,bentoverclosetohisface,shestrokedhislongwhitehair.Thatnowforcedhimtogiveananswer."I'mratherwaryoftellinghim,"saidthelawyer,andhisheadcouldbeseenshakingslightly,perhapssothathewouldfeelthepressureofLeni'shandbetter.Blocklistenedcloselywithhisheadlowered,asifbylisteninghewerebreakinganorder."Whatmakesyousowaryaboutit?"askedLeni.K.hadthefeelinghewaslisteningtoacontriveddialoguethathadbeenrepeatedmanytimes,thatwouldberepeatedmanytimesmore,andthatforBlockaloneitwouldneverloseitsfreshness."Whathashisbehaviourbeenliketoday?"askedthelawyerinsteadofananswer.BeforeLenisaidanythingshelookeddownatBlockandwatchedhimashortwhileasheraisedhishandstowardsherandrubbedthemtogetherimploringly.Finallyshegaveaseriou

snod,turnedbacktothelawyerandsaid,"He'sbeenquietandindustrious."Thiswasanelderlybusinessman,amanwhosebeardwaslong,andhewasbeggingayounggirltospeakonhisbehalf.Eveniftherewassomeplanbehindwhathedid,therewasnothingthatcouldreinstatehimintheeyesofhisfellowman.K.couldnotunderstandhowthelawyercouldhavethoughtthisperformancewouldwinhimover.Evenifhehaddonenothingearliertomakehimwanttoleavethenthisscenewouldhavedoneso.Itwasalmosthumiliatingevenfortheonlooker.Sothesewerethelawyer'smethods,whichK.fortunatelyhadnotbeenexposedtoforlong,tolettheclientforgetaboutthewholeworldandleavehimwithnothingbutthehopeofreachingtheendofhistrialbythisdeludedmeans.Hewasnolongeraclient,hewasthelawyer'sdog.Ifthelawyerhadorderedhimtocrawlunderthebedasifitwereakennelandtobarkoutfromunderit,thenhewouldhavedonesowithenthusiasm.K.listenedtoallofthis,testingitandt

hinkingitoverasifhehadbeengiventhetaskofcloselyobservingeverythingspokenhere,informahigherofficeaboutitandwriteareport."Andwhathashebeendoingallday?"askedthelawyer."Ikepthimlockedinthemaid'sroomallday,"saidLeni,"sothathewouldn'tstopmedoingmywork.That'swhereheusuallystays.FromtimetotimeIlookedinthroughthespyholetoseewhathewasdoing,andeachtimehewaskneelingonthebedandreadingthepapersyougavehim,proppeduponthewindowsill.Thatmadeagoodimpressiononme;asthewindowonlyopensontoanairshaftandgiveshardlyanylight.Itshowedhowobedientheisthathewasevenreadinginthoseconditions.""I'mpleasedtohearit,"saidthelawyer."Butdidheunderstandwhathewasreading?"Whilethi



sconversationwasgoingon,BlockcontinuallymovedhislipsandwasclearlyformulatingtheanswershehopedLeniwouldgive."WellIcan'tgiveyouanycertainanswertothatofcourse,"saidLeni,"butIcouldseethathewasreadingthoroughly.Hespentalldayreadingthesamepage,runninghisfingeralongthelines.WheneverIlookedinonhimhesighedasifthisreadingwasalotofworkforhim.Iexpectthepapersyougavehimwereveryhardtounderstand.""Yes,"saidthelawyer,"theycertainlyarethat.AndIreallydon'tthinkheunderstoodanythingofthem.Buttheyshouldatleastgivehimsomeinklingofjusthowhardastruggleitisandhowmuchworkitisformetodefendhim.AndwhoamIdoingallthishardworkfor?I'mdoingit-it'slaughableeventosayit-I'mdoingitforBlock.Heoughttorealisewhatthatmeans,too.Didhestudywithoutapause?""Almostwithoutapause,"answeredLeni."Justtheonceheaskedmeforadrinkofwater,soIgavehimaglassfulthroughthewindow.Thenateighto'clockIlethimoutandgavehimsomethingtoeat."BlockglancedsidewaysatK.,asifhewerebeingpraisedandhadtoimpressK.aswell.Henowseemedmoreoptimistic,hemovedmorefreelyandrockedbackandforthonhisknees.Thismadehisastonishmentallthemoreobviouswhenheheardthefollowingwordsfromthelawyer:"Youspeakwellofhim,"saidthelawyer,"butthat'sjustwhatmakesitdifficultforme.Yousee,thejudgedidnotspeakwellofhimatall,neitheraboutBlocknorabouthiscase.""Didn'tspeakwellofhim?"askedLeni."Howisthatpossible?"Blocklookedatherwithsuchtensionheseemedtothinkthatalthoughthejudge'swordshadbeenspokensolongbeforeshewouldbeabletochangetheminhisfavour."Notatall,"saidthelawyer."InfacthebecamequitecrosswhenIstartedtotalkaboutBlocktohim.'Don'ttalktomeab

outBlock,'hesaid.'Heismyclient,'saidI.'You'relettinghimabuseyou,'hesaid.'Idon'tthinkhiscaseislostyet,'saidI.'You'relettinghimabuseyou,'herepeated.'Idon'tthinkso,'saidI.'Blockworkshardinhiscaseandalwaysknowswhereitstands.Hepracticallyliveswithmesothathealwaysknowswhat'shappening.Youdon'talwaysfindsuchenthusiasmasthat.He'snotverypleasantpersonally,Igrantyou,hismannersareterribleandhe'sdirty,butasfarasthetrial'sconcernedhe'squiteimmaculate.'Isaidimmaculate,butIwasdeliberatelyexaggerating.Thenhesaid,'Blockissly,that'sall.He'saccumulatedplentyofexperienceandknowshowtodelayproceedings.Butthere'smorethathedoesn'tknowthanhedoes.Whatdoyouthinkhe'dsayifhelearnedhistrialstillhasn'tbegun,ifyoutoldhimtheyhaven'tevenrungthebelltoannouncethestartofproceedings?'AlrightBlock,alright,"saidthelawyer,asatthesewordsBlockhadbeguntoraisehimselfonhistremblingkneesand

clearlywantedtopleadforsomeexplanation.ItwasthefirsttimethelawyerhadspokenanyclearwordsdirectlytoBlock.Helookeddownwithhistiredeyes,halfblanklyandhalfatBlock,whoslowlysankbackdownonhiskneesunderthisgaze."Whatthejudgesaidhasnomeaningforyou,"saidthelawyer."Youneedn'tbefrightenedateveryword.IfyoudoitagainIwon'ttellyouanythingelseatall.It'simpossibletostartasentencewithoutyoulookingatmeasifyouwerereceivingyourfinaljudgement.Youshouldbeashamedofyourselfhereinfrontofmyclient!Andyou'redestroyingthetrusthehasforme.Justwhatisityouwant?You'restillalive,you'restillundermyprotection.There'snopointinworrying!Somewhereyou'vereadthatthefinaljudgementcanoftencomewithoutwarning,fromanyoneatanytime.And,intherightcircumstances,that'sbasicallytrue,butit'salsotruethatIdislikeyouranxietyandfearandseethatyoudon'thavethetrustinmeyoushouldhave.NowwhathaveIjustsa

id?Irepeatedsomethingsaidbyoneofthejudges.Youknowthattherearesomanyvariousopinionsabouttheprocedurethattheyformintoagreatbigpileandnobodycanmakeanysenseofthem.Thisjudge,forinstance,seesproceedingsasstartingatadifferentpointfromwhereIdo.Adifferenceofopinion,nothingmore.Atacertainstageintheproceedingstraditionhasitthatasignisgivenbyringingabell.Thisjudgeseesthatasthepointatwhichproceedingsbegin.Ican'tsetoutalltheopinionsopposedtothatviewhere,andyouwouldn'tunderstanditanyway,sufficeittosaythattherearemanyreasonstodisagreewithhim."Embarrassed,Blockranhisfingersthroughthepileofthecarpet,hisanxietyaboutwhatthejudgehadsaidhadlethimforgethisinferiorstatu



stowardsthelawyerforawhile,hethoughtonlyabouthimselfandturnedthejudgeswordsroundtoexaminethemfromallsides."Block,"saidLeni,asifreprimandinghim,and,takingholdofthecollarofhiscoat,pulledhimupslightlyhigher."Leavethecarpetaloneandlistentowhatthelawyerissaying."

Thischapterwasleftunfinished.ChapterNineIntheCathedral

AveryimportantItalianbusinesscontactofthebankhadcometovisitthecityforthefirsttimeandK.wasgiventhetaskofshowinghimsomeofitsculturalsights.Atanyothertimehewouldhaveseenthisjobasanhonourbutnow,whenhewasfindingithardeventomaintainhiscurrentpositioninthebank,heaccepteditonlywithreluctance.Everyhourthathecouldnotbeintheofficewasacauseofconcernforhim,hewasnolongerabletomakeuseofhistimeintheofficeanythinglikeaswellashehadpreviously,hespentmanyhoursmerelypretendingtodoimportantwork,butthatonlyincreasedhisanxietyaboutnotbeingintheoffice.Thenhesometimesthoughthesawthedeputydirector,whowasalwayswatching,comeintoK.'soffice,sitathisdesk,lookthroughhispapers,receiveclientswhohadalmostbecomeoldfriendsofK.,andlurethemawayfromhim,perhapsheevendiscoveredmistakes,mistakesthatseemedtothreatenK.fromathousanddirectionswhenhewasatworknow,andwhichhecouldnolongeravoid.Sonow,ifhewaseveraskedtoleavetheofficeonbusinessorevenneededtomakeashortbusinesstrip,howevermuchanhonouritseemed-andtasksofthissorthappenedtohaveincreasedsubstantiallyrecently-therewas

alwaysthesuspicionthattheywantedtogethimoutofhisofficeforawhileandcheckhiswork,oratleasttheideathattheythoughthewasdispensable.Itwouldnothavebeendifficultforhimtoturndownmostofthesejobs,buthedidnotdaretodosobecause,ifhisfearshadtheslightestfoundation,turningthejobsdownwouldhavebeenanacknowledgementofthem.Forthisreason,heneverdemurredfromacceptingthem,andevenwhenhewasaskedtogoonatiringbusinesstriplastingtwodayshesaidnothingabouthavingtogooutintherainyautumnweatherwhenhehadaseverechill,justinordertoavoidtheriskofnotbeingaskedtogo.When,witharagingheadache,hearrivedbackfromthistriphelearnedthathehadbeenchosentoaccompanytheItalianbusinesscontactthefollowingday.Thetemptationforoncetoturnthejobdownwasverygreat,especiallyasithadnodirectconnectionwithbusiness,buttherewasnodenyingthatsocialobligationstowardsthisbusinesscontactwereinthemselvesim

portantenough,onlynotforK.,whoknewquitewellthatheneededsomesuccessesatworkifhewastomaintainhispositionthereandthat,ifhefailedinthat,itwouldnothelphimevenifthisItaliansomehowfoundhimquitecharming;hedidnotwanttoberemovedfromhisworkplaceforevenoneday,asthefearofnotbeingallowedbackinwastoogreat,heknewfullwellthatthefearwasexaggeratedbutitstillmadehimanxious.However,inthiscaseitwasalmostimpossibletothinkofanacceptableexcuse,hisknowledgeofItalianwasnotgreatbutstillgoodenough;thedecidingfactorwasthatK.hadearlierknownalittleaboutarthistoryandthishadbecomewidelyknownaroundthebankinextremelyexaggeratedform,andthatK.hadbeenamemberoftheSocietyforthePreservationofCityMonuments,albeitonlyforbusinessreasons.ItwassaidthatthisItalianwasanartlover,sothechoiceofK.toaccompanyhimwasamatterofcourse.

ItwasaveryrainyandstormymorningwhenK.,inafoultemperatthethoughtofthedayaheadofhim,arrivedearlyatseveno'clockintheofficesothathecouldatleastdosomeworkbeforehisvisitorwouldpreventhim.HehadspenthalfthenightstudyingabookofItaliangrammarsothathewouldbesomewhatpreparedandwasverytired;hisdeskwaslessattractivetohimthanthewindowwherehehadspentfartoomuchtimesittingoflate,butheresistedthetemptationandsatdowntohiswork.Unfortunately,justthentheservitorcameinandreportedthatthedirectorhadsenthimtoseewhetherthechiefclerkwasalreadyinhisoffice;ifhewas,thenwouldhepleasebesokindastocometohis



receptionroomasthegentlemanfromItalywasalreadythere."I'llcomestraightaway,"saidK.Heputasmalldictionaryinhispocket,tookaguidetothecity'stouristsitesunderhisarmthathehadcompiledforstrangers,andwentthroughthedeputydirector'sofficeintothatofthedirector.Hewasgladhehadcomeintotheofficesoearlyandwasabletobeofserviceimmediately,nobodycouldseriouslyhaveexpectedthatofhim.Thedeputydirector'sofficewas,ofcourse,stillasemptyasthemiddleofthenight,theservitorhadprobablybeenaskedtosummonhimtoobutwithoutsuccess.AsK.enteredthereceptionroomtwomenstoodupfromthedeeparmchairswheretheyhadbeensitting.Thedirectorgavehimafriendlysmile,hewasclearlyverygladthatK.wasthere,heimmediatelyintroducedhimtotheItalianwhoshookK.'shandvigorouslyandjokedthatsomebodywasanearlyriser.K.didnotquiteunderstandwhomhehadinmind,itwasmoreoveranoddexpressiontouseandittookK.alittlewhiletoguessitsmeaning.HerepliedwithafewblandphraseswhichtheItalianreceivedoncemorewithalaugh,passinghishandnervouslyandrepeatedlyoverhisblue-grey,bushymoustache.Thismoustachewasobviouslyperfumed,itwasalmosttemptingtocomeclosetoitandsniff.Whentheyhadallsatdownandbegunalightpreliminaryconversation,K.wasdisconcertedtonoticethatheunderstoodnomorethanfragmentsofwhattheItaliansaid.Whenhespokeverycalmlyheunderstoodalmosteverything,butthatwasveryinfrequent,mostlythewordsgushedfromhismouthandheseemedtobeenjoyinghimselfsomuchhisheadshook.WhenhewastalkinginthiswayhisspeechwasusuallywrappedupinsomekindofdialectwhichseemedtoK.tohavenothingtodowithItalianbutwhichthedirectornotonlyunderstoodbutalsospoke,althoughK.oughttohaveforeseenthisas

theItaliancamefromthesouthofhiscountrywherethedirectorhadalsospentseveralyears.Whateverthecause,K.realisedthatthepossibilityofcommunicatingwiththeItalianhadbeenlargelytakenfromhim,evenhisFrenchwasdifficulttounderstand,andhismoustacheconcealedthemovementsofhislipswhichmighthaveofferedsomehelpinunderstandingwhathesaid.K.begantoanticipatemanydifficulties,hegaveuptryingtounderstandwhattheItaliansaid-withthedirectorthere,whocouldunderstandhimsoeasily,itwouldhavebeenpointlesseffort-andforthetimebeingdidnomorethanscowlattheItalianasherelaxedsittingdeepbutcomfortableinthearmchair,ashefrequentlypulledathisshort,sharplytailoredjacketandatonetimeliftedhisarmsintheairandmovedhishandsfreelytotryanddepictsomethingthatK.couldnotgrasp,eventhoughhewasleaningforwardanddidnotletthehandsoutofhissight.K.hadnothingtooccupyhimselfbutmechanicallywatchtheexchangebetween

thetwomenandhistirednessfinallymadeitselffelt,tohisalarm,althoughfortunatelyingoodtime,heoncecaughthimselfnearlygettingup,turningroundandleaving.EventuallytheItalianlookedattheclockandjumpedup.AftertakinghisleavefromthedirectorheturnedtoK.,pressinghimselfsoclosetohimthatK.hadtopushhischairbackjustsothathecouldmove.Thedirectorhad,nodoubt,seentheanxietyinK.'seyesashetriedtocopewiththisdialectofItalian,hejoinedinwiththisconversationinawaythatwassoadroitandunobtrusivethatheseemedtobeaddingnomorethanminorcomments,whereasinfacthewasswiftlyandpatientlybreakingintowhattheItaliansaidsothatK.couldunderstand.K.learnedinthiswaythattheItalianfirsthadafewbusinessmatterstosettle,thatheunfortunatelyhadonlyalittletimeathisdisposal,thathecertainlydidnotintendtorushroundtoseeeverymonumentinthecity,thathewouldmuchrather-atleastaslongasK.wouldagree,itwas

entirelyhisdecision-justseethecathedralandtodosothoroughly.Hewasextremelypleasedtobeaccompaniedbysomeonewhowassolearnedandsopleasant-bythishemeantK.,whowasoccupiednotwithlisteningtotheItalianbutthedirector-andaskedifhewouldbesokind,ifthetimewassuitable,tomeethiminthecathedralintwohours'timeataboutteno'clock.Hehopedhewouldcertainlybeabletobethereatthattime.K.madeanappropriatereply,theItalianshookfirstthedirector'shandandthenK.'s,thenthedirector'sagainandwenttothedoor,halfturnedtothetwomenwhofollowedhimandcontinuingtotalkwithoutabreak.K.remainedtogetherwiththedirectorforashortwhile,althoughthedirectorlookedespeciallyunhappytoday.Hethoughtheneeded



toapologisetoK.forsomethingandtoldhim-theywerestandingintimatelyclosetogether-hehadthoughtatfirsthewouldaccompanytheItalianhimself,butthen-hegavenomoreprecisereasonthanthis-thenhedecideditwouldbebettertosendK.withhim.HeshouldnotbesurprisedifhecouldnotunderstandtheItalianatfirst,hewouldbeabletoverysoon,andevenifhereallycouldnotunderstandverymuchhesaiditwasnotsobad,asitwasreallynotsoimportantfortheItaliantobeunderstood.Andanyway,K.'sknowledgeofItalianwassurprisinglygood,thedirectorwassurehewouldgetbyverywell.Andwiththat,itwastimeforK.togo.Hespentthetimestillremainingtohimwithadictionary,copyingoutobscurewordshewouldneedtoguidetheItalianroundthecathedral.Itwasanextremelyirksometask,servitorsbroughthimthemail,bankstaffcamewithvariousqueriesand,whentheysawthatK.wasbusy,stoodbythedooranddidnotgoawayuntilhehadlistenedtothem,thedeputydirectordidnotmisstheopportunitytodisturbK.andcameinfrequently,tookthedictionaryfromhishandandflickedthroughitspages,clearlyfornopurpose,whenthedoortotheante-roomopenedevenclientswouldappearfromthehalfdarknessandbowtimidlytohim-theywantedtoattracthisattentionbutwerenotsurewhetherhehadseenthem-allthisactivitywascirclingaroundK.withhimatitscentrewhilehecompiledthelistofwordshewouldneed,thenlookedthemupinthedictionary,thenwrotethemout,thenpractisedtheirpronunciationandfinallytriedtolearnthembyheart.Thegoodintentionshehadhadearlier,though,seemedtohavelefthimcompletely,itwastheItalianwhohadcausedhimallthiseffortandsometimeshebecamesoangrywithhimthatheburiedthedictionaryundersomepapersfirmlyintendingtodonomorepreparation,

butthenherealisedhecouldnotwalkupanddowninthecathedralwiththeItalianwithoutsayingaword,so,inanevengreaterrage,hepulledthedictionarybackoutagain.

Atexactlyhalfpastnine,justwhenhewasabouttoleave,therewasatelephonecallforhim,Leniwishedhimgoodmorningandaskedhowhewas,K.thankedherhurriedlyandtoldheritwasimpossibleforhimtotalknowashehadtogotothecathedral."Tothecathedral?"askedLeni."Yes,tothecathedral.""Whatdoyouhavetogotothecathedralfor?"saidLeni.K.triedtoexplainittoherbriefly,buthehadhardlybegunwhenLenisuddenlysaid,"They'reharassingyou."OnethingthatK.couldnotbearwaspitythathehadnotwantedorexpected,hetookhisleaveofherwithtwowords,butasheputthereceiverbackinitsplacehesaid,halftohimselfandhalftothegirlontheotherendofthel

inewhocouldnolongerhearhim,"Yes,they'reharassingme."

Bynowthetimewaslateandtherewasalmostadangerhewouldnotbeontime.Hetookataxitothecathedral,atthelastmomenthehadrememberedthealbumthathehadhadnoopportunitytogivetotheItalianearlierandsotookitwithhimnow.Hehelditonhiskneesanddrummedimpatientlyonitduringthewholejourney.Therainhadeasedoffslightlybutitwasstilldampchillyanddark,itwouldbedifficulttoseeanythinginthecathedralbutstandingaboutoncoldflagstonesmightwellmakeK.'schillmuchworse.Thesquareinfrontofthecathedralwasquiteempty,K.rememberedhowevenasasmallchildhehadnoticedthatnearlyallthehousesinthisnarrowsquarehadthecurtainsattheirwindowsclosedmostofthetime,althoughtoday,withtheweatherlikethis,itwasmoreunderstandable.Thecathedralalsoseemedquiteempty,ofcourseno-onew

ouldthinkofgoingthereonadaylikethis.K.hurriedalongboththesidenavesbutsawno-onebutanoldwomanwho,wrappedupinawarmshawl,waskneelingatapictureoftheVirginMaryandstaringupatit.Then,inthedistance,hesawachurchofficialwholimpedawaythroughadoorwayinthewall.K.hadarrivedontime,ithadstrucktenjustashewasenteringthebuilding,buttheItalianstillwasnotthere.K.wentbacktothemainentrance,stoodthereindecisivelyforawhile,andthenwalkedroundthecathedralintherainincasetheItalianwaswaitingatanotherentrance.Hewasnowheretobefound.Couldthedirectorhavemisunderstoodwhattimetheyhadagreedon?Howcouldanyoneunderstandsomeonelikethatproperlyanyway?Whateverhadhappened,K.wouldhaveto



waitforhimforatleasthalfanhour.Ashewastiredhewantedtositdown,hewentbackinsidethecathedral,hefoundsomethinglikeasmallcarpetononeofthesteps,hemoveditwithhisfoottoanearbypew,wrappedhimselfuptighterinhiscoat,putthecollarupandsatdown.Topassthetimeheopenedthealbumandflickedthroughthepagesalittlebutsoonhadtogiveupasitbecamesodarkthatwhenhelookeduphecouldhardlymakeoutanythinginthesidenavenexttohim.

Inthedistancetherewasalargetriangleofcandlesflickeringonthemainaltar,K.wasnotcertainwhetherhehadseenthemearlier.Perhapstheyhadonlyjustbeenlit.Churchstaffcreepsilentlyaspartoftheirjob,youdon'tnoticethem.WhenK.happenedtoturnroundhealsosawatall,stoutcandleattachedtoacolumnnotfarbehindhim.Itwasallverypretty,buttotallyinadequatetoilluminatethepictureswhichwereusuallyleftinthedarknessofthesidealtars,andseemedtomakethedarknessallthedeeper.ItwasdiscourteousoftheItaliannottocomebutitwasalsosensibleofhim,therewouldhavebeennothingtosee,theywouldhavehadtocontentthemselveswithseekingoutafewpictureswithK.'selectricpockettorchandlookingatthemonesmallpartatatime.K.wentovertoanearbysidechapeltoseewhattheycouldhavehopedfor,hewentupafewstepstoalowmarblerailingandleantoverittolookatthealtarpicturebythelightofhistorch.Theeternallighthungdisturbinglyinfrontofit.ThefirstthingthatK.partlysawandpartlyguessedatwasalargeknightinarmourwhowasshownatthefaredgeofthepainting.Hewasleaningonhisswordthathehadstuckintothenakedgroundinfrontofhimwhereonly

afewbladesofgrassgrewhereandthere.Heseemedtobepayingcloseattentiontosomethingthatwasbeingplayedoutinfrontofhim.Itwasastonishingtoseehowhestoodtherewithoutgoinganycloser.Perhapsitwashisjobtostandguard.ItwasalongtimesinceK.hadlookedatanypicturesandhestudiedtheknightforalongtimeeventhoughhehadcontinuallytoblinkashefounditdifficulttobearthegreenlightofhistorch.ThenwhenhemovedthelighttotheotherpartsofthepicturehefoundanintermentofChristshownintheusualway,itwasalsoacomparativelynewpainting.Heputhistorchawayandwentbacktohisplace.

ThereseemedtobenopointinwaitingfortheItaliananylonger,butoutsideitwascertainlyrainingheavily,andasitwasnotsocoldinthecathedralasK.hadexpectedhedecidedtostaythereforthetimebeing.Closebyhimwasthe

greatpulpit,thereweretwoplaingoldencrossesattachedtoitslittleroundroofwhichwerelyingalmostflatandwhosetipscrossedovereachother.Theoutsideofthepulpit'sbalustradewascoveredingreenfoliagewhichcontinueddowntothecolumnsupportingit,littleangelscouldbeseenamongtheleaves,someofthemlivelyandsomeofthemstill.K.walkeduptothepulpitandexamineditfromallsides,itsstoneworkhadbeensculptedwithgreatcare,itseemedasifthefoliagehadtrappedadeepdarknessbetweenandbehinditsleavesandhelditthereprisoner,K.layhishandinoneofthesegapsandcautiouslyfeltthestone,untilthenhehadbeentotallyunawareofthispulpit'sexistence.ThenK.happenedtonoticeoneofthechurchstaffstandingbehindthenextrowofpews,heworealoose,creased,blackcassock,heheldasnuffboxinhislefthandandhewaswatchingK.Nowwhatdoeshewant?thoughtK.DoIseemsuspicioustohim?Doeshewantatip?ButwhenthemaninthecassocksawthatK.had

noticedhimheraisedhisrighthand,apinchofsnuffstillheldbetweentwofingers,andpointedinsomevaguedirection.Itwasalmostimpossibletounderstandwhatthisbehaviourmeant,K.waitedawhilelongerbutthemaninthecassockdidnotstopgesturingwithhishandandevenaugmenteditbynoddinghishead."Nowwhatdoeshewant?"askedK.quietly,hedidnotdarecalloutloudhere;butthenhedrewouthispurseandpushedhiswaythroughthenearestpewstoreachtheman.He,however,immediatelygesturedtoturndownthisoffer,shruggedhisshouldersandlimpedaway.AsachildK.hadimitatedridingonahorsewiththesamesortofmovementasthislimp."Thisoldmanislikeachild,"thoughtK.,"hedoesn'thavethesenseforanythingmorethanservinginachurch.Lo



okatthewayhestopswhenIstop,andhowhewaitstoseewhetherI'llcontinue."Withasmile,K.followedtheoldmanallthewayupthesidenaveandalmostasfarasthemainaltar,allthistimetheoldmancontinuedtopointatsomethingbutK.deliberatelyavoidedlookinground,hewasonlypointinginordertomakeitharderforK.tofollowhim.Eventually,K.didstopfollowing,hedidnotwanttoworrytheoldmantoomuch,andhealsodidnotwanttofrightenhimawaycompletelyincasetheItalianturnedupafterall.

Whenheenteredthecentralnavetogobacktowherehehadleftthealbum,henoticedasmallsecondarypulpitonacolumnalmostnexttothestallsbythealtarwherethechoirsat.Itwasverysimple,madeofplainwhitestone,andsosmallthatfromadistanceitlookedlikeanemptynichewherethestatueofasaintoughttohavebeen.Itcertainlywouldhavebeenimpossibleforthepriesttotakeafullstepbackfromthebalustrade,and,althoughtherewasnodecorationonit,thetopofthepulpitcurvedinexceptionallylowsothatamanofaverageheightwouldnotbeablestanduprightandwouldhavetoremainbentforwardoverthebalustrade.Inall,itlookedasifithadbeenintendedtomakethepriestsuffer,itwasimpossibletounderstandwhythispulpitwouldbeneededastherewerealsotheotheronesavailablewhichwerelargeandsoartisticallydecorated.

AndK.wouldcertainlynothavenoticedthislittlepulpitiftherehadnotbeenalampfastenedaboveit,whichusuallymeanttherewasasermonabouttobegiven.Sowasasermontobegivennow?Inthisemptychurch?K.lookeddownatth

estepswhich,pressedcloseagainstthecolumn,leduptothepulpit.Theyweresonarrowtheyseemedtobethereasdecorationonthecolumnratherthanforanyonetouse.Butunderthepulpit-K.grinnedinastonishment-therereallywasaprieststandingwithhishandonthehandrailreadytoclimbthestepsandlookingatK.Thenhenoddedveryslightly,sothatK.crossedhimselfandgenuflectedasheshouldhavedoneearlier.Withalittleswing,thepriestwentupintothepulpitwithshortfaststeps.Wastherereallyasermonabouttobegin?Maybethemaninthecassockhadnotbeenreallysodemented,andhadmeanttoleadK.'swaytothepreacher,whichinthisemptychurchwouldhavebeenverynecessary.Andtherewasalso,somewhereinfrontofapictureoftheVirginMary,anoldwomanwhoshouldhavecometohearthesermon.Andiftherewastobeasermonwhyhaditnotbeenintroducedontheorgan?Buttheorganremainedquietandmerelylookedoutweaklyfromthedarknessofitsgreatheight.

K.nowconsideredwhetherheshouldleaveasquicklyaspossible,ifhedidnotdoitnowtherewouldbenochanceofdoingsoduringthesermonandhewouldhavetostaythereforaslongasitlasted,hehadlostsomuchtimewhenheshouldhavebeeninhisoffice,therehadlongbeennoneedforhimtowaitfortheItaliananylonger,helookedathiswatch,itwaseleven.Butcouldtherereallybeasermongiven?CouldK.constitutetheentirecongregation?Howcouldhewhenhewasjustastrangerwhowantedtolookatthechurch?That,basically,wasallhewas.Theideaofasermon,now,ateleveno'clock,onaworkday,inhideousweather,wasnonsense.Thepriest-therewasnodoubtthathewasapriest,ayoungmanwithasmooth,darkface-wasclearlygoinguptherejusttoputthelampoutaftersomebodyhadlititbymistake.

Buttherehadbeennomistake,thepriestseemedrathertocheckthatthelampwaslitandturneditalittlehigher,thenheslowlyturnedtofacethefrontandleantdownonthebalustradegrippingitsangularrailwithbothhands.Hestoodtherelikethatforawhileand,withoutturninghishead,lookedaround.K.hadmovedbackalongwayandleanthiselbowsonthefrontpew.Somewhereinthechurch-hecouldnothavesaidexactlywhere-hecouldmakeoutthemaninthecassockhunchedunderhisbentbackandatpeace,asifhisworkwerecompleted.Inthecathedralitwasnowveryquiet!ButK.wouldhavetodisturbthatsilence,hehadnointentionofstayingthere;ifitwasthepriest'sdutytopreachatacertaintimeregardlessofthecircumstancesthenhecould,andhecould



doitwithoutK.'stakingpart,andK.'spresencewoulddonothingtoaugmenttheeffectofit.SoK.beganslowlytomove,felthiswayontiptoealongthepew,arrivedatthebroadaisleandwentalongitwithoutbeingdisturbed,exceptforthesoundofhissteps,howeverlight,whichrangoutonthestonefloorandresoundedfromthevaulting,quietbutcontinuousatarepeating,regularpace.K.feltslightlyabandonedas,probablyobservedbythepriest,hewalkedbyhimselfbetweentheemptypews,andthesizeofthecathedralseemedtobejustatthelimitofwhatamancouldbear.Whenhearrivedbackatwherehehadbeensittinghedidnothesitatebutsimplyreachedoutforthealbumhehadleftthereandtookitwithhim.Hehadnearlylefttheareacoveredbypewsandwasclosetotheemptyspacebetweenhimselfandtheexitwhen,forthefirsttime,heheardthevoiceofthepriest.Apowerfulandexperiencedvoice.Itpiercedthroughthereachesofthecathedralreadywaitingforit!Butthepriestwasnotcallingouttothecongregation,hiscrywasquiteunambiguousandtherewasnoescapefromit,hecalled"JosefK.!"

K.stoodstillandlookeddownatthefloor.Intheoryhewasstillfree,hecouldhavecarriedonwalking,throughoneofthreedarklittlewoodendoorsnotfarinfrontofhimandawayfromthere.Itwouldsimplymeanhehadnotunderstood,orthathehadunderstoodbutchosenottopayattentiontoit.Butifheonceturnedroundhewouldbetrapped,thenhewouldhaveacknowledgedthathehadunderstoodperfectlywell,thathereallywastheJosefK.thepriesthadcalledtoandthathewaswillingtofollow.IfthepriesthadcalledoutagainK.wouldcertainlyhavecarriedonoutthedoor,buteverythingwassilentasK.also

waited,heturnedhisheadslightlyashewantedtoseewhatthepriestwasdoingnow.Hewasmerelystandinginthepulpitasbefore,butitwasobviousthathehadseenK.turnhishead.IfK.didnotnowturnroundcompletelyitwouldhavebeenlikeachildplayinghideandseek.Hedidso,andthepriestbeckonedhimwithhisfinger.Aseverythingcouldnowbedoneopenlyheran-becauseofcuriosityandthewishtogetitoverwith-withlongflyingleapstowardsthepulpit.Atthefrontpewshestopped,buttothepriesthestillseemedtoofaraway,hereachedouthishandandpointedsharplydownwithhisfingertoaplaceimmediatelyinfrontofthepulpit.AndK.didashewastold,standinginthatplacehehadtobendhisheadalongwaybackjusttoseethepriest."YouareJosefK.,"saidthepriest,andraisedhishandfromthebalustradetomakeagesturewhosemeaningwasunclear."Yes,"saidK.,heconsideredhowfreelyhehadalwaysgivenhisnameinthepast,forsometimenowithadbeenaburdentohi

m,nowtherewerepeoplewhoknewhisnamewhomhehadneverseenbefore,ithadbeensonicefirsttointroduceyourselfandonlythenforpeopletoknowwhoyouwere."Youhavebeenaccused,"saidthepriest,especiallygently."Yes,"saidK.,"soIhavebeeninformed.""ThenyouaretheoneIamlookingfor,"saidthepriest."Iamtheprisonchaplain.""Isee,"saidK."Ihadyousummonedhere,"saidthepriest,"becauseIwantedtospeaktoyou.""Iknewnothingofthat,"saidK."IcameheretoshowthecathedraltoagentlemanfromItaly.""Thatisbesidethepoint,"saidthepriest."Whatareyouholdinginyourhand?Isitaprayerbook?""No,"answeredK.,"it'sanalbumofthecity'stouristsights.""Putitdown,"saidthepriest.K.threwitawaywithsuchforcethatitflappedopenandrolledacrossthefloor,tearingitspages."Doyouknowyourcaseisgoingbadly?"askedthepriest."That'showitseemstometoo,"saidK."I'veexpendedalotofeffortonit,butsofarwithnoresult.AlthoughIdostillh

avesomedocumentstosubmit.""Howdoyouimagineitwillend?"askedthepriest."AtfirstIthoughtitwasboundtoendwell,"saidK.,"butnowIhavemydoubtsaboutit.Idon'tknowhowitwillend.Doyouknow?""Idon't,"saidthepriest,"butIfearitwillendbadly.Youareconsideredguilty.Yourcasewillprobablynotevengobeyondaminorcourt.Provisionallyatleast,yourguiltisseenasproven.""ButI'mnotguilty,"saidK.,"there'sbeenamistake.Howisitevenpossibleforsomeonetobeguilty.We'reallhumanbeingshere,oneliketheother.""Thatistrue,"saidthepriest,"butthatishowtheguiltyspeak.""DoyoupresumeI'mguiltytoo?"askedK."Imakenopresumptionsaboutyou,"saidthepriest."Ithankyouforthat,"saidK."buteveryoneelseinvolvedin



theseproceedingshassomethingagainstmeandpresumesI'mguilty.Theyeveninfluencethosewhoaren'tinvolved.Mypositiongetsharderallthetime.""Youdon'tunderstandthefacts,"saidthepriest,"theverdictdoesnotcomesuddenly,proceedingscontinueuntilaverdictisreachedgradually.""Isee,"saidK.,loweringhishead."Whatdoyouintendtodoaboutyourcasenext?"askedthepriest."Istillneedtofindhelp,"saidK.,raisinghisheadtoseewhatthepriestthoughtofthis."TherearestillcertainpossibilitiesIhaven'tyetmadeuseof.""Youlookfortoomuchhelpfrompeopleyoudon'tknow,"saidthepriestdisapprovingly,"andespeciallyfromwomen.Canyoureallynotseethat'snotthehelpyouneed?""Sometimes,infactquiteoften,Icouldbelieveyou'reright,"saidK.,"butnotalways.Womenhavealotofpower.IfIcouldpersuadesomeofthewomenIknowtoworktogetherwithmethenIwouldbecertaintosucceed.Especiallyinacourtlikethisthatseemstoconsistofnothingbutwoman-chasers.Showtheexaminingjudgeawomaninthedistanceandhe'llrunrightoverthedesk,andtheaccused,justtogettoherassoonashecan."Thepriestloweredhisheaddowntothebalustrade,onlynowdidtheroofoverthepulpitseemtopresshimdown.Whatsortofdreadfulweathercoulditbeoutside?Itwasnolongerjustadullday,itwasdeepestnight.Noneofthestainedglassinthemainwindowshedevenaflickeroflightonthedarknessofthewalls.Andthiswasthemomentwhenthemaninthecassockchosetoputoutthecandlesonthemainaltar,onebyone."Areyoucrosswithme?"askedK."Maybeyoudon'tknowwhatsortofcourtitisyouserve."Hereceivednoanswer."Well,it'sjustmyownexperience,"saidK.Abovehimtherewasstillsilence."Ididn'tmeantoinsultyou,"saidK.Atthat,thepriestscreameddownatK.:"Canyounotseetwo

stepsinfrontofyou?"Heshoutedinanger,butitwasalsothescreamofonewhoseesanotherfalland,shockedandwithoutthinking,screamsagainsthisownwill.

Thetwomen,then,remainedsilentforalongtime.Inthedarknessbeneathhim,thepriestcouldnotpossiblyhaveseenK.distinctly,althoughK.wasabletoseehimclearlybythelightofthelittlelamp.Whydidthepriestnotcomedown?Hehadnotgivenasermon,hehadonlytoldK.afewthingswhich,ifhefollowedthemclosely,wouldprobablycausehimmoreharmthangood.Butthepriestcertainlyseemedtomeanwell,itmightevenbepossible,ifhewouldcomedownandcooperatewithhim,itmightevenbepossibleforhimtoobtainsomeacceptablepieceofadvicethatcouldmakeallthedifference,itmight,forinstance,beabletoshowhimnotsomuchtoinfluencetheproceedingsbuthowtobreakfr

eeofthem,howtoevadethem,howtoliveawayfromthem.K.hadtoadmitthatthiswassomethinghehadhadonhismindquitealotoflate.Ifthepriestknewofsuchapossibilityhemight,ifK.askedhim,lethimknowaboutit,eventhoughhewaspartofthecourthimselfandeventhough,whenK.hadcriticisedthecourt,hehadhelddownhisgentlenatureandactuallyshoutedatK.

"Wouldyounotliketocomedownhere?"askedK."Ifyou'renotgoingtogiveasermoncomedownherewithme.""NowIcancomedown,"saidthepriest,perhapsheregrettedhavingshoutedatK.Ashetookdownthelampfromitshookhesaid,"tostartoffwithIhadtospeaktoyoufromadistance.OtherwiseI'mtooeasilyinfluencedandforgetmyduty."

K.waitedforhimatthefootofthesteps.Whilehewasstillononeofthehig

herstepsashecamedownthemthepriestreachedouthishandforK.toshake."Canyousparemealittleofyourtime?"askedK."Asmuchtimeasyouneed,"saidthepriest,andpassedhimthelittlelampforhimtocarry.Evenatclosedistancethepriestdidnotloseacertainsolemnitythatseemedtobepartofhischaracter."Youareveryfriendlytowardsme,"saidK.,astheywalkedupanddownbesideeachotherinthedarknessofoneofthesidenaves."Thatmakesyouanexceptionamongallthosewhobelongtothecourt.IcantrustyoumorethananyoftheothersI'veseen.Icanspeakopenlywithyou.""Don'tfoolyourself,"saidthepriest."HowwouldIbefoolingmyself?"askedK."Youfoolyourselfinthecourt,"saidthepriest,"ittalksaboutthisself-deceitintheopening



paragraphstothelaw.Infrontofthelawthereisadoorkeeper.Amanfromthecountrysidecomesuptothedoorandasksforentry.Butthedoorkeepersayshecan'tlethimintothelawrightnow.Themanthinksaboutthis,andthenheasksifhe'llbeabletogoinlateron.'That'spossible,'saysthedoorkeeper,'butnotnow'.Thegatewaytothelawisopenasitalwaysis,andthedoorkeeperhassteppedtooneside,sothemanbendsovertotryandseein.Whenthedoorkeepernoticesthishelaughsandsays,'Ifyou'retemptedgiveitatry,tryandgoineventhoughIsayyoucan't.Carefulthough:I'mpowerful.AndI'monlythelowliestofallthedoormen.Butthere'sadoorkeeperforeachoftheroomsandeachofthemismorepowerfulthanthelast.It'smorethanIcanstandjusttolookatthethirdone.'Themanfromthecountryhadnotexpecteddifficultieslikethis,thelawwassupposedtobeaccessibleforanyoneatanytime,hethinks,butnowhelooksmorecloselyatthedoorkeeperinhisfurcoat,seeshisbighookednose,hislongthintartar-beard,andhedecidesit'sbettertowaituntilhehaspermissiontoenter.Thedoorkeepergiveshimastoolandletshimsitdowntoonesideofthegate.Hesitstherefordaysandyears.Hetriestobeallowedintimeandagainandtiresthedoorkeeperwithhisrequests.Thedoorkeeperoftenquestionshim,askingaboutwherehe'sfromandmanyotherthings,butthesearedisinterestedquestionssuchasgreatmenask,andhealwaysendsupbytellinghimhestillcan'tlethimin.Themanhadcomewellequippedforhisjourney,anduseseverything,howevervaluable,tobribethedoorkeeper.Heacceptseverything,butashedoessohesays,'I'llonlyacceptthissothatyoudon'tthinkthere'sanythingyou'vefailedtodo'.Overmanyyears,themanwatchesthedoorkeeperalmostwithoutabreak.Heforgetsabouttheotherdoor

men,andbeginstothinkthisoneistheonlythingstoppinghimfromgainingaccesstothelaw.Overthefirstfewyearshecurseshisunhappyconditionoutloud,butlater,ashebecomesold,hejustgrumblestohimself.Hebecomessenile,andashehascometoknoweventhefleasinthedoorkeeper'sfurcollarovertheyearsthathehasbeenstudyinghimheevenasksthemtohelphimandchangethedoorkeeper'smind.Finallyhiseyesgrowdim,andhenolongerknowswhetherit'sreallygettingdarkerorjusthiseyesthataredeceivinghim.Butheseemsnowtoseeaninextinguishablelightbegintoshinefromthedarknessbehindthedoor.Hedoesn'thavelongtolivenow.Justbeforehedies,hebringstogetherallhisexperiencefromallthistimeintoonequestionwhichhehasstillneverputtothedoorkeeper.Hebeckonstohim,ashe'snolongerabletoraisehisstiffbody.Thedoorkeeperhastobendoverdeeplyasthedifferenceintheirsizeshaschangedverymuchtothedisadvantageoftheman.'Whatisityouwan

ttoknownow?'asksthedoorkeeper,'You'reinsatiable.''Everyonewantsaccesstothelaw,'saystheman,'howcome,overalltheseyears,no-onebutmehasaskedtobeletin?'Thedoorkeepercanseetheman'scometohisend,hishearinghasfaded,andso,sothathecanbeheard,heshoutstohim:'Nobodyelsecouldhavegotinthisway,asthisentrancewasmeantonlyforyou.NowI'llgoandcloseit'."

"Sothedoorkeepercheatedtheman,"saidK.immediately,whohadbeencaptivatedbythestory."Don'tbetooquick,"saidthepriest,"don'ttakesomebodyelse'sopinionwithoutcheckingit.Itoldyouthestoryexactlyasitwaswritten.There'snothinginthereaboutcheating.""Butit'squiteclear,"saidK.,"andyourfirstinterpretationofitwasquitecorrect.Thedoorkeepergavehimtheinformationthatwouldreleasehimonlywhenitcouldbeofnomoreuse.""Hedid

n'taskhimbeforethat,"saidthepriest,"anddon'tforgethewasonlyadoorkeeper,andasdoorkeeperhedidhisduty.""Whatmakesyouthinkhedidhisduty?"askedK.,"Hedidn't.Itmighthavebeenhisdutytokeepeveryoneelseaway,butthismaniswhothedoorwasintendedforandheoughttohavelethimin.""You'renotpayingenoughattentiontowhatwaswrittenandyou'rechangingthestory,"saidthepriest."Accordingtothestory,therearetwoimportantthingsthatthedoorkeeperexplainsaboutaccesstothelaw,oneatthebeginning,oneattheend.Atoneplacehesayshecan'tallowhiminnow,andattheotherhesaysthisentrancewasintendedforhimalone.Ifoneofthestatementscontradictedtheotheryouwouldberightandthedoorkeeperwouldhavecheatedthema



nfromthecountry.Butthereisnocontradiction.Onthecontrary,thefirststatementevenhintsatthesecond.Youcouldalmostsaythedoorkeeperwentbeyondhisdutyinthatheofferedthemansomeprospectofbeingadmittedinthefuture.Throughoutthestory,hisdutyseemstohavebeenmerelytoturnthemanaway,andtherearemanycommentatorswhoaresurprisedthatthedoorkeeperofferedthishintatall,asheseemstoloveexactitudeandkeepsstrictguardoverhisposition.Hestaysathispostformanyyearsanddoesn'tclosethegateuntiltheveryend,he'sveryconsciousoftheimportanceofhisservice,ashesays,'I'mpowerful,'hehasrespectforhissuperiors,ashesays,'I'monlythelowliestofthedoormen',he'snottalkative,asthroughalltheseyearstheonlyquestionsheasksare'disinterested',he'snotcorruptible,aswhenhe'sofferedagifthesays,'I'llonlyacceptthissothatyoudon'tthinkthere'sanythingyou'vefailedtodo,'asfarasfulfillinghisdutygoeshecanbeneitherrufflednorbegged,asitsaysaboutthemanthat,'hetiresthedoorkeeperwithhisrequests',evenhisexternalappearancesuggestsapedanticcharacter,thebighookednoseandthelong,thin,blacktartar-beard.Howcouldanydoorkeeperbemorefaithfultohisduty?Butinthedoorkeeper'scharactertherearealsootherfeatureswhichmightbeveryusefulforthosewhoseekentrytothelaw,andwhenhehintedatsomepossibilityinthefutureitalwaysseemedtomakeitclearthathemightevengobeyondhisduty.There'snodenyinghe'salittlesimpleminded,andthatmakeshimalittleconceited.Evenifallhesaidabouthispowerandthepoweroftheotherdoorkeepersandhownotevenhecouldbearthesightofthem-Isayevenifalltheseassertionsareright,thewayhemakesthemshowsthathe'stoosimpleandarroganttounderstandproperly.Thecommentat

orssayaboutthisthat,'correctunderstandingofamatterandamisunderstandingofthesamematterarenotmutuallyexclusive'.Whetherthey'rerightornot,youhavetoconcedethathissimplicityandarrogance,howeverlittletheyshow,doweakenhisfunctionofguardingtheentrance,theyaredefectsinthedoorkeeper'scharacter.Youalsohavetoconsiderthatthedoorkeeperseemstobefriendlybynature,heisn'talwaysjustanofficial.Hemakesajokerightatthebeginning,inthatheinvitesthemantoenteratthesametimeasmaintainingthebanonhisentering,andthenhedoesn'tsendhimawaybutgiveshim,asitsaysinthetext,astooltositonandletshimstaybythesideofthedoor.Thepatiencewithwhichheputsupwiththeman'srequeststhroughalltheseyears,thelittlequestioningsessions,acceptingthegifts,hispolitenesswhenheputsupwiththemancursinghisfateeventhoughitwasthedoorkeeperwhocausedthatfate-allthesethingsseemtowanttoarouseoursympathy.Noteverydo

orkeeperwouldhavebehavedinthesameway.Andfinally,heletsthemanbeckonhimandhebendsdeepdowntohimsothathecanputhislastquestion.There'snomorethansomeslightimpatience-thedoorkeeperknowseverything'scometoitsend-showninthewords,'You'reinsatiable'.Therearemanycommentatorswhogoevenfurtherinexplainingitinthiswayandthinkthewords,'you'reinsatiable'areanexpressionoffriendlyadmiration,albeitwithsomecondescension.Howeveryoulookatitthefigureofthedoorkeepercomesoutdifferentlyfromhowyoumightthink.""YouknowthestorybetterthanIdoandyou'veknownitforlonger,"saidK.Theyweresilentforawhile.AndthenK.said,"Soyouthinkthemanwasnotcheated,doyou?""Don'tgetmewrong,"saidthepriest,"I'mjustpointingoutthedifferentopinionsaboutit.Youshouldn'tpaytoomuchattentiontopeople'sopinions.Thetextcannotbealtered,andthevariousopinionsareoftennomorethananexpressionofdespairoverit.There'sevenone

opinionwhichsaysit'sthedoorkeeperwho'sbeencheated.""Thatdoesseemtotakethingstoofar,"saidK."Howcantheyarguethedoorkeeperhasbeencheated?""Theirargument,"answeredthepriest,"isbasedonthesimplicityofthedoorkeeper.Theysaythedoorkeeperdoesn'tknowtheinsideofthelaw,onlythewayintoitwherehejustwalksupanddown.Theyseehisideasofwhat'sinsidethelawasratherchildish,andsupposehe'safraidhimselfofwhathewantstomakethemanfrightenedof.Yes,he'smoreafraidofitthantheman,asthemanwantsnothingbuttogoinsidethelaw,evenafterhe'sheardabouttheterribledoormenthere,incontrasttothedoorkeeperwhodoesn'twanttogoin,oratleastwedon'thearanythingaboutit.Ontheotherhand,therearethosewhosay



hemusthavealreadybeeninsidethelawashehasbeentakenonintoitsserviceandthatcouldonlyhavebeendoneinside.Thatcanbecounteredbysupposinghecouldhavebeengiventhejobofdoorkeeperbysomebodycallingoutfrominside,andthathecan'thavegoneveryfarinsideashecouldn'tbearthesightofthethirddoorkeeper.Nor,throughallthoseyears,doesthestorysaythedoorkeepertoldthemananythingabouttheinside,otherthanhiscommentabouttheotherdoorkeepers.Hecouldhavebeenforbiddentodoso,buthehasn'tsaidanythingaboutthateither.Allthisseemstoshowhedoesn'tknowanythingaboutwhattheinsidelookslikeorwhatitmeans,andthatthat'swhyhe'sbeingdeceived.Buthe'salsobeingdeceivedbythemanfromthecountryashe'sthisman'ssubordinateanddoesn'tknowit.There'salottoindicatethathetreatsthemanashissubordinate,Iexpectyouremember,butthosewhoholdthisviewwouldsayit'sveryclearthathereallyishissubordinate.Aboveall,thefreemanissuperiortothemanwhohastoserveanother.Now,themanreallyisfree,hecangowhereverhewants,theonlythingforbiddentohimisentryintothelawand,what'smore,there'sonlyonemanforbiddinghimtodoso-thedoorkeeper.Ifhetakesthestoolandsitsdownbesidethedoorandstaysthereallhislifehedoesthisofhisownfreewill,there'snothinginthestorytosayhewasforcedtodoit.Ontheotherhand,thedoorkeeperiskepttohispostbyhisemployment,he'snotallowedtogoawayfromitanditseemshe'snotallowedtogoinsideeither,notevenifhewantedto.Also,althoughhe'sintheserviceofthelawhe'sonlythereforthisoneentrance,thereforehe'sthereonlyintheserviceofthisonemanwhothedoor'sintendedfor.Thisisanotherwayinwhichhe'shissubordinate.Wecantakeitthathe'sbeenperformingthissomewha

temptyserviceformanyyears,throughthewholeofaman'slife,asitsaysthatamanwillcome,thatmeanssomeoneoldenoughtobeaman.Thatmeansthedoorkeeperwillhavetowaitalongtimebeforehisfunctionisfulfilled,hewillhavetowaitforaslongasthemanliked,whocametothedoorofhisownfreewill.Eventheendofthedoorkeeper'sserviceisdeterminedbywhentheman'slifeends,sothedoorkeeperremainshissubordinaterighttotheend.Andit'spointedoutrepeatedlythatthedoorkeeperseemstoknownothingofanyofthis,althoughthisisnotseenasanythingremarkable,asthosewhoholdthisviewseethedoorkeeperasdeludedinawaythat'sfarworse,awaythat'stodowithhisservice.Attheend,speakingabouttheentrancehesays,'NowI'llgoandcloseit',althoughatthebeginningofthestoryitsaysthedoortothelawisopenasitalwaysis,butifit'salwaysopen-always-thatmeansit'sopenindependentlyofthelifespanofthemanit'sintendedfor,andnoteventhedoork

eeperwillbeabletocloseit.Therearevariousopinionsaboutthis,somesaythedoorkeeperwasonlyansweringaquestionorshowinghisdevotiontodutyor,justwhenthemanwasinhislastmoments,thedoorkeeperwantedtocausehimregretandsorrow.Therearemanywhoagreethathewouldn'tbeabletoclosethedoor.Theyevenbelieve,attheendatleast,thedoorkeeperisaware,deepdown,thathe'stheman'ssubordinate,asthemanseesthelightthatshinesoutoftheentrytothelawwhereasthedoorkeeperwouldprobablyhavehisbacktoitandsaysnothingatalltoshowthere'sbeenanychange.""Thatiswellsubstantiated,"saidK.,whohadbeenrepeatingsomepartsofthepriest'sexplanationtohimselfinawhisper."Itiswellsubstantiated,andnowItoothinkthedoorkeepermusthavebeendeceived.AlthoughthatdoesnotmeanI'veabandonedwhatIthoughtearlierasthetwoversionsare,tosomeextent,notincompatible.It'snotclearwhetherthedoorkeeperseesclearlyorisdeceived.Isaidthemanha

dbeencheated.Ifthedoorkeeperunderstandsclearly,thentherecouldbesomedoubtaboutit,butifthedoorkeeperhasbeendeceivedthenthemanisboundtobelievethesamething.Thatwouldmeanthedoorkeeperisnotacheatbutsosimple-mindedthatheoughttobedismissedfromhisjobimmediately;ifthedoorkeeperismistakenitwilldohimnoharmbutthemanwillbeharmedimmensely.""Thereyou'vefoundanotheropinion,"saidthepriest,"astherearemanywhosaythestorydoesn'tgiveanyonetherighttojudgethedoorkeeper.Howeverhemightseemtousheisstillintheserviceofthelaw,sohebelongstothelaw,sohe'sbeyondwhatmanhasarighttojudge.Inthiscasewecan'tbelievethedoorkeeperistheman'ssubordinate.Evenifhehastostayattheentranceinto



thelawhisservicemakeshimincomparablymorethanifhelivedfreelyintheworld.Themanhascometothelawforthefirsttimeandthedoorkeeperisalreadythere.He'sbeengivenhispositionbythelaw,todoubthisworthwouldbetodoubtthelaw.""Ican'tsayI'mincompleteagreementwiththisview,"saidK.shakinghishead,"asifyouacceptityou'llhavetoacceptthateverythingsaidbythedoorkeeperistrue.Butyou'vealreadyexplainedveryfullythatthat'snotpossible.""No,"saidthepriest,"youdon'tneedtoaccepteverythingastrue,youonlyhavetoacceptitasnecessary.""Depressingview,"saidK."Theliemadeintotheruleoftheworld."

K.saidthatasifitwerehisfinalwordbutitwasnothisconclusion.Hewastootiredtothinkaboutalltheramificationsofthestory,andthesortofthoughtstheyledhimintowerenotfamiliartohim,unrealisticthings,thingsbettersuitedforofficialsofthecourttodiscussthanforhim.Thesimplestoryhadlostitsshape,hewantedtoshakeitoff,andthepriestwhonowfeltquitecompassionateallowedthisandacceptedK.'sremarkswithoutcomment,eventhoughhisviewwascertainlyverydifferentfromK.'s.

Insilence,theycarriedonwalkingforsometime,K.stayedclosebesidethepriestwithoutknowingwherehewas.Thelampinhishandhadlongsincegoneout.Once,justinfrontofhim,hethoughthecouldseethestatueofasaintbytheglitterofthesilveronit,althoughitquicklydisappearedbackintothedarkness.Sothathewouldnotremainentirelydependentonthepriest,K.askedhim,"We'renownearthemainentrance,arewe?""No,"saidthepriest,"we'real

ongwayfromit.Doyoualreadywanttogo?"K.hadnotthoughtofgoinguntilthen,butheimmediatelysaid,"Yes,certainly,Ihavetogo.I'mthechiefclerkinabankandtherearepeoplewaitingforme,Ionlycameheretoshowaforeignbusinesscontactroundthecathedral.""Alright,"saidthepriestofferinghimhishand,"gothen.""ButIcan'tfindmywayroundinthisdarknessbymyself,"saidK."Gotoyourleftasfarasthewall,"saidthepriest,"thencontinuealongsidethewallwithoutleavingitandyou'llfindawayout."Thepriesthadonlygoneafewpacesfromhim,butK.wasalreadyshoutingloudly,"Please,wait!""I'mwaiting,"saidthepriest."Isthereanythingelseyouwantfromme?"askedK."No,"saidthepriest."Youweresofriendlytomeearlieron,"saidK.,"andyouexplainedeverything,butnowyouabandonmeasifIwerenothingtoyou.""Youhavetogo,"saidthepriest."Well,yes,"saidK.,"youneedtounderstandthat.""First,youneedtounderstandwhoIam,"saidthepriest."You'r

etheprisonchaplain,"saidK.,andwentclosertothepriest,itwasnotsoimportantforhimtogostraightbacktothebankashehadmadeout,hecouldverywellstaywherehewas."SothatmeansIbelongtothecourt,"saidthepriest."SowhywouldIwantanythingfromyou?thecourtdoesn'twantanythingfromyou.Itacceptsyouwhenyoucomeanditletsyougowhenyouleave."ChapterTenEnd

TheeveningbeforeK.'sthirty-firstbirthday-itwasaboutnineo'clockintheevening,thetimewhenthestreetswerequiet-twomencametowherehelived.Infrockcoats,paleandfat,wearingtophatsthatlookedliketheycouldnotbetakenofftheirheads.Aftersomebriefformalitiesatthedooroftheflatwhentheyfirstarrived,thesameformalitieswererepeatedatgreaterlengthatK.'sdoor.Hehadnotbeennotifiedtheywouldbecoming,butK.satinachair

nearthedoor,dressedinblackastheywere,andslowlyputonnewgloveswhichstretchedtightlyoverhisfingersandbehavedasifhewereexpectingvisitors.Heimmediatelystoodupandlookedatthegentlemeninquisitively."You'vecomeformethen,haveyou?"heasked.Thegentlemennodded,oneofthemindicatedtheotherwiththetophandnowinhishand.K.toldthemhehadbeenexpectingadifferentvisitor.Hewenttothewindowandlookedoncemoredownatthedarkstreet.Mostofthewindowsontheothersideofthestreetwerealsodarkalready,manyofthemhadthecurtainsclosed.Inoneofthewindowsonthesamefloorwheretherewasalighton,twosmallchildrencouldbeseenplayingwitheachotherinsideaplaypen,unabletomovefromwheretheywere,reachingoutfor



eachotherwiththeirlittlehands."Someancient,unimportantactors-that'swhatthey'vesentforme,"saidK.tohimself,andlookedroundonceagaintoconfirmthistohimself."Theywanttosortmeoutascheaplyastheycan."K.suddenlyturnedroundtofacethetwomenandasked,"Whattheatredoyouplayin?""Theatre?"askedoneofthegentlemen,turningtotheotherforassistanceandpullinginthecornersofhismouth.Theothermadeagesturelikesomeonewhowasdumb,asifhewerestrugglingwithsomeorganismcausinghimtrouble."You'renotproperlypreparedtoanswerquestions,"saidK.andwenttofetchhishat.

AssoonastheywereonthestairsthegentlemenwantedtotakeK.'sarms,butK.said"Waittillwe'reinthestreet,I'mnotill."ButtheywaitedonlyuntilthefrontdoorbeforetheytookhisarmsinawaythatK.hadneverexperiencedbefore.Theykepttheirshouldersclosebehindhis,didnotturntheirarmsinbuttwistedthemaroundtheentirelengthofK.'sarmsandtookholdofhishandswithagraspthatwasformal,experiencedandcouldnotberesisted.K.washeldstiffanduprightbetweenthem,theyformednowasingleunitsothatifanyoneofthemhadbeenknockeddownallofthemmusthavefallen.Theyformedaunitofthesortthatnormallycanbeformedonlybymatterthatislifeless.

WhenevertheypassedunderalampK.triedtoseehiscompanionsmoreclearly,asfaraswaspossiblewhentheywerepressedsoclosetogether,asinthedimlightofhisroomthishadbeenhardlypossible."Maybethey'retenors,"hethoughtashesawtheirbigdoublechins.Thecleanlinessoftheirfacesdisgustedhim.Hecouldseethehandsthatcleanedthem,passingoverthecornersoftheirey

es,rubbingattheirupperlips,scratchingoutthecreasesonthosechins.

WhenK.noticedthat,hestopped,whichmeanttheothershadtostoptoo;theywereattheedgeofanopensquare,devoidofpeoplebutdecoratedwithflowerbeds."Whydidtheysendyou,ofallpeople!"hecriedout,moreashoutthanaquestion.Thetwogentlemanclearlyknewnoanswertogive,theywaited,theirfreearmshangingdown,likenurseswhenthepatientneedstorest."Iwillgonofurther,"saidK.asiftoseewhatwouldhappen.Thegentlemendidnotneedtomakeanyanswer,itwasenoughthattheydidnotloosentheirgriponK.andtriedtomovehimon,butK.resistedthem."I'llsoonhavenoneedofmuchstrength,I'lluseallofitnow,"hethought.Hethoughtofthefliesthatteartheirlegsoffstrugglingtogetfreeoftheflypaper."Thesegentlemanwillhavesomehardworktodo".

Justthen,MissBürstnercameupintothesquareinfrontofthemfromthestepsleadingfromasmallstreetatalowerlevel.Itwasnotcertainthatitwasher,althoughthesimilaritywas,ofcourse,great.ButitdidnotmattertoK.whetheritwascertainlyheranyway,hejustbecamesuddenlyawarethattherewasnopointinhisresistance.Therewouldbenothingheroicaboutitifheresisted,ifhenowcausedtroubleforthesegentlemen,ifindefendinghimselfhesoughttoenjoyhislastglimmeroflife.Hestartedwalking,whichpleasedthegentlemenandsomeoftheirpleasureconveyeditselftohim.Nowtheypermittedhimtodecidewhichdirectiontheytook,andhedecidedtotakethedirectionthatfollowedtheyoungwomaninfrontofthem,notsomuchbecausehewantedtocatchupwithher,norevenbecausehewantedtokeepherinsightforaslongaspossible,butonlysothathewouldnotforgetthereproachsherepresentedforhim.

"TheonlythingIcandonow,"hesaidtohimself,andhisthoughtwasconfirmedbytheequallengthofhisownstepswiththestepsofthetwoothers,"theonlythingIcandonowiskeepmycommonsenseanddowhat'sneededrighttilltheend.Ialwayswantedtogoattheworldandtryanddotoomuch,andeventodoitforsomethingthatwasnottoocheap.Thatwaswrongofme.ShouldInowshowthemIlearnednothingfromfacingtrialforayear?ShouldIgooutlikesomeonestupid?ShouldIletanyonesay,afterI'mgone,thatatthestartoftheproceedingsIwantedtoendthem,andthatnowthatthey'veendedIwanttostartthemagain?Idon'twantanyonetosaythat.I'mgratefultheysenttheseunspeaking,uncomprehendingmentogowithmeonthisjourney,andthatit'sbeenleft



uptometosaywhat'snecessary".

Meanwhile,theyoungwomanhadturnedoffintoasidestreet,butK.coulddowithouthernowandlethiscompanionsleadhim.Allthreeofthemnow,incompleteagreement,wentoverabridgeinthelightofthemoon,thetwogentlemenwerewillingtoyieldtoeachlittlemovementmadebyK.ashemovedslightlytowardstheedgeanddirectedthegroupinthatdirectionasasingleunit.Themoonlightglitteredandquiveredinthewater,whichdivideditselfaroundasmallislandcoveredinadensely-piledmassoffoliageandtreesandbushes.Beneaththem,nowinvisible,thereweregravelpathswithcomfortablebencheswhereK.hadstretchedhimselfoutonmanysummer'sdays."Ididn'tactuallywanttostophere,"hesaidtohiscompanions,shamedbytheircompliancewithhiswishes.BehindK.'sbackoneofthemseemedtoquietlycriticisetheotherforthemisunderstandingaboutstopping,andthentheywenton.Thewentonupthroughseveralstreetswherepolicemenwerewalkingorstandinghereandthere;someinthedistanceandthensomeveryclose.Oneofthemwithabushymoustache,hishandonthegripofhissword,seemedtohavesomepurposeinapproachingthegroup,whichwashardlyunsuspicious.Thetwogentlemenstopped,thepolicemanseemedabouttoopenhismouth,andthenK.drovehisgroupforcefullyforward.Severaltimeshelookedbackcautiouslytoseeifthepolicemanwasfollowing;butwhentheyhadacornerbetweenthemselvesandthepolicemanK.begantorun,andthetwogentlemen,despitebeingseriouslyshortofbreath,hadtorunwithhim.

Inthiswaytheyquicklyleftthebuiltupareaandfoundthemselvesinthefiel

dswhich,inthispartoftown,beganalmostwithoutanytransitionzone.Therewasaquarry,emptyandabandoned,nearabuildingwhichwasstilllikethoseinthecity.Herethemenstopped,perhapsbecausethishadalwaysbeentheirdestinationorperhapsbecausetheyweretooexhaustedtorunanyfurther.HeretheyreleasedtheirholdonK.,whojustwaitedinsilence,andtooktheirtophatsoffwhiletheylookedroundthequarryandwipedthesweatofftheirbrowswiththeirhandkerchiefs.Themoonlightlayeverywherewiththenaturalpeacethatisgrantedtonootherlight.

Afterexchangingafewcourtesiesaboutwhowastocarryoutthenexttasks-thegentlemendidnotseemtohavebeenallocatedspecificfunctions-oneofthemwenttoK.andtookhiscoat,hiswaistcoat,andfinallyhisshirtoffhim.K.madeaninvoluntaryshiver,atwhichthegentlemangavehimagentle,reassuring

tapontheback.Thenhecarefullyfoldedthethingsupasiftheywouldstillbeneeded,evenifnotinthenearfuture.HedidnotwanttoexposeK.tothechillynightairwithoutmovingthough,sohetookhimunderthearmandwalkedupanddownwithhimalittlewaywhiletheothergentlemanlookedroundthequarryforasuitableplace.Whenhehadfoundithemadeasignandtheothergentlemanescortedhimthere.Itwasneartherockface,therewasastonelyingtherethathadbrokenloose.ThegentlemensatK.downontheground,leanthimagainstthestoneandsettledhisheaddownonthetopofit.Despitealltheefforttheywentto,anddespitealltheco-operationshownbyK.,hisdemeanourseemedveryforcedandhardtobelieve.SooneofthegentlemenaskedtheothertogranthimashorttimewhileheputK.inpositionbyhimself,buteventhatdidnothingtomakeitbetter.IntheendtheyleftK.inapositionthatwasfarfromthebestoftheonestheyhadtriedsofar.Thenoneofthegentlemenopenedhi

sfrockcoatandfromasheathhangingonabeltstretchedacrosshiswaistcoathewithdrewalong,thin,double-edgedbutcher'sknifewhichheheldupinthelighttotestitssharpness.Therepulsivecourtesiesbeganonceagain,oneofthempassedtheknifeoverK.totheother,whothenpasseditbackoverK.tothefirst.K.nowknewitwouldbehisdutytotaketheknifeasitpassedfromhandtohandabovehimandthrustitintohimself.Buthedidnotdoit,insteadhetwistedhisneck,whichwasstillfree,andlookedaround.Hewasnotabletoshowhisfullworth,wasnotabletotakealltheworkfromtheofficialbodies,helackedtherestofthestrengthheneededandthisfinalshortcomingwasthefaultofwhoeverhaddeniedittohim.Ashelookedround,hesawthetopfloor



ofthebuildingnexttothequarry.Hesawhowalightflickeredonandthetwohalvesofawindowopenedout,somebody,madeweakandthinbytheheightandthedistance,leantsuddenlyfaroutfromitandstretchedhisarmsoutevenfurther.Whowasthat?Afriend?Agoodperson?Somebodywhowastakingpart?Somebodywhowantedtohelp?Washealone?Wasiteveryone?Wouldanyonehelp?Werethereobjectionsthathadbeenforgotten?Theremusthavebeensome.Thelogiccannotberefuted,butsomeonewhowantstolivewillnotresistit.Wherewasthejudgehe'dneverseen?Wherewasthehighcourthehadneverreached?Heraisedbothhandsandspreadoutallhisfingers.

ButthehandsofoneofthegentlemanwerelaidonK.'sthroat,whiletheotherpushedtheknifedeepintohisheartandtwisteditthere,twice.Ashiseyesightfailed,K.sawthetwogentlemencheekbycheek,closeinfrontofhisface,watchingtheresult."Likeadog!"hesaid,itwasasiftheshameofitshouldoutlivehim.

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