Page 32 - the-trial

tour around the room. At the mat where the photographs
were she stopped. “Look at this!” she cried. “My photo-
graphs really have been put in the wrong places. Oh, that’s
horrible. Someone really has been in my room without per-
mission.” K. nodded, and quietly cursed Kaminer who
worked at his bank and who was always active doing things
that had neither use nor purpose. “It is odd,” said Miss
Burstner, “that I’m forced to forbid you to do something
that you ought to have forbidden yourself to do, namely to
come into my room when I’m not here.” “But I did explain
to you,” said K., and went over to join her by the photo-
graphs, “that it wasn’t me who interfered with your
photographs; but as you don’t believe me I’ll have to admit
that the investigating committee brought along three bank
employees with them, one of them must have touched your
photographs and as soon as I get the chance I’ll ask to have
him dismissed from the bank. Yes, there was an investigat-
ing committee here,” added K., as the young lady was
looking at him enquiringly. “Because of you?” she asked.
“Yes,” answered K. “No!” the lady cried with a laugh. “Yes,
they were,” said K., “you believe that I’m innocent then, do
you?” “Well now, innocent … “ said the lady, “I don’t want
to start making any pronouncements that might have seri-
ous consequences, I don’t really know you after all, it means
they’re dealing with a serious criminal if they send an in-
vestigating committee straight out to get him. But you’re
not in custody now at least I take it you’ve not escaped from
prison considering that you seem quite calm so you can’t
have committed any crime of that sort.” “Yes,” said K., “but

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