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Even while he was still speaking, K.’s uncle had stood on
tiptoe to summon a taxi and now he pulled K. into the car
behind himself as he called out an address to the driver.
“We’re going now to see Dr. Huld, the lawyer,” he said, “we
were at school together. I’m sure you know the name, don’t
you? No? Well that is odd. He’s got a very good reputation as
a defence barrister and for working with the poor. But I es-
teem him especially as someone you can trust.” “It’s alright
with me, whatever you do,” said K., although he was made
uneasy by the rushed and urgent way his uncle was dealing
with the matter. It was not very encouraging, as the accused,
be to taken to a lawyer for poor people. “I didn’t know,” he
said, “that you could take on a lawyer in matters like this.”
“Well of course you can,” said his uncle, “that goes without
saying. Why wouldn’t you take on a lawyer? And now, so
that I’m properly instructed in this matter, tell me what’s
been happening so far.” K. instantly began telling his uncle
about what had been happening, holding nothing back be-
ing completely open with him was the only way that K.
could protest at his uncle’s belief that the trial was a great
disgrace. He mentioned Miss Burstner’s name just once and
in passing, but that did nothing to diminish his openness
about the trial as Miss Burstner had no connection with it.
As he spoke, he looked out the window and saw how, just
then, they were getting closer to the suburb where the court
offices were. He drew this to his uncle’s attention, but he did
not find the coincidence especially remarkable. The taxi
stopped in front of a dark building. K.’s uncle knocked at
the very first door at ground level; while they waited he

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