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man, “a very long time.” “How many years has he been
representing you so far, then?” asked K. “I don’t know how
you mean,” said the businessman, “he’s been my business
lawyer I buy and sell cereals he’s been my business lawyer
since I took the business over, and that’s about twenty years
now, but perhaps you mean my own trial and he’s been rep-
resenting me in that since it started, and that’s been more
than five years. Yes, well over five years,” he then added,
pulling out an old briefcase, “I’ve got everything written
down; I can tell you the exact dates if you like. It’s so hard to
remember everything. Probably, my trial’s been going on
much longer than that, it started soon after the death of my
wife, and that’s been more than five and a half years now.”
K. moved in closer to him. “So the lawyer takes on ordinary
legal business, does he?” he asked. This combination of
criminal and commercial business seemed surprisingly re-
assuring for K. “Oh yes,” said the businessman, and then he
whispered, “They even say he’s more efficient in jurispru-
dence than he is in other matters.” But then he seemed to
regret saying this, and he laid a hand on K.’s shoulder and
said, “Please don’t betray me to him, will you.” K. patted his
thigh to reassure him and said, “No, I don’t betray people.”
“He can be so vindictive, you see,” said the businessman.
“I’m sure he won’t do anything against such a faithful client
as you,” said K. “Oh, he might do,” said the businessman,
“when he gets cross it doesn’t matter who it is, and anyway,
I’m not really faithful to him.” “How’s that then?” asked K.
“I’m not sure I should tell you about it,” said the business-
man hesitantly. “I think it’ll be alright,” said K. “Well then,”

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