THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 Kenneth Macgowan
 
 TAPS 
 
 BY 
 
 FRANZ ADAM BEYERLEIN 
 
 Translated from the German 
 by Charles Swickard 
 
 JOHN W. LUCE & COMPANY 
 BOSTON, MASS.
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1915 
 BY L. E. BASSETT
 
 TT 
 
 13 )^ 
 
 THE PUBLISHERS' NOTE 
 
 " Zapfenstreich," the anti-military play 
 of Franz Adam Beyerlein is published 
 in the following pages under the equiva- 
 lent English title of " Taps." 
 
 While recognized as a powerful ar- 
 raignment of the continental military 
 caste in general, and the impassable 
 social barrier existing between commis- 
 sioned and non-commissioned officers in 
 particular, the play itself as a dramatic 
 composition has won universal apprecia- 
 tion and in the character of the old Ser- 
 geant Major has contributed to dramatic 
 literature a portrait so genuine and vivid 
 as to be unforgetable. 
 
 As a contemporary of Lieutenant Bilse's 
 " Life in a Small Garrison " and Otto 
 Erich Hartlebens' well-known " Rosen- 
 montag," ' Taps " was produced in 
 Austria and Germany in 1901. The 
 author although an Austrian and a 
 radical as well as an anti-militarist, 
 
 572315
 
 THE PUBLISHERS' NOTE 
 
 with due regard for his personal con- 
 venience if not safety, laid his scene in 
 German territory and selected for his 
 study a squadron of the 25th Uhlans 
 stationed in Alsace, not far from the 
 border and the great French fortress of 
 Belfourt. 
 
 The production of the play created 
 an instantaneous uproar among mili- 
 tarists and officials and was speedily 
 followed by an order emanating from 
 the German Kaiser forbidding officers 
 and soldiers from attending its perform- 
 ance in uniform. 
 
 Nevertheless the public at large 
 flocked to the play and a little later it 
 was produced in Paris where it ran one 
 hundred performances and in London 
 one hundred and ten nights. In New 
 York at the Irving Place Theatre, under 
 the original title and, of course, played 
 in German, it continued a prosperous 
 engagement of eight weeks. 
 
 Somewhat later under the direction of 
 Mr. Charles Swickard, the translator 
 of this and others of the more important
 
 THE PUBLISHERS' NOTE 
 
 German dramas, the English version 
 was produced in New York, but ran 
 with only indifferent success for four 
 weeks. 
 
 At that time neither German social 
 conditions, nor the broader aspects of 
 militarism were of particular interest to 
 the public, and a play, recognized by all 
 critics as of the first class, was neglected 
 on the ground of being a bit of special 
 pleading relating to a subject of no 
 appreciable interest except to continental 
 Europe. 
 
 Recent events have changed such an 
 attitude of indifference to one of keen 
 interest, and in this play, a merciless 
 arraignment of the conditions, anoma- 
 lies and abuses of caste prevalent in the 
 German army, is to be found, aside from 
 an intensely dramatic recital, the picture 
 of a phase inherent in the army life of 
 whatsoever country maintains a military 
 establishment.
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONAE 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ Captain 
 
 VON HOEVEN Lieutenant 
 
 VON LAUFFEN Lieutenant 
 
 VOLKHARDT Sergeant Major 
 
 QUEISS Sergeant 
 
 HELBIG Sergeant 
 
 MICHALEK Private 
 
 SPIESS Private 
 
 Of the Third Squadron, of the Twenty-Fifth Uhlan 
 Regiment (known as The Magdeburgers.) 
 
 CLARA VOLKHARDT. 
 
 MAJOR PASCHKE, of the Alsatian Heavy Artillery No. 
 
 19. 
 CAPTAIN COUNT VON LEHDENBURG, of the Cuirassier 
 
 Regiment No. 10. 
 PREMIER LIEUTENANT HAGEMEISTER, of the Infantry 
 
 Regiment No. 186. 
 
 First Councillor of the Court Martial (president). 
 Second Councillor of the Court Martial (associate). 
 Third Councillor of the Court Martial (prosecutor). 
 Recording Sergeant. 
 Assistant Regimental Surgeon. 
 Orderly of the Court Martial, a number of Uhlans. 
 
 Time: About 1900. 
 
 Place: Sennheim, a small garrison town near the 
 French border in Alsace-Lorraine, in the direction 
 of Belfort.
 
 TAPS 
 
 ACT I 
 
 Scene: Office of the Sergeant Major. Gray- 
 tinted, whitewashed walls and sparsely 
 furnished. On the left, a window with 
 striped roller shade. In the center an or- 
 dinary door painted brown. In front of the 
 window, a fair-sized table with writing 
 material, etc., and a chair. Similar table 
 and chair on the opposite side of the room. 
 To the left of the door, a hat rack fastened 
 on wall. Next to that is a small cabinet for 
 books and papers and in the corner, an 
 iron-bound chest. On the other side of the 
 door, a small table with a stool shoved under 
 same. In the corner, an iron washstand 
 with a towel above it. On the inside of the 
 door hangs the daily inventory list. Hanging 
 on the rack are: the helmet, the bandolier, 
 belt and saber of the Sergeant Major. His 
 cap on the table. 
 
 It is near noon and bright sunshine without. 
 i
 
 2 TAPS ACT i 
 
 At curtain: 
 
 CAPTAIN VON BANNEWITZ [leaning against the 
 table and glancing over an official list. He 
 is in fatigue uniform, with the lapels of his 
 coat buttoned back, bandolier, field tie, but 
 with cap. The uniform is not too new, 
 fairly covered with dust, for he has just 
 come off duty. He carries a crop and is 
 smoking a cigarette. Almost to himself]: 
 
 Hm yes ! I presume we can let it 
 go at that. Only ! [lowers list] Sergeant 
 Major! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [has been writing diligently at 
 opposite table: rises with military snap and 
 comes to attention]: At your service, 
 Captain! 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ [resignedly] : Sergeant Major, 
 if you knew how nervous you made me 
 with your frightful exactness to the pre- 
 scribed forms Lord knows, Volkhardt, 
 you'd stop it. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Captain. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ: Yes, yes! "At my service" 
 
 but you do as you like. [Threatens him 
 jestingly with crop.] If you're not careful, 
 I'll soil your lily-white record with a 
 three-day arrest for continued disobedi- 
 ence of your Captain's orders. But what 
 I meant to say ! In distributing the
 
 ACT i TAPS 3 
 
 remounts for the fall manceuvers you 
 assigned Caroline to Lieut, von Lauffen. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Your pardon, Captain! As the 
 Lieutenant is to command the third squad, 
 I thought it best. You know Diana is 
 a pretty high-spirited animal, and 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ: And therefore just the 
 mount for von Lauffen. He can surely 
 manage her, can't he? 
 
 VOLKHARDT [beaming] : He certainly can, sir, 
 if anyone! 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ: Well? And? 
 
 VOLKHARDT : With your permission, Captain ! 
 I wouldn't take a chance in the front 
 rank with that nag, if only on account of 
 the impression a bad break would make 
 on the men. I tell you, sir, just about now 
 that mare is liable to do most anything, 
 when you least expect it. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ i Volkhardt, you are fibbing. 
 I appreciate your desire to shield your 
 lieutenant. At Vionville in 1870 his father, 
 the old excellency, cut you out of a body 
 of French cuirassiers and now the son is 
 not going to break his neck if you can 
 prevent it! A splendid spirit, Volkhardt, 
 but I think your fears are groundless. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Captain. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ: And you may assign Diana 
 to the Lieutenant tomorrow.
 
 4 TAPS ACT i 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Captain. 
 
 VON BANNEWTTZ: And one thing more. 
 [Points to list.] You have assigned Der- 
 flinger to yourself. My dear Volkhardt! 
 I wouldn't ride that atrocious beast my- 
 self. Think of yourself a little, Volkhardt. 
 You are fifty now, thirty-three years of 
 which you've spent in the service. You 
 are entitled to some consideration. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Your pardon, Captain. If you 
 mean that I am getting too old for the 
 service, I would rather you'd tell me so 
 outright. It'll be pretty hard to leave the 
 old regiment. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ [thoughtfully striking his 
 boot with crop, then looking up sharply]: 
 Volkhardt! I believe this is the first 
 time, since I have taken command of 
 this troop, that you have given me cause 
 to censure you. You surely know how 
 you are appreciated by your superiors, 
 from the Commandant down to the 
 youngest lieutenant! 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Captain! 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ : Then let's say no more 
 about it. And to me you should have 
 said this least of all. In ten years one 
 learns to value not only the Sergeant 
 Major, but to appreciate and honor the 
 man. If the Lord wills, I shall soon obtain
 
 ACT i TAPS 5 
 
 my majority, and who knows where I'll 
 be sent. Now whether you believe me or 
 not, I shall never forget you, my dear 
 Volkhardt. You shall always live in my 
 memory as the model of a trustworthy, 
 Prussian non-commissioned officer. [Shakes 
 his hand.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT [touched his voice betraying 
 his emotion}: My most respectful thanks, 
 Captain and I ask your pardon! I 
 suppose I shouldn't have said it and 
 yet, some of these days I'll have to quit 
 the service. I can't help it, but I dread 
 to think of that time. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ: Yes, yes, Volkhardt, I 
 understand you perfectly. I dare say if 
 your boy were living today you wouldn't 
 find it quite so hard. No doubt he would 
 have made as splendid a non-commissioned 
 officer as his father. It's a pity he died so 
 young. 
 
 VOLKHARDT \gruffly}: No, Captain! 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ: No? Oh, well! Perhaps 
 not! But that doesn't sound very nice 
 coming from you. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Your pardon, Captain, but I 
 believe it was a good thing the misfortune 
 came at the time it did. Now I can re- 
 member the boy at least as a half decent 
 sort. Had he lived ! I'm afraid he
 
 6 TAPS ACT i 
 
 would have come to a bad end. That he 
 drank and was a devil after the women 
 well, he might have gotten over that in 
 time, but his mania for gambling and 
 well, Captain, with your permission, he 
 is better off where he is. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ: At any rate it would 
 have made it easier for you when the time 
 comes to lay aside your beloved uniform. 
 [Puts on his gloves and starts to leave.] Now 
 you will have to content yourself with 
 Miss Clara alone. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [beaming] : At your service, 
 Captain! That girl should have been a 
 boy. There's no nonsense there. You can 
 depend on her! 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ [more animated than usual}: 
 Sergeant Major, your daughter is a jewel. 
 Lucky man indeed who gets her for a wife. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Captain - 
 and while we're on the subject, could 
 Sergeant Helbig obtain the marriage con- 
 sent? That is, of course, if it came to 
 that. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ [hesitating] : Helbig? Let me 
 see! I don't think there's anything in his 
 record to prevent! So he is the lucky 
 man? Why, of course! You brought him 
 up yourself ! The young people have known 
 each other for a long time. He returned
 
 ACT i TAPS 7 
 
 today from the military riding academy 
 at Hanover, where he left an enviable 
 reputation behind him. He's a little awk- 
 ward, perhaps, but thorough very thor- 
 ough! And do you think he will be the 
 right sort of a companion for your 
 daughter? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: I think so, Captain! 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ: Well, I think the young 
 lady should be the best judge of that! 
 Only one thing you must promise me, 
 Volkhardt. Don't try to influence the 
 girl. She should have her own way in 
 such things. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [smiling]: Your pardon, Cap- 
 tain, but that's just the trouble with her. 
 She's a good and obedient girl, but I've 
 never been able to instill her with the 
 proper military subordination. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ : Thank goodness ! For after 
 all, Sergeant, the military regulations 
 were not intended for the whole world. 
 
 CLARA [enters quickly, then a trifle embar- 
 rassed]: Excuse me intruding, Captain! 
 I wanted to ask father something. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ [with finished gallantry, but 
 more that of the father, or the uncle toward 
 his niece]: Intrusion? Nonsense! I was 
 just about to go and may I offer 
 you this modest flower? [Takes a wild
 
 8 TAPS ACT i 
 
 rose from his buttonhole and gives it to her.] 
 It came from French soil, and, who knows, 
 may even become the innocent cause of 
 another sanguinary conflict. 
 
 CLARA: Oh, Captain, let's hope not! [Fastens 
 the rose on her bosom.] You must have 
 taken quite a ride this morning. 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ: As far as the border. Our 
 friends the Dragoons de Giromagny were 
 up and astir as early as ourselves. I 
 picked the rose from the foreign bush and 
 called to the French Captain: Pour mon 
 amour! Saluting, he answered: Bien des 
 choses de ma part! You see, Miss Clara, 
 even the French Captain lays his heart 
 at your feet. 
 
 CLARA: Now, Captain, you can't make me 
 believe that. But isn't the rose beautiful! 
 I thank you, Captain ! 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ : But I must be going. Good 
 morning, Miss Clara [slight bow]. Morn- 
 ing, Sergeant! 
 
 CLARA AND VOLKHARDT: Good morning, 
 Captain ! 
 
 VON BANNEWITZ : Morning! [Exit.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT [scolding good-naturedly]: Don- 
 nerwetter, Clara! How often must I tell 
 you not to burst in here in that manner? 
 Now be quick. Say what you've got to 
 say and then [whistles and points to door].
 
 ACT i TAPS 9 
 
 CLARA: In a minute! Well, dad, an orderly 
 from the non-com's mess wants to know, 
 if the keg, that you you, dad have 
 ordered for tonight, is to be Colmar lager 
 or real Munchener ! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [has straightened up. After a 
 slight pause]: Munchener! [Continues to 
 write.] 
 
 CLARA: Donnerwetter! [Smacks her lips.] I 
 tell you, the Magdeburger Uhlans! Eh, 
 dad? What's going on, dad? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Curiosity! [Points to the door.] 
 
 CLARA: Dad! 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Will you quit bothering me? 
 I have work to do here. 
 
 CLARA: A secret, eh? If you'll let me in on 
 it you may write all evening. [Drops on 
 a chair.] Well, daddy? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Well a new arrival! 
 
 CLARA: In whose honor you are treating a 
 whole keg of Munchener. I can't imagine 
 who that can be. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Or rather, some one has re- 
 turned. 
 
 CLARA [thinks a moment, then shakes her 
 head]. 
 
 VOLKHARDT : From Hanover from the 
 military riding academy. 
 
 CLARA [thoughtful for a moment then sud- 
 denly pales. All jollity has left her]: Otto?
 
 10 TAPS ACT i 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Well? Clara! What's the 
 matter with you? Aren't you glad? 
 
 CLARA: Why, daddy of course. Only- 
 I never thought of that ! Never ! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [scratching his head]: Clara! 
 Come here to me. [Pulls her on his knee.] 
 There, dear. And now look me in the 
 eye. [With suppressed anger as Clara lowers 
 her glances.] Damme, girl, you surely 
 can look your old father in the eye! Do 
 you hear me? Clara? Or have you got 
 something on your conscience? [Reluc- 
 tantly she forces herself to look into his 
 eyes.] There! I knew it. What could you 
 have to hide from your old daddy? But 
 I want to know what's the matter with 
 you lately. Something's wrong. One 
 minute you sing and are as happy as a 
 lark, and without any apparent reason - 
 and then the next you hang your head 
 like a distempered horse also without 
 any reason. I tell you frankly I don't 
 like that. Here I imagine it's going to be 
 a happy surprise when I tell you of Otto's 
 return ! Instead of that you 
 
 CLARA [has risen a trifle stubbornly] : I 
 don't know what you want, father. Of 
 course I'm glad Otto has returned, but 
 you can't expect me to well [shrugs 
 her shoulders].
 
 ACT I TAPS 11 
 
 VOLKHARDT: But I thought you two under- 
 stood each other perfectly? 
 
 CLARA: Who said so? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Zum donnerwetter! The devil 
 knows how to take you women. I've got 
 a pair of eyes in my head, haven't I? 
 Now don't stand there like a balky horse! 
 Haven't you got a tongue in your head? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [enters briskly] : Sergeant Major 
 Volkhardt! The Captain wants to see you 
 about the last forage bills. The last 
 delivery seems to be short five bales of hay. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [busily] i At your service, Lieu- 
 tenant. [Looks on table.] Let's see. Yes, 
 here they are [as he finds them]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Good morning, Miss Clara! 
 
 CLARA: Good morning, Lieutenant. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [to Volkhardt, who is at the 
 door by this time]: You will find the 
 Captain in the remount stables. 
 
 VOLKHARDT' At your service, Lieutenant! 
 [Exit.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [kissing Clara] : Morning, mouse ! 
 
 CLARA : Good morning, dear. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Just out of bed, I suppose. 
 
 CLARA: Not a bit of it. I was up as early as 
 you. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Really? You? Nonsense. 
 You were fast asleep. 
 
 CLARA: Could any one sleep when a whole
 
 12 TAPS ACT I 
 
 regiment of heavy cavalry on field duty 
 passes your window? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: At three-thirty A.M. It's an 
 outrage. It's surely no fun, serving in a 
 frontier corps. No indeed. Ton my word. 
 
 CLARA: And I saw you yawning, too. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: That was almost human 
 under the circumstances, wasn't it? 
 
 CLARA: And then you boxed Michalek's ear. 
 That's cruelty to soldiers. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: I plead guilty again. Think 
 of it! Because I had run out of cognac 
 he filled my canteen with bay rum. 
 
 CLARA: The stupid. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: And you [softly draw- 
 ing her to him] you crawled back into your 
 soft, white, little bed? [Startled, pushes 
 her away, as he hears some one approaching. 
 Heavy, martial footsteps, clanking spurs]. 
 
 QUEISS [enters, comes to attention bruskly. 
 Notices Clara with slight astonishment]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [sharply] : What is it, Queiss? 
 
 QUEISS: Your pardon, Lieutenant. The Cap- 
 tain wishes to see the Sergeant Major in 
 regard to the last forage delivery. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: I've already told the Ser- 
 geant Major. He should be there by this 
 time. 
 
 QUEISS: At your service, Lieutenant. [Clicks 
 his heels together; with a sharp turn exits.]
 
 ACT i TAPS 13 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Disagreeable fellow, this 
 Queiss. 
 
 CLARA : I don't know. He has never done me 
 any harm, but somehow I'm afraid of him. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Of him? Nonsense! [As she 
 looks at him surprised kindly] : Don't be 
 foolish, sweetheart. Why should you? 
 He's a detestable sneak, that's all. A sort 
 of a conspirator. One of these socialistic 
 agitators disguised in the honorable uni- 
 form of the Uhlans. Nothing frank or 
 open about him. He reminds me of ! 
 At any rate, I can't bear the fellow. 
 
 CLARA [timidly]: I wonder if he saw any- 
 thing at that time? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [a trifle disturbed]'. When? 
 
 CLARA: You remember! The time I left 
 you. He was just returning from stable 
 revision and it was already dawning. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Nonsense, girl. It was your 
 imagination. He didn't see anything. You 
 see specters, my dear; specters, upon my 
 word. 
 
 CLARA: I only hope you're right. Yet I 
 can't help feeling as I do. But I must get 
 back now. Good morning, Kurt. [Would 
 go to door.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [holds and kisses her]: Wait a 
 moment. A kiss in the company quarters! 
 That's surely something new.
 
 14 TAPS ACT i 
 
 CLARA: Dearest. [Returns the kiss.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [softly] : Tell me, sweetheart, 
 when are you coining to see me again? 
 Tonight? After Taps has sounded? Come, 
 promise me ! 
 
 CLARA: But, Kurt dear 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Come now, give me your 
 promise. That's a good girl ! 
 
 CLARA: But it can't be done. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Why not? 
 
 CLARA [deliberating]: The non-commissioned 
 officers have a little affair at their mess 
 tonight. Father'll be there [after a mo- 
 ment's hesitation throws herself on his breast]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Then you'll come? [She nods 
 as she releases herself.] And the signal 
 as usual the green shade over my 
 lamp? 
 
 CLARA [nods and would go to the door. Lauffen 
 is still holding her hand]. 
 
 HELBIG [enters. In full dress uniform. He is 
 surprised to find Clara here. As he sees 
 Lauffen he comes to attention and announces] : 
 Respectfully report the return of Sergeant 
 Helbig from the military riding academy 
 of Hanover. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [superior, though slightly em- 
 barrassed] : 'Tis well, Helbig. Hm ! 
 Yes! Well, and how did you like Han- 
 over? Jolly old burg, isn't it?
 
 ACT i TAPS 15 
 
 HELBIG: At your service, Lieutenant! It's 
 a fine city [his eyes are seeking Clara], 
 but I think it's much nicer here at home 
 with our own regiment. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: What? Here in Sennheim? 
 But, every man to his taste [dismissing 
 him]: 'Tis well, Helbig. Oh ! Perhaps 
 you wanted to wait for the Sergeant Major 
 here? 
 
 HELBIG: At your service, Lieutenant. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Then I presume, Miss Clara, 
 we may as well go. [Turns to her as if 
 to let her go out first.] 
 
 CLARA [after slight hesitation] : No thank you, 
 Lieutenant. I haven't seen my foster 
 brother for two years, and 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Your foster brother? 
 
 CLARA: Yes! Sergeant Helbig [reluctantly 
 giving Helbig her hand]. How do you do, 
 Otto! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [biting his lip]: Of course! I 
 had forgotten entirely. Volkhardt was 
 your guardian? 
 
 HELBIG: At your service, Lieutenant. I have 
 been with him since my twelfth year. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Yes, yes. I remember now. 
 Then I will no longer disturb you. Morn- 
 ing! [Exits with a slight bow to Clara.] 
 
 HELBIG [has come to attention and opened the 
 door closes it after Lieutenant. Now hap-
 
 16 TAPS ACT i 
 
 pily seeks Clarets hand]: Donnerwetter, 
 
 Clara! This is a surprise! Eh, what? 
 
 You hadn't the slightest idea I was coming. 
 
 I made father promise not to say a word. 
 
 It was to be a surprise like a flank attack 
 
 on the enemy. And didn't I succeed? 
 
 Eh, what? 
 CLARA [with a weak attempt to assume his 
 
 tone]: Yes indeed, Otto. However, father 
 
 did tell me you were coming just a few 
 
 moments ago 
 HELBIG [blundering] : So he couldn't keep his 
 
 mouth shut after all. 
 CLARA, [trying to get away] : But have you seen 
 
 him yet? I will call him. 
 HELBIG: Nevermind, Clara; stay here! He's 
 
 with the Captain in the remount stables. 
 
 I nodded to him as I came by. He'll soon 
 
 be here. 
 CLARA: But I must go anyway! A canteen 
 
 orderly has been waiting for half an hour 
 
 for an answer from me 
 HELBIG: Oh, let him wait! 
 CLARA: No, no! [Would go.] 
 HELBIG [reaches the door first and stops her 
 
 with outstretched arms]: Halt! Attention! 
 
 No one can pass this way! 
 CLARA [annoyed] : Otto, stop your nonsense! 
 HELBIG: Nonsense? That's the custom of 
 
 war. Clara [approaches her sincerely].
 
 ACT i TAPS 17 
 
 Won't you give me a real welcome home 
 now? I've been away for two long years 
 
 CLARA : Well I've already shaken hands 
 with you, haven't I? 
 
 HELBIG: Oh yes! I see! I'll have to take 
 my kiss by force! [Clumsily tries to em- 
 brace and kiss her.] 
 
 CLARA [preventing him fiercely]: Don't do 
 that! I won't have it! 
 
 HELBIG [steps back, startled]: Well then, 
 don't! I can't say you are very nice to 
 me after my long absence ! 
 
 CLARA [shrugs her shoulders and goes to the 
 door]. 
 
 HELBIG [pleading]: What have you got 
 against me, all of a sudden? We always 
 got along well together! Why are you now 
 so so ugly towards me? 
 
 CLARA: Good heavens, Otto, I don't mean 
 to be ugly towards you certainly not! 
 But you must come to realize that the 
 foolishness of the old days can't go on 
 forever. 
 
 HELBIG: Foolishness? So that's what you 
 call it now? [Plaintively] Clara! All the 
 two long years I've been away in Hanover 
 I never once ceased to think of this, what 
 you call " foolishness." And I can tell 
 you the service and the duties there are 
 not the easiest in the world. For the first
 
 18 TAPS ACT i 
 
 few weeks I didn't know whether every 
 bone in my body was really broken, or 
 whether it was just imagination. And the 
 officers and instructors ? A fellow has 
 to hold his temper till all is learned. 
 That's the time he thinks of his home! 
 And then, when things became easier and 
 my time neared the end, I thought of 
 home and you more than ever! How 
 nice and kind you had always been to me, 
 and and what you just now call foolish- 
 ness 
 
 CLARA: Why Otto, dear, I really am glad 
 that you are home again 
 
 HELBIG: Now you are lying, Clara; I can 
 see it in your face. You needn't try to 
 pretend: I can catch the drift of your 
 argument all right. [Softer] Tell me, at 
 least, why you don't want me any more ! 
 
 CLARA: Why Otto, I don't know what you 
 mean. 
 
 HELBIG [roughly]: Oh, hell! Don't try to 
 fool me. [Persuasive again] See here, 
 Clara! All the way, on my long trip home, 
 from early yesterday morning throughout 
 the whole night I thought of nothing but 
 you, and how delighted you'd be at my 
 sudden appearance. If she wept like a 
 child when I left, said I to myself, she'll 
 just throw her arms around me and
 
 ACT i TAPS 19 
 
 and this is what I get. And Clara, you 
 must have a reason for it all. You used 
 to think nothing of giving me a kiss 
 
 CLARA: That's when we were supposed to 
 be sweethearts. 
 
 HELBIG [flaring up] : So that's at an end too, 
 is it? Now I know at least where I stand. 
 
 CLARA : If you'd only be reasonable 
 
 HELBIG: Oh, damn it, shut your m ! 
 Don't try to hoodwink me. 
 
 CLARA [startled at the curse now with 
 dignity]: Do you think swearing at me is 
 going to help matters? 
 
 HELBIG: I see! You've gotten to be a fine 
 lady now, and it offends your aristocratic 
 ears. Damn it! Then of course I'm no 
 longer a fit companion for the likes of you. 
 Yes when a Captain is dancing attend- 
 ance to her and presents her with flowers 
 [as she looks up at him, surprised] Oh, 
 I'm not as big a fool as I look. When I 
 reported to the Captain a while ago he had 
 that rose in his buttonhole. To be sure, 
 what's a common Sergeant compared to a 
 noble Captain? The old baldhead, with 
 about as much hair on his head as a mangy 
 horse. 
 
 CLARA : Well don't ever let father hear 
 you rave like that, if you know what's 
 good for yourself. Your stay at Hanover
 
 20 TAPS ACT i 
 
 seems to have turned you into half an 
 anarchist. 
 
 HELBIG: Anarchist nothing. Though I've 
 learned to realize that an officer is just a 
 common mortal like ourselves, and not a 
 demigod. 
 
 CLARA: Well, who said he was? At any rate 
 it's immaterial to me what you think about 
 it. [Imploring] Only one thing I will 
 ask of you, Otto. Let's not make father's 
 lot heavier than it is already. He will have 
 to quit the service soon, and you know how 
 heavily that weighs on his heart. So we 
 shouldn't worry him with our little troubles 
 just now. You say you love me, Otto! 
 I I am awfully sorry I can't return 
 it! [As she sees he is hurt] That is, I 
 love you very much only not the same 
 as you love me not the same way, I 
 mean and and if you truly love me, 
 Otto, don't tell father about this, will you? 
 
 HELBIG: If you talk to me like that, then 
 I can't then you can do anything 
 ask anything you like. And father? Of 
 course I'll not worry him with it! What 
 good would that do me, since you don't 
 care for me any longer? And what I 
 said about the Captain a moment ago 
 I know it, it was contemptible. Yes, it 
 was. It was only my rotten temper, that's
 
 ACT i TAPS 21 
 
 all! Don't I know you've been his pet 
 since you were a little girl? [With slight 
 bitterness] That, at least, seems to have 
 remained as of old. 
 
 CLARA: Now you're talking sensibly! And 
 just to satisfy you, daddy stood here, and 
 the Captain there when he gave me this 
 flower. 
 
 HELBIG: There, I knew it and I was 
 only talking like a jealous fool. [Up and 
 down.] And it won't happen again, Clara. 
 But do you know if I were to be jealous 
 again it would be of Lieutenant von 
 Lauffen, rather than the Captain. 
 
 CLARA : I'd like to know 
 
 HELBIG : Why when I came in he didn't 
 seem to want to let go of your hand. I 
 saw it plain enough. 
 
 CLARA: He only meant it in fun. 
 
 HELBIG: Of course he did. But hasn't he 
 improved? Four years ago, when I gave 
 him his first instructions as a cadet, the 
 young cub seemed to sort of rebel against 
 taking his medicine. I woke the young 
 milksop up all right. And what a fine- 
 looking young fellow he has grown to be! 
 Eh, what? 
 
 CLARA [nervously]: Lord knows, Otto, this 
 military riding academy must be a dreadful 
 place. You've learned expressions there
 
 22 TAPS ACT i 
 
 why I never heard you speak so dis- 
 respectfully of your superior officers before. 
 
 HELBIG: Now, Clara, don't exaggerate. I 
 respect von Lauffen as much as any one, 
 and carry out my orders because it's got 
 to be done. But what you would call the 
 real, genuine respect, inwardly, I mean 
 Well, why should I? I obey because it's 
 my duty, but aside from being my superior, 
 he's a human being, with a fresh, youthful 
 face, a sprouting mustache er what 
 you would call a handsome young fellow. 
 
 CLARA: Just what I said before. You've 
 become a genuine, redheaded anarchist. 
 
 HELBIG: Nonsense! I've taken the oath to 
 the colors, and that settles it, as far as I 
 am concerned. 
 
 CLARA: But that you have selected Lieu- 
 tenant von Lauffen for your special criti- 
 cism is, to say the least, detestable. 
 
 HELBIG: How so? What do you mean? 
 
 CLARA: I should think you ought to know 
 what I mean! 
 
 HELBIG: You mean his father saved your 
 father's life in 1870! That's very good. 
 That was the old man. I don't see why 
 the boy - 
 
 CLARA [struggling with indignation]: Then 
 ask in the troop, or in the whole regiment, 
 what they think of him. The Colonel,
 
 ACT i TAPS 23 
 
 the Captain, my father and I myself. 
 
 We all think some day he'll be worthy of 
 
 his noble father. 
 HELBIG: Say you are certainly a fine 
 
 champion of the young Lieutenant. 
 CLARA: Not at all! But I won't have him 
 
 belittled or slandered by any one. 
 HELBIG [something seems to dawn on him]: 
 
 Clara you - 
 CLARA [quickly to the door]: I've got to go 
 
 now 
 
 HELBIG: Then it's Lauffen ? 
 CLARA [fiercely stamping her foot] : Don't 
 
 you mention that name again. Under- 
 stand? [Exits.] 
 HELBIG [taking a step or two as if to follow 
 
 her. Then rams his saber to the floor]: 
 
 You just wait! [Goes to stool, sits down and 
 
 buries his face in his hands.] 
 QUEISS [enters bruskly. He is about to come 
 
 to attention, when he recognizes Helbig. 
 
 Then he leisurely comes forward]. 
 HELBIG [has looked around, slowly rises and 
 
 meets Queiss half way}. 
 
 QUEISS: Once more, my boy, welcome home. 
 HELBIG [shakes his hand] : Thank you, Queiss ! 
 QUEISS: What's the matter with you? 
 HELBIG: Oh nothing. 
 QUEISS [shrugs his shoulders walks away, 
 
 whistling the signal "quickstep march."
 
 24 TAPS ACT i 
 
 After a pause]: Waiting for the Sergeant 
 
 Major? 
 
 HELBIG: Yes! And you? 
 QUEISS : Yep ! [Pause now whistles signal 
 
 "gallop march."] Well, boy, how did you 
 
 like Hanover? 
 HELBIG: Oh, pretty fair. 
 QUEISS: Is that all you've got to say to me? 
 
 That ain't much! Have you had a kick 
 
 in the mouth, that you've lost your speech? 
 HELBIG: Nonsense! 
 QUEISS: Nonsense, hell ! You weren't always 
 
 so close-mouthed. [Whistles signal "double 
 
 quickstep march. 1 "] We had assignment of 
 
 horses yesterday. For the manoeuvers I 
 
 gave you Dolores. 
 HELBIG [listlessly]: Yes? What sort of a nag 
 
 is she? 
 QUEISS [whistles through his teeth] : Whew ! A 
 
 beast! But I broke her temper, believe 
 
 me. You've learned to ride yourself now. 
 
 They know their business at the riding 
 
 academy, don't they? 
 HELBIG [nods]. 
 QUEISS: Damned if they don't. I guess you'll 
 
 be able to handle the old skate, all right. 
 
 [Like a rider driving his horse.] Hoop la! 
 
 Go! Keep your seat! Sit up straight! 
 
 Eh, boy? 
 HELBIG [a trifle boastfully]: Don't you worry
 
 ACT i TAPS 25 
 
 about me. At the academy we had a 
 halfbreed Arabian mare called Penthesilea 
 or Parsley, or something like that, who 
 threw them all. To come within ten feet 
 of her meant broken bones. 
 
 QUEISS: Damn it, that's the stuff for my 
 money. You find that spirit only with 
 horses. And you rode her? 
 
 HELBIG : I was to ride her 
 
 QUEISS: Oh, hell! 
 
 HELBIG: Well, I would have ridden her if 
 
 QUEISS: If what? 
 
 HELBIG: If she hadn't broken her neck. 
 Yes, and her rider's as well. It was 
 Captain Weinsperg. 
 
 QUEISS: Weinsperg? Of the Baden Dra- 
 goons? You don't say? A damned fine 
 fellow. He was already instructor at my 
 time. But I always said he would come 
 to that end. 
 
 HELBIG: Why so? 
 
 QUEISS: Hm! He spent all his spare time 
 with women! Creatures! And that weak- 
 ens, my boy ! Here and here and 
 here [points in succession to his wrists, 
 his thighs and the small of his back]. That 
 couldn't happen to me. [Close to him]: 
 My boy! There's yet time. Let her alone. 
 
 HELBIG: What do you mean? 
 
 QUEISS: Hell, man! Don't try to fool me.
 
 26 TAPS ACT i 
 
 Didn't I see that female glide out of that 
 
 door a moment ago, and now you are 
 
 hobbling around here like a spavined 
 
 mule. [Fiercely] I tell you, let her alone! 
 HELBIG: Queiss! You know something! 
 QUEISS: You bet I do, and when I hear the 
 
 swishing of skirts I look the other way. 
 
 Over here [looks aside] up there 
 
 [looks to ceiling], 
 HELBIG: Clara has been living here under 
 
 your very nose. You must know what 
 
 she's been up to these two years. 
 QUEISS: I ain't been running after her. 
 
 Don't know what she's been up to. 
 HELBIG: You all live here close together. 
 
 When one steps out of his door, you might 
 
 say, he is treading on someone else's heels. 
 
 And there are other women here too and 
 
 scandal mongers 
 QUEISS: I look the other way. Over here 
 
 up there ! 
 HELBIG: And the boys are fond of silly 
 
 rumors. You must have heard them talk. 
 
 You're not deaf. 
 QUEISS: When they commence their dirty 
 
 yarns about women I'm deaf, dumb and 
 
 blind. 
 HELBIG [sharply]: Then why do you say, 
 
 "Let her alone"? You must have some 
 
 reason to tell me to let Clara alone.
 
 ACT i TAPS 27 
 
 QUEISS: Clara? [Harsh laugh] Ha-ha-ha-ha! I 
 don't mean any particular one! Clara, 
 Gretchen, Lisbeth they all look alike 
 to me. Let her alone, I say ! 
 
 HELBIG: You're crazy, Queiss. You are 
 yourself a mother's son. 
 
 QUEISS: That's all right, but whether I'm 
 my father's son or not, that's a horse of 
 another color. See here, Helbig. I was a 
 young fellow like you once upon a time. 
 No! I had more spunk and push about 
 me. That was when I was with the 
 second Uhlans. Well I got married ! 
 [Sneeringly] Ha-ha-ha-ha! Such happiness! 
 And then one fine day, all of a sudden, 
 she was gone! [whistles] Girl, money, 
 everything gone. A fellow who was more 
 able to buy her silk skirts and hats and 
 ribbons and the rest of the devil's finery 
 had taken her away with him. Don't 
 know who it was! Didn't try to find out, 
 either. But inside of me here something 
 began to boil and broil like hatred, that 
 would destroy and smash everything. 
 And after a while, not only against women 
 in general, but also against those who've 
 got money. For he, who took her from 
 me, must have been one of these to have 
 been able to satisfy her damnable cravings 
 for rings and diamonds and silks and
 
 28 TAPS ACT i 
 
 satins. Then, my boy, for the first time 
 in my life I understood the sentiments 
 of those who would kill and annihilate all 
 those above them. The higher the better. 
 Then, when you think of your lost happi- 
 ness, your wrecked life a desire comes 
 over you to cut the whole world to pieces 
 [long pause]. 
 
 HELBIG [almost to himself]: Queiss! 
 
 QUEISS [takes a deep breath]: Ah at that 
 time, my boy at that time. But now 
 I feel contented! Do you want to know 
 why? 
 
 HELBIG [looks up at him]. 
 
 QUEISS: Come with me to the stables and 
 I'll show you Dolores. I tell you an 
 animal like that is far superior to any 
 human being. To hell with them all, 
 particularly the women. Now you take 
 a horse take its head between your 
 hands and the nose, I tell you it's 
 softer than any woman's arm. And how 
 beautiful and intelligent and obedient 
 they are. Of course you must go at them 
 in the right way. And those who are shy 
 at first and unwilling, they are the very 
 best. They have character. Come with 
 me to the stables. 
 
 HELBIG [half convinced] : Yes, I'll go. What 
 else can I do? Yes, yes, you are right.
 
 ACT i TAPS 29 
 
 [With renewed suspicion] But one thing 
 you must tell me, honor bright. Have 
 you noticed anything suspicious between 
 Clara and Lauffen? 
 
 QUEISS: Lauffen? No! Not that I remem- 
 ber. But why not? He's a Lieutenant, 
 an officer. That's bait, you know. And 
 then again it may have been one of the 
 boys. We've got some strapping fellows 
 in the troop now, I tell you. You know 
 the old saying: Love goes where it's sent 
 even if it falls on a dung heap. Take my 
 advice: Let her alone! 
 
 HELBIG: Then you know nothing really 
 nothing? 
 
 QUEISS: Not a thing, my boy. But wait! 
 A while ago I came here for the Sergeant 
 Major. I found them both together here. 
 
 HELBIG: Well, well? I mean, what were 
 they doing? 
 
 QUEISS: Hell, man! The company room is 
 hardly the place for ! She stood here, 
 and he there. Of course, with my boots 
 and spurs they could hear me from afar. 
 
 HELBIG [fretting] : So they were already here 
 at that time 
 
 QUEISS: May be just an accident. Let her 
 alone. To hell with women! Come along 
 with me, I'll show you Dolores. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [enters. Has heard the last words
 
 30 TAPS ACT i 
 
 of Queiss]: There's lots of time for that 
 later, Queiss. I want the boy to myself 
 for a little while. [Goes to Otto and shakes 
 him by the hand.] At last. Welcome 
 welcome home, Otto. 
 
 HELBIG: Thank you, father. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Have you reported all around? 
 
 HELBIG: Yes, father. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Colonel? Captain? Lieuten- 
 ant von Hoeven? Lieutenant von Lauffen? 
 
 HELBIG: I've made the rounds, father. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: That's right! Duty above all 
 else. [Sees Queiss.] Oh you wanted the 
 bill of lading for the Woillachs, Queiss! 
 [Finds it on table.] Here you are [gives 
 it to him]. 
 
 QUEISS: Thank you, Sergeant Major. [Goes 
 to door.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT: I'll send the boy out to you 
 during the noon feed. Then you can show 
 him Dolores. 
 
 QUEISS: Very well, Sergeant Major. [With 
 an encouraging glance at Otto exits.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Now then, Otto, come, let 
 me have a good look at you. You surely 
 have improved, my son. 
 
 HELBIG: Well, father, in two years 
 
 VOLKHARDT: And I needn't tell you how 
 glad I am you're back again. We'll be 
 the same happy family as of old [starts
 
 ACT i TAPS 31 
 
 putting papers away into drawers]. The 
 devil, boy. Come on say something 
 yourself ! Oh! Have you seen Clara? 
 
 HELBIG: Yes! I saw her and shook hands 
 with her here, a few moments ago. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: That's right. Lieutenant von 
 Lauffen had just called me to see the 
 Captain. Well, Otto! What do you think 
 of him? The Lieutenant, I mean! Isn't 
 he a joy to look at? He'll be like his 
 father some day. He'll make his mark, 
 I tell you. But to come back to Clara. 
 How did you find her? 
 
 HELBIG: Oh, I don't know. The same as 
 ever, I suppose. She was glad to see me 
 back, of course. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Of course she was. And she threw 
 her arms around your neck and well ? 
 
 HELBIG: Well not exactly that - 
 
 VOLKHARDT: It's all right, Otto. You needn't 
 try to keep it from me. I know you had 
 expected to find things different poor boy ! 
 
 HELBIG: Why, father, I don't know what 
 you mean ! Clara 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Silence in the ranks! There, 
 there I know ! But, Otto, my boy, 
 don't hang your head on that account. 
 
 HELBIG [still trying to deceive him]: Why, of 
 course not, father 
 
 VOLKHARDT [with a gesture of impatience]:
 
 32 TAPS ACT i 
 
 For you see there is really no reason for 
 it. Those are women's foibles. It'll all 
 pass away in time. For right down in her 
 heart Clara has remained the same little 
 girl as of old. [Partly to himself] Hang it 
 all, I ought to know my own child! I'll 
 answer for her every time. Only lately 
 my mind is I don't know I don't 
 seem to be able to think 
 
 [Signal for the noon feed is heard without.] 
 
 HELBIG: Fodder signal! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [has listened] : Yes 
 
 HELBIG [as Volkhardt is going to door]: You 
 are not going to mention this to Clara, are 
 you, father? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Certainly not, Otto. I'm not 
 a fool. I know her too well for that, 
 my boy. I know my own girl. 
 
 [Clatter of feet is heard without, of many men 
 rushing down the stairs.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Just watch me and see how 
 I'll teach these laggards to attend to duty. 
 [He opens the door with a jerk. A few 
 privates are seen passing. Others trying 
 to pass. Some with curry and brush. A 
 few with rations on plates slip by in the 
 opposite direction.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Donnerwetter, fellows, what 
 does this mean? Will you betake your- 
 selves to the stables at once? Younghans,
 
 ACT i TAPS 33 
 
 you lout. Halt! About face! March! 
 First the horse, and then the man. Ah! 
 Here comes our friend Michalek. 
 
 MICHALEK [appears in door with plate and 
 ration, masticating frantically] . 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Have you attended to your 
 horses? Your own and the Lieutenant's? 
 
 MICHALEK [with a mighty effort to swallow, 
 shakes his head would leave}. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Halt! About face! March! 
 
 MICHALEK [stops and swallows]: Isse diss 
 piece fine meat. Fet! Doo much fet! 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Will you look at the pig! [Imi- 
 tating him] Doo much fet! You glutton. 
 Quick! Take it over to your bunk and 
 then 
 
 MICHALEK: Danke, pan Sergeant Major. 
 [Quickly exits.] 
 
 [A few more trying to sneak by.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT [bellows at them]: Confounded 
 lot of shirkers. I'd hate to be your horse. 
 [Slams door, goes back to table, puts the 
 last papers into drawer, locks the chest.] 
 There's a troop for you. Now come along, 
 Otto. Hold up your head. I tell you 
 everything will come out right in the end. 
 
 HELBIG [following him to the door] : Let's hope 
 it will, father. 
 
 [Curtain]
 
 ACT II 
 
 Scene: Lieutenant von Lauffen's quarters in 
 the barracks. Walls whitewashed slightly 
 green tint. Center door leading out upon the 
 corridor. Door to the right leading into bed- 
 room. On the opposite side two windows with 
 striped roller shades, same as Act I. Faded 
 woolen portieres or hangings on same. Be- 
 tween the windows a gentleman's small dresser 
 with mirror. On same are the usual toilet 
 articles, brushes, bottle of bay rum, etc. In 
 front of the window a plain and not too large 
 fiat-top desk of oak and an office chair of the 
 same material. At the window a large and 
 comfortable wicker chair, with deep seat, and 
 well filled with pillows and cushions. On 
 wall left of center door a bookshelf, to the right 
 of center door a hat rack, in the corner a stove. 
 Next to the bedroom door the usual brown- 
 colored wardrobe. In the foreground, with its 
 head turned toward the right side of the room, 
 a divan. Within reaching distance of same, a 
 smoking table or stand. Pictures of military 
 and sporting subjects. Photographs and an 
 arrangement of saber, crop and riding whips, 
 
 34
 
 ACT ii TAPS 35 
 
 etc., tied with ribbons, with programs and 
 cotillion prizes as decorations. Upon the 
 desk is a lighted lamp with china shade 
 (white). The window shades are not drawn. 
 
 MICHALEK tin duck service jacket, is hastily 
 dusting the desk. No cap]. 
 
 SPIESS [with company order book in his hand 
 enters] : Here, you thick-headed Pollock, is 
 the company order book for your lieuten- 
 ant! 
 
 MICHALEK [with dignity]: Iss good! Lay 'em 
 down! On dable! 
 
 SPIESS [lays book on desk. In passing slaps 
 Michalek on head and goes to smoking stand; 
 attempts to pilfer a cigarette]. 
 
 MICHALEK [pounces on him like a hawk and 
 defends his master's property] : Iss you crazy, 
 Spiess? Kusch! Kusch! Has Lieutenant 
 count him every one! 
 
 SPIESS: You blockhead! He won't miss a 
 couple ! 
 
 MICHALEK: No! no! Has he count him every 
 one! 
 
 SPIESS [tries to take the cigarettes by force]: 
 You silly fool! Will you give me a few? 
 
 MICHALEK [pretending to hear some one com- 
 ing]: Quick! Comes Lieutenant! Kusch! 
 Kusch! 
 
 SPIESS [frightened, exits quickly]. 
 
 MICHALEK [deliberately goes to the smoking
 
 36 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 table and calmly appropriates several pack- 
 ages of cigarettes, hiding them in his blouse 
 with a grin, Lights one. Goes to dressing 
 table, smells of the different bottles, pours 
 some of the contents on his hand and puts on 
 his head ad lib. This must not be overdone. 
 He goes back to divan and lies down, com- 
 fortably blowing clouds of smoke in the air. 
 His face is turned away from the door]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [in the meantime has opened 
 the door and permitted von Hoeven to step 
 inside the room]. 
 
 MICHALEK [smoking violently, now waves back 
 with his hand]: Kusch! Kusch! Spiess! 
 Comes the Lieutenant! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [carefully tiptoes up to him and 
 strikes him a heavy blow with his crop]. 
 
 MICHALEK [jumps up terror stricken and comes 
 to attention]. 
 Iss Lieutenant here already? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [quietly] : The assurance of this 
 swine! Not only lounging on my divan, 
 but also smoking my cigarettes! [Calmly 
 takes the still smoking cigarette from Micha- 
 lek' s mouth and throws it on the floor.] 
 
 MICHALEK: Cigarette fall on floor! Michalek 
 think Lieutenant no smoke, cigarette fall 
 on dirty floor. Then Michalek smoke 
 cigarette. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: You pilfered it, you pig.
 
 ACT ii TAPS 37 
 
 That's the whole story ! [Gives him another 
 blow with crop and points to door.] Kusch! 
 Kusch! Allez! 
 
 MICHALEK [glides by him, picks up the ciga- 
 rette from the floor, and dodges to the door]. 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Halt, pan Michalek! First we 
 will have the soldier's prayer! Article of 
 War, number two! 
 
 MICHALEK [rattling it off] : De inviolable pres- 
 ervation of de oath to his colors iss de 
 first duty of de soldier 
 
 VON HOEVEN [after trying to interrupt him sev- 
 eral times]: Enough, enough! That will 
 do 
 
 MICHALEK [undisturbed]: Secondly de pro- 
 fession of de soldier 
 
 VON HOEVEN [raising his foot]: Will you get 
 out? 
 
 MICHALEK [exits quickly]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [from .the beginning of the scene 
 he is rather unsteady, but gradually regains 
 his self-composure] : Now, then ! What was 
 it you wanted, Hoeven? The sheets, Mass- 
 muenster and Sulzbach! From one to 
 twenty-five thousand! Wasn't it? 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Yes! My orderly will return 
 them in the morning. [Makes himself com- 
 fortable in the wicker chair.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [has searched in his drawer and 
 found the two sheets. Hands them to Hoeven] :
 
 38 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 There's no hurry about it! There! [Walks 
 restlessly about the room.] The old man got 
 after you today with a vengeance. He was 
 in a fine temper. For a moment I saw his 
 loving glances rest on me! I said to my- 
 self: Here comes my turn, when 
 [laughs]. 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Yes! It's a dog's life! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Lord knows! Twenty hours 
 for duty and four for sleep that will be 
 about the order of the day for the next two 
 weeks. [Reads in the daybook which Spiess 
 has brought in.] Twenty-five special orders 
 for tomorrow! The devil! Man was 
 surely born a slave to duty! [Throws the 
 book on the floor.] I am tired tired, 
 tired especially of this ! Upon my word ! 
 
 VON HOEVEN : It is to laugh ! Ha-ha-ha-ha ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Now seriously 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: It's a fact, upon - 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Upon your word! I know! But 
 when the alarm is sounded at three A.M. 
 you will be the first man on the ramparts, 
 and woe to the poor devil of your men who 
 is not at his post and as lively as a cricket! 
 And later, should one of our red-trousered 
 friends bob up across the border you will 
 straighten up defiantly in your saddle and 
 everything about you will tremble with the
 
 ACT ii TAPS 39 
 
 desire for the fray ! As if you would throw 
 yourself upon the hated foe! To the at- 
 tack! To the attack! Forward! Charge! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [carried away]: After all, that 
 is the object and purpose of the whole 
 thing! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: And it is because of this spirit 
 that I like you and have grown so fond of 
 
 you 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Hoeven, you natter me! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Not at all! Ah, bless you, my 
 boy, if I only had such a confoundedly 
 comfortable armchair in my den ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [walking about again]: But, 
 Hoeven, aren't you going to draw your 
 plans tonight? 
 
 VON HOEVEN: I intend to, before going to bed! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Well, don't you think it's 
 time to begin? 
 
 VON HOEVEN: It wouldn't be the first time 
 I've drilled all night! No, sonny, you are 
 not going to get rid of me as easily as all 
 that! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: That wasn't my object! 
 
 VON HOEVEN [jestingly making a deprecating 
 gesture} : Tut, tut ! However, I will promise 
 to arise from this almost criminally com- 
 fortable armchair and disappear if you 
 will frankly confess first of all that you 
 expect a lady !
 
 40 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [quickly embarrassed} : Non- 
 sense! Nothing of the sort! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Aha! I thought so! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: No! Upon my word 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Fortunately you still belong 
 to that category of young men who blush 
 when caught in a fib! You can trust me! 
 Who is she? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Really, Hoeven! You're on 
 the wrong track ! Fact ! Upon my word ! 
 
 VON HOEVEN [undisturbed] : Is it Francoise 
 Maillard, the beauty from Burgundy? Or 
 Mignon Laporte, who insists she is from 
 Paris, but who in reality is from Limburg 
 and the forgetful daughter of an honest 
 cheesemaker? The Gendarme has shown 
 me her birth certificate. Or is it the Munich 
 belle, Blonde Bertha from the Lionbrew? 
 In that case I have some time to stay, for 
 she tends bar till eleven! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [smilingly shakes his head]: 
 Don't trouble yourself, Hoeven! You 
 are entirely and absolutely on the wrong 
 track ! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: No I'm not! See here! When 
 we are at the club, either at billiards or 
 the more intellectual Skat, and out there 
 the first note of Taps is sounded, from that 
 moment your opponents have won! If I 
 am present, I confess it takes a positive
 
 ACT ii TAPS 41 
 
 effort on my part to play as carelessly as 
 yourself! For I refuse to win under such 
 conditions ! But I am convinced the sound 
 of Taps has to you a hidden meaning say 
 what you like! 
 
 VON LATJFFEN [with a nervous laugh] : Hoeven, 
 you're smoking a bad brand! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Well, it's one of your own! 
 Look here, Lauffen! Seriously! I want to 
 draw your attention to a peril, a danger 
 that's threatening you! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Concerning the service? Per- 
 haps a warning from the old man? 
 
 VON HOEVEN: On the contrary ! Nothing but 
 friendly advice, and I hope you will con- 
 sider it so. Look here ! Hm Hm ! 
 You are living here door to door with one 
 of the sweetest girls tramping I beg 
 pardon, I meant tripping within the 
 range of our military domain ! I mean the 
 daughter of our honest old Sergeant 
 Major old Volkhardt! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [leaning in dark niche of the win- 
 dow, as indifferent as possible] : Well? and? 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Well? and? That is the dan- 
 ger threatening you, Lauffen! I have seen 
 or heard nothing that would give me the 
 slightest reason for suspicion, but I con- 
 sider it my duty as your comrade to warn 
 you before it is too late!
 
 42 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: I assure you you have no 
 reason for your fears ! None at all ! Fact, 
 upon my word! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: That relieves me, I assure 
 you! In the first place she is too good a 
 girl to be trifled with, and then, the honor 
 of our faithful Sergeant Major must not 
 be soiled ! Right? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [after a short and uncertain 
 pause] : Why certainly of course ! 
 
 VON HOEVEN [remains silent for a while]: You 
 see, he who is condemned to exile in this 
 little burg either takes to drink or he 
 turns philosopher! Since I have no money 
 for wine, I have taken up my studious 
 abode in the cask the others have emptied. 
 Among other subjects I have been occupy- 
 ing myself with the psychology of the 
 Lieutenant the officer. By official edict 
 he receives the esteem and respect of the 
 world in general. You follow me? In 
 return he obligates himself to certain 
 duties and responsibilities which probably 
 are of little meaning to the civilian in 
 time of peace! Unfortunately! This honor 
 bestowed upon us entails the obligation to 
 refrain from all avoidable offense! Self- 
 restraint becomes to us a vital necessity, 
 particularly as regards our passions. We 
 must observe it for the sake of our pro-
 
 ACT ii TAPS 43 
 
 fessional honor, to avoid giving the yellow 
 journals the slightest opportunity for ill- 
 mannered jests and ridiculous prevarica- 
 tions. 
 
 VON LATJFFEN [forced] i Yes, yes ! You are right ! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: You understand me perfectly, 
 don't you, old man? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Certainly! Of course! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Good! That is what I wanted 
 to say to you ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [after a pause]: Thank you, 
 Hoeven ! [Hastily] But really you need 
 have no fears on that score. 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Good! Very good! I surely 
 am glad to hear it! [Arises lazily from 
 chair. In a lighter tone] And I regret 
 that that is all I have to say to you. [Sings] 
 So fare thee well, beloved chair [yawns]. 
 To think that I have got to sit up the rest 
 of the night ! [Shoves the two sheets with 
 which he has been toying up to now into the 
 cuff of his coat.} I almost envy you, Lauffen ! 
 [Goes to the smoking stand, takes a cigarette, 
 lights it on the lamp.] There is one thing 
 in which we are all alike! We pilfer your 
 cigarettes, Michalek as well as Ernest von 
 Hoeven! [At the door singing] "Sleep, 
 my baby, sleep; your father tends the -"! 
 What division did the old man say it was? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: The forty -first!
 
 44 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Right! So it was! The forty- 
 first! 'Night, Lauffen! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: 'Night, old man! 
 
 VON HOEVEN [from without]: 'Night! [Exits.] 
 
 [At this moment the melancholy sound of Taps 
 is heard in the distance.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [has remained at the door for a 
 moment. Taps sounded. During the follow- 
 ing scene he must exhibit a great internal 
 struggle. He goes back to the desk slowly 
 divesting himself of his coat and hanging it 
 in wardrobe on a hanger. He puts on his 
 itewka. All is done hesitatingly and spas- 
 modically. At last he picks up a green lamp- 
 shade from desk, contemplating it long and 
 intently. Finally, overcoming his reluc- 
 tance, he resolutely places same on the lamp. 
 Then quickly goes to the door and calls]: 
 Michalek ! 
 
 MICHALEK [from without]: Service, pan Lieu- 
 tenant ! [Appears center with riding boots and 
 blacking brush.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: You can go to bed now, 
 Michalek. But close your door, you lout! 
 The whole corridor smells of shoe polish! 
 
 MICHALEK: Service, Lieutenant! [Exit.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [closes the door and draws the 
 shades. Returns to center of room, waiting 
 nervously. Then goes to door again, opens 
 same, and listens].
 
 ACT ii TAPS 45 
 
 CLARA [a knitted black shawl around her 
 shoulders, flies into his arms]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Clara! [A very subdued excla- 
 mation. They embrace and kiss each other 
 repeatedly. He then leads her to the chair at 
 the desk, goes back to door and locks it.] 
 
 CLARA [sits down, catching her breath, lays off 
 her shawl, looks around, rises and picks up 
 the book from the floor] : Michalek is a sloven. 
 The Captain's order book on the floor! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [has gone to her]: Don't blame 
 it on Michalek. I threw it there myself. 
 
 CLARA: But why? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Why? Just cast your lovely 
 eyes on this. [Opens book for her inspec- 
 tion.] It's maddening! 
 
 CLARA [teasing]: What is? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [with pretended pouting]: The 
 inhuman amount of work a fellow is ex- 
 pected to do here. It's positively brutal. 
 
 CLARA [reading] : At seven A.M. continuation 
 of target practice ! [Shakes her head] Dear, 
 dear! It is hard, you poor abused boy. A 
 stone-breaker has it easier than you, poor 
 dear. He isn't pulled out of bed at two in 
 the morning! He can have his sleep out! 
 [Lays down book and picks up shawl in 
 jest.] You must go right to bed, and I 
 won't keep you up any longer. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [as she would go to the door he
 
 46 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 holds her] : No you don't! [He looks at her, 
 then both begin to laugh.] You little rascal! 
 [They kiss.] 
 
 CLARA [in his arms]: Darling! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [up and down several times, 
 silently looking at her] : Do you know, Clara, 
 that for quite some time I couldn't bring 
 myself to give the signal tonight? [Toys 
 with shade.] 
 
 CLARA [regards him with silent, questioning 
 glance.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [hesitatingly] : You see a 
 little while ago just as I was about to 
 place the shade on the lamp it occurred to 
 me You surely know how happy I am, 
 even at the sight of you but it sud- 
 denly occurred to me that we were doing 
 your father a grievous wrong 
 
 CLARA [hasn't taken her eyes from him]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Yes a serious and cruel 
 wrong! Fact, upon my word; for it is 
 hardly probable that he would counte- 
 nance these our little secrets I mean 
 and so it occurred to me it was about 
 time to give the future a little thought. 
 We can't go on forever like this, and 
 
 CLARA [cuts him short with a calm but decided 
 gesture. After a short pause]: And did it 
 occur to you today for the first time? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Well, dear no! Not ex-
 
 ACT ii TAPS 47 
 
 actly! I have thought of it a good many 
 times before perhaps, but you know I am 
 not given to fretting or worry, so I did my 
 best to forget it as quickly as possible. 
 But a little while ago I simply couldn't 
 shake it off. 
 
 CLARA [calmly and determined]: On the con- 
 trary I have busied myself with that sub- 
 ject so often that I have come to an under- 
 standing with myself long ago. [She seats 
 herself in the reed chair during Lauffen's 
 speech, now rests her hands on her knees 
 and speaks partly to herself.] I had to do it 
 from the very beginning. Lord knows 
 there was a time when my sole desire con- 
 sisted in pleasing my father and that alone, 
 until you came here. I fought and 
 struggled against my love for you, but all 
 in vain. Slowly and gradually it overcame 
 me, until every fiber within me seemed to 
 thrill with longing and desire for you 
 and all thoughts of evil or wrong were 
 stifled in my conscience. From that mo- 
 ment I considered my love for you as my 
 right my legitimate right, through which 
 alone I would find my happiness in 
 spite of all the world. Then it was 
 when I came to you [she has risen and 
 has gone to him]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [embracing her]: Darling!
 
 48 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 CLARA: Yes, dear! I knew what I was doing, 
 clearly and distinctly, and if I had not 
 been willing, you would still be asking for 
 your first kiss. But I felt that with you I 
 would find happiness; perhaps the only 
 happiness allotted to me in this world, and 
 no matter what the consequences, I 
 stretched out my hand and seized 
 
 VON LAUFFEN : Clara ! You ! I never 
 considered you capable of such ! It is 
 grand I might almost say noble! No, 
 girl ! I never would have believed it of you. 
 
 CLARA: How improvident you are! You, too, 
 surely have some thoughts of the future! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN : No, Clara dear. I am a fatal- 
 ist. In spite of all we do we drift and drift, 
 relentlessly driven by our fate. 
 
 CLARA: If I had only resisted you ! But 
 I presume you are right. We are blindly 
 driven by fate. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [something in her voice startles 
 him]: You mean? 
 
 CLARA: Well Otto! You know! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [shakes his head]. 
 
 CLARA: Sergeant Helbig, who returned to- 
 day from the riding academy, my foster 
 brother. I was promised to him in a way ! 
 Not openly, and yet it was considered all 
 settled. He has returned fully expecting 
 to marry me
 
 ACT ii TAPS 49 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: You marry a fellow like 
 that? Are you mad? I can't understand 
 how you permitted things to come to that 
 point. Upon my word. [Excitedly, up and 
 down.] I dare say the lout presumed to 
 take advantage of the fact 
 
 CLARA: You seem to forget that I have 
 something to say to that. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Fortunate for him. I would 
 have made him pay for it. 
 
 CLARA: You would do nothing of the sort. 
 But we must be careful of him. For 
 well! You can imagine how he feels 
 toward me now. And then you, too, have 
 aroused his suspicions! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [defiantly]: You don't tell me? 
 Perhaps he thinks I ought to fear him 
 now ! [Suddenly] The devil ! If he 
 should intimate anything to your father 
 
 CLARA: No, no! He promised to leave father 
 out of it and Otto always keeps his word. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [doubtingly] : Well I am not so 
 
 CLARA: Yes he will even if he is only a 
 non-commissioned officer. And now you 
 must promise me to avoid the slightest 
 chance of a rupture 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: I'll do nothing of the sort. 
 Put myself under obligation to a bumpkin 
 like him ! I might as well eliminate myself 
 entirely.
 
 50 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 CLARA: Don't misunderstand me. I only 
 meant for you to be on your guard. I 
 don't know I always feel as if he were 
 behind me watching and spying on me 
 [shyly glances at the door]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [unconsciously affected, does 
 the same]: You seem to be in a bad mood 
 to-night, dear. You see specters really, 
 upon my word. 
 
 CLARA [startled] : Listen ! Wasn't that 
 some one at the door? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [tiptoes to door and listens]: 
 Nonsense! 'Twas only the guard relief! 
 
 CLARA: Yes! I suppose so! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [has seated himself on divan and 
 drawn Clara, who stood in front of him, on 
 his knees]: Do you see? Now come! Be 
 sensible ! 
 
 CLARA [embraces and kisses him]: Yes, dear- 
 est! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Come! Cheer up! [Softly] 
 Who knows how soon this all has got to 
 come to an end? What's the matter, girl? 
 Don't be in the dumps! 
 
 CLARA [jumps up] : You're right ! What's the 
 use anyway? It can't help matters. You 
 see, Kurt, when I know you are here wait- 
 ing for me the time passes so slowly that 
 I am often tempted to turn the hands of 
 our cuckoo clock ahead. And when at last
 
 ACT ii TAPS 51 
 
 the trumpeter has sounded Taps, life really 
 seems to begin. All the worries and annoy- 
 ances of the day are at an end. I look ahead 
 to joy and happiness only to joy and 
 happiness. Then everything within me 
 drives me to you, and I must obey! Even 
 if my father were to step in my way and 
 say : " Girl, it means my life " I would - 
 I could not hesitate. [She has sunk on her 
 knees before him. He remains seated.] 
 Kurt! ! ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [a long kiss]: Clara! You 
 love me so much so dearly? 
 
 CLARA [nods with tears in her eyes] : I would 
 do anything for your sake! Everything in 
 the world I would give up for you that 
 you shall not suffer not suffer! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [shudders] : And why do you 
 love me so, Clara? 
 
 CLARA [rises and passes her hand across her 
 brow]: I don't know! I love you because 
 in you I see all that is grand and beautiful 
 in life to me. You see as long as I can 
 remember we have lived here about three 
 hours' march from the French line. Our 
 regiment will be the first to go if it ever 
 comes to war. Now everything seems 
 calm and peaceful around here, but wait 
 and see how quickly things change when 
 the time comes. Then you'd rather be here
 
 52 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 than anywhere else. Then there seems to 
 be something in the air as it as if we 
 were standing on a powder mine and the 
 match already lighted to set it off. And 
 the natives hereabouts have changed all of 
 a sudden. You'll hear no longer " Made- 
 moiselle Clara, Plait-il? En demi tasse?" 
 Their smiles have turned to furtive glances, 
 as if they really pitied us already! And 
 here in the fort there is a scurry and a 
 bustle! I remember one time, when the 
 saddles hung ready in the stables for a 
 whole week for a campaign yes, yes, 
 for real war. During the night the squad 
 commanders received the ammunition for 
 their men and up there [points] the dyna- 
 mite was piled up in heaps all ready 
 and waiting, until word came that the 
 danger was averted. Ah, Kurt, that was a 
 life that was excitement 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Yes, dear, and the next time 
 it will be the same thing all over again. 
 At the last alarm we were ready for the 
 field in twenty-seven minutes. 
 
 CLARA [whispering]: And you have com- 
 mand of the patrol that is to blow up the 
 railroad viaduct over yonder at Bas La 
 Chapelle. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: How did you learn that, 
 Clara? That is supposed to be strictly
 
 ACT ii TAPS 53 
 
 secret ! No one can know no one must 
 know or even suspect that we can reach the 
 place, or that the Red Mountain gorge is 
 passable to a cavalry patrol. 
 
 CLARA: You see when I read your name in 
 the mobilization lists I was determined to 
 learn your assignment, so I wormed it out 
 of father. Oh, I'll not betray you. 
 
 VONLAUFFEN: You're a darling girl. But you 
 can't imagine how proud I was when the 
 Colonel selected me for that task. Me 
 almost the youngest lieutenant in the regi- 
 ment. If I succeed in turning the trick 
 they are done for over there. We figure 
 at least a day and a half for repairs and 
 that's an eternity when it's a question of 
 minutes. And I will carry it out or 
 [whistles softly]. 
 
 CLARA: Whether or no it is all the same! 
 For from that ride you will never return 
 alive. [Has seated herself on the divan.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [thoughtfully] : They will never 
 permit me to escape, you mean? [Jollier] 
 And can you imagine a nobler death than 
 that? To die for your country? [Up and 
 down several times, meditating suddenly 
 stops in front of her and looks her in the 
 eyes pause kneels.] And have I not 
 already been the happiest man on earth? 
 Yes, Clara, I wish I long for such a death !
 
 54 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 CLARA, [bends over him and kisses him fer- 
 vently]: Kurt! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Would it not be best? 
 
 CLARA: Yes, 'twould be a beautiful death! 
 [Whispers] And I would know my way 
 then the way I would have to fol- 
 low ! [Long and fervent embrace.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Clara, how beautiful you are! 
 
 CLARA: Darling boy. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: And do you love me, dear? 
 [So/%] Do you? 
 [A timid knock at the door.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [startled]. 
 
 CLARA [sits motionless]. 
 
 [There's a knock at the door, a trifle louder 
 than the first.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [has risen and leads Clara noise- 
 lessly to bedroom door, the while motioning 
 with forefinger to his lips to be silent. After 
 Clara has disappeared in the bedroom he 
 calls]: Well! What is it? 
 [There's no answer, but the knock is repeated.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [goes resolutely to the door and 
 opens same. Helbig is seen in corridor 
 without ]: Helbig! What do you want 
 at this late hour? 
 
 HELBIG: Your pardon, Lieutenant! May I 
 ask you for a few moments' conversation? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: But this is no time nor place! 
 Tomorrow, Helbig!
 
 ACT ii TAPS 55 
 
 HELBIG: I humbly ask you, sir, only a few 
 
 moments ! 
 VON LAUFFEN [after a moment's hesitation]: 
 
 Very well ! Come in ! 
 HELBIG [enters and comes to attention]. 
 VON LAUFFEN [bruskly, but not roughly] : Now 
 
 what do you want? But be quick about it! 
 HELBIG [seems excited and apparently has 
 
 been drinking]: Your pardon, Lieutenant 
 j j 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Well? What in thunder, 
 man! Why don't you speak? 
 
 HELBIG: I I was formerly engaged to 
 the daughter of the Sergeant-Major Volk- 
 hardt to Miss Clara and and 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [by this time has entirely recov- 
 ered his composure]: Well, that is all very 
 nice, Helbig, but was it really necessary to 
 apprise me of that fact at this time of 
 night? Man, have you lost your senses 
 entirely? 
 
 HELBIG [roughly]: No, sir! Your pardon, 
 Lieutenant, that's not all! Today I re- 
 turned from the riding academy - 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [impatiently]: Well? Well? 
 
 HELBIG: And I I found my prospective 
 bride entirely changed. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Sergeant Helbig! Man! I 
 cannot understand what in the world I 
 have to do with all this ! Now try and be a
 
 56 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 sensible fellow and go back to your rooms. 
 You don't seem to know yourself what you 
 want! 
 
 HELBIG: You will pardon me, Lieutenant I 
 I humbly ask you, sir to forget for 
 once our difference in rank. If I may 
 say so, we are also human ! I have come to 
 you man to man and I pray you humbly 
 please do not bring disgrace on Clara 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [almost yelling] : Helbig ! 
 Have you gone stark mad? 
 
 HELBIG: No, Lieutenant von Lauffen! I ask 
 you to kindly remember that it can only 
 end in misfortune. And not for Clara 
 alone. You surely must consider her father. 
 The old Sergeant Major has honorably 
 served his country for thirty-three years 
 and I assure you it would kill him if Clara 
 should 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Helbig! Now I command you 
 to hold your tongue and leave this room. 
 
 HELBIG: But, Lieutenant, I ask nothing 
 wrong. I implore you humbly implore 
 you, Lieutenant and I am asking noth- 
 ing for myself. Only for Clara, sir Clara 
 and her old father! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [points to the door]: You heard 
 what I said! Leave this room at once! 
 
 HELBIG [stubbornly] : No! I won't! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: What?
 
 ACT ii TAPS 57 
 
 HELBIG [immediately changes back to humble 
 demeanor]: Yes, yes, I'll go at once, sir! 
 But first I must have the assurance from 
 your own lips that you have no affair with 
 Clara. I humbly ask you, sir, on your 
 word of honor 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Fellow, are you drunk? Get 
 out! 
 
 HELBIG [starts angrily but controls himself 
 once more]: I crave your pardon, sir! I ask 
 but little very little ! Only one word ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Sergeant Helbig, for the last 
 time I command you to leave this room. 
 
 HELBIG [straightens up with a jerk]: Now I 
 understand. I catch the drift of your argu- 
 ment. Clara is here! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [unconsciously turns and glances 
 at the bedroom door]. 
 
 HELBIG: She's not in her own rooms, that I 
 know, Lieutenant von Lauffen. There- 
 fore she must be here! [Points to the bed- 
 room door.] In there ! [Starts in that direc- 
 tion.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [seizes his saber, hanging on 
 back of chair and gets in his way] : Not an- 
 other step, fellow, or 
 [As Helbig insists on advancing toward the 
 bedroom von Lauffen draws his saber and 
 strikes Helbig over the head. Helbig has 
 thrown up his hand to guard himself
 
 58 TAPS ACT ii 
 
 staggers back. Then with a cry of rage he 
 rushes at von Lauffen, shoves him aside, and 
 throws open the bedroom door.] 
 
 HELBJG [after one glance into the bedroom, 
 laughs out discordantly]: Ha-ha-ha-ha- 
 ha-ha! [He slowly falls back dazed, holding 
 his hand to his forehead.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [rushes past him to center door 
 and calls hoarsely]: Michalek! ! 
 
 MICHALEK [from without, invisible]: Service, 
 pan Lieutenant! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN i Call the corporal of the guard . 
 
 MICHALEK [invisible]: Service, Lieutenant! 
 [Gradually retreating in the distance] Cor- 
 poral of the guard! Corporal of the 
 guard! . . . 
 
 QUEISS [after a short time appears in door. He 
 wears the bandolier of corporal in service 
 and reports]: Corporal of the guard, sir! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Is that you, Queiss? 
 
 QUEISS: Service, sir! As substitute f or - 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [interrupts him]: 'Tis well! I 
 want you to place Sergeant Helbig under 
 arrest! 
 
 QUEISS [throws a glance of startled surprise at 
 Helbig and hesitates amoment unconsciously]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN : For having violently attacked 
 me, his superior officer. 
 
 QUEISS: Service, sir! [Goes to Helbig and 
 takes him by the arm .] Come!
 
 ACT ii TAPS 59 
 
 [Helbig follows him without a show of resist- 
 ance, only when he reaches the door he casts 
 one last glance at the bedroom door.] 
 QUEISS [stops surprised and follows his glance. 
 Then comes to attention and follows Helbig 
 
 off}* 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [remains standing at the door 
 with drawn saber, and as he slowly lowers 
 the weapon the curtain falls]. 
 
 [END OF ACT SECOND]
 
 ACT III 
 
 Scene: A large room temporarily arranged for 
 the court martial. The walls have a gray 
 tint. In the back a center door, with the usual 
 inventory list hanging on same. On the right, 
 two windows with roller shades, striped. 
 Right and left of center door and on left side 
 of stage a row of lockers, with stocklocks and 
 small shields, on which are the names of the 
 individual men. Shields made of papier 
 mache. In the left corner is an iron stove, in 
 front of which is a cuspidor. In front of the 
 windows a long table, with a plain green 
 cloth cover. A number of plain wooden 
 chairs. In front, with his back to the audi- 
 ence, is seated the Recording Sergeant; then 
 in rotation running up stage are seated 
 Count von Lehdenburg, Major Paschke, 
 First Councillor, First Lieut. Hagemeister. 
 At right angle and adjoining this table is an- 
 other at which are seated, starting from the 
 corner and facing the audience, Second and 
 Third Councillors. At the end, next to door, is 
 the surgeon. The defendant sits at a small 
 table almost center to the left of it, facing the 
 
 60
 
 ACT in TAPS 61 
 
 audience. To the right of same table, Lieut, 
 von Hoeven, defending Helbig. The latter 
 is seated on a stool. On the other side of stage 
 are two chairs for witnesses which are un- 
 occupied at the opening of the act. All the 
 military are in full dress regalia, the officers 
 without field ties or bandoliers. The helmets 
 are on tables. The defendant appears in 
 service uniform, without saber. During the 
 action the court martial orderly infantry 
 sergeant keeps his position standing 
 at the door. It is bright sunshine without, 
 about the middle of the day. The proceedings 
 are at a standstill. The recorder is writing and 
 looking over his papers busily. Beside him 
 the only other one seated is the Second Coun- 
 cillor, who is lazily rocking himself in his 
 chair. The prosecutor is standing in his place 
 and looking through his papers in front of 
 him. Paschke, Hagemeister and the First 
 Councillor form a group at the front win- 
 dow, watching Count von Lehdenburg. 
 PASCHKE [to the recorder]: Sergeant! Would 
 you kindly go and once more inquire into 
 the condition of the defendant? The pro- 
 ceedings must come to an end sometime! 
 RECORDER: At your service, Major! [Exits.] 
 LEHDENBURG [spraying the walls on opposite 
 side of stage with an atomizer containing 
 lavender water, all the while keeping up a
 
 62 TAPS ACT in 
 
 rapid conversation] : With your permission, 
 Major, there is certainly a marked differ- 
 ence in the odor of the soldier in the open 
 field from that in the enclosed barracks. 
 My cuirassiers, in spite of the fact that I 
 always ride to windward they possess 
 an odor it is the odor of the horse- 
 man ! But the soldier in his quarters smells, 
 so to say, to heaven. Fact! Always! 
 
 HAGEMEISTER: But worse than all is this 
 dreadful moisture. The walls are simply 
 dripping. 
 
 PASCHKE: Not to mention all this filth. 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Quite correct! A horrible 
 mixture of sudor Humanus and soft soap. 
 Men with weaker nerves under these con- 
 ditions would have broken down without 
 a doubt. [Places the atomizer on the window 
 shelf.] I consider it no less than scanda- 
 lous to refuse us quarters reasonably fit 
 for a human being. [Turns to First Coun- 
 cillor.] And the appropriations for new 
 headquarters have again been denied? It 
 is unbelievable! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: It has been promised for 
 the coming year. For the present the 
 Reichstag has seen fit to strike it out. 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Ah, yes! The Reichstag! 
 Remarkable chaps, upon my word ! Should 
 be compelled to sit here and dispense jus-
 
 ACT in TAPS 63 
 
 tice! Of course! For themselves they had 
 erected a magnificent palace! We must 
 suffer. However, the food up there is 
 abominable! Major, have you ever lunched 
 in the Reichstag buffet? 
 
 MAJOR [short]: No! 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Interesting, I assure you! At 
 the adjoining table sat Bebel, the socialist. 
 Drinking a small pilsener, eating a ham 
 sandwich with knife and fork, like any 
 other well-bred citizen. Very interesting, 
 indeed. But as I said before, the food is 
 abominable. 
 
 PASCHKE [coldly turns away]: Is that so? [and 
 goes to window together with First Council- 
 lor]. 
 
 LEHDENBURG [aside to Hagemeister]: Rather 
 uncommunicative individual, this Mister 
 Paschke ! Have struggled to entertain him, 
 but apparently in vain. 
 
 HAGEMEISTER [shrugs his shoulders]. 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Oh, I understand. Heavy 
 artillery! To secure a hit with such gigan- 
 tic ordinance is no easy matter, I dare say. 
 And the caliber is bound to have its psycho- 
 logical effect on the men ! The law of cause 
 and effect! As per example: Mister 
 Paschke! However, I frankly confess I 
 have no burning desire to pose here as a 
 dispenser of divine justice. Do you know
 
 64 TAPS ACT in 
 
 that I have missed a splendid fox hunt on 
 account of it? You can imagine my disap- 
 pointment! 
 
 HAGEMEISTER: Oh! Speaking of the hunt, is 
 your English mare, Miss Page, in condi- 
 tion again? 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Yes! In splendid condition! 
 But tell me, my dear Lieutenant, how did 
 you know I was the proprietor of a Miss 
 Page? 
 
 HAGEMEISTER: I was fortunate enough to 
 have seen you pictured astride of her in 
 Die Woche. 
 
 LEHDENBURG [laughing] : My dear sir! You 
 saw the picture of Miss Page no doubt, 
 but do you know who was astride her? 
 
 HAGEMEISTER: Well you yourself, of 
 course! 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Cuirassier Karl Abromeit of 
 Naujenningken, my worthy orderly. [Takes 
 Hagemeister confidentially by the arm] 
 You see, my dear Hagemeister, Die 
 Woche is, I might say, a fairly respect- 
 able publication; in fact, his majesty's 
 portrait appears frequently in its pages. 
 But imagine this situation : Some one 
 let us say Mina Meyer if you like be- 
 holds my picture, and she says: " Elsa, 
 dear, I had pictured Count von Lehden- 
 burg to myself an entirely different looking
 
 ACT in TAPS 65 
 
 individual "! Would be painfully distress- 
 ing for me, would it not? But as it stands 
 now, such an occurrence is quite impossible! 
 
 ASSISTANT SURGEON [a young man a one- 
 year volunteer enters now, together with 
 recorder]: I beg to report that the condi- 
 tion of Sergeant Helbig will permit the 
 continuation of the proceedings. 
 
 PASCHKE: Thank you, doctor! But what 
 was the matter with him? 
 
 ASSISTANT SURGEON : A fainting spell brought 
 about by a weakened condition and per- 
 haps the excitement of the cross examina- 
 tion. Then the guard house inspector re- 
 ports that the defendant has persistently 
 refused to take nourishment since his arrest. 
 
 PASCHKE: Indeed? And how is he now? 
 
 ASSISTANT SURGEON: He has had a cup of 
 beef broth and a sip of wine. Quite suffi- 
 cient for the present, I think. 
 
 PASCHKE: Then you think we may safely 
 proceed? 
 
 ASSISTANT SURGEON: I think so, Major! 
 
 PASCHKE [looking at his watch] : Well let 
 us grant the poor devil a few minutes more. 
 Thank you, doctor. 
 
 ASSISTANT SURGEON [exits with a bow]. 
 
 PASCHKE: Queer fellow, this Helbig. Re- 
 fused to take nourishment! At the same 
 time whole case seems clear enough!
 
 66 TAPS ACT m 
 
 LEHDENBURG: It is, Major it is! Can't 
 understand the reasons for all this for- 
 mality this voluminous amount of hear- 
 say testimony. Unnecessarily increases 
 the costs of the case. And the result? 
 The anti-government and radical press 
 will again be raging about the ever-increas- 
 ing military burdens. Worst of it is, we 
 can't blame them. And what will be the 
 result? Who will be the sufferers? We, of 
 course. Through lack of funds the Reich- 
 stag will compel us to abide in such mis- 
 erable hovels as these for another year! 
 
 MAJOR [part anger, part jest]: By that time 
 you will no longer be councillor of the 
 court martial, Captain! 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Your pardon, Major, I am 
 speaking entirely out of consideration for 
 my fellow officers. [Blows his nose.] Devil 
 take it! It is surely no pleasure to sit in 
 this barn of a place as a representative of 
 divine justice. The last time you 
 remember, Major! The case of the assist- 
 ant paymaster and the mad little bar- 
 maid? That at least was interesting! But 
 today ? 
 
 SECOND COUNCILLOR [from the table]: 'Tis 
 not yet evening, Count ! 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Bless my soul Really! The 
 esteemed Councillor has re-discovered his
 
 ACT in TAPS 67 
 
 speech! [Goes to him and taps him on the 
 stomach.] 
 
 PASCHKE [cuts the conversation impatiently]: 
 I think we had better proceed! [Gives a 
 sign to recorder.] 
 
 RECORDER [goes to the door and calls out] : The 
 proceedings will be continued. [Returns 
 to his place.] 
 [Enter Helbig, von Hoeven, and orderly.} 
 
 PASCHKE: Well, Sergeant Helbig, do you 
 feel strong enough to proceed with your 
 case? 
 
 HELBIG: At your service, Major. 
 
 MAJOR : I'm glad to hear it ! - But or- 
 derly ! Kindly place a glass of water at the 
 disposal of the defendant. 
 
 ORDERLY : There's no glass for the defendant, 
 Major. 
 
 PASCHKE: Then take one of these [points to 
 glasses on the judges' table]. 
 
 ORDERLY: Those are for the honorable judges, 
 Major. 
 
 PASCHKE: Good heavens! What's the dif- 
 ference? 
 
 ORDERLY: Your pardon, Major! My instruc- 
 tions read: On the Councillors' table a 
 decanter with water and five glasses - 
 
 LEHDENBURG [enraged]: You're a [ironi- 
 cally polite] : de-cidedly diligent and pains- 
 taking official!
 
 68 TAPS ACT in 
 
 MAJOR [sternly] : Orderly ! I command you to 
 place a glass of water at the disposal of 
 the defendant. 
 
 ORDERLY: At your service, Major. [Does 
 so.] 
 
 PASCHKE [after all have taken their places]: 
 We will now proceed with the case. [To 
 the First Councillor]: Councillor, if you 
 please ! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [after audibly clearing his 
 throat]: Defendant, do you still persist in 
 your statement given previously to the 
 recess? 
 
 HELBIG [he looks pale and worried]: Yes, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Then you insist that on 
 the aforesaid evening you were in an excited 
 condition mentally, but not under the in- 
 fluence of liquor? 
 
 HELBIG: No, sir! I had taken a few glasses 
 of beer, but I well knew what I was doing. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Then you became a little 
 boisterous in the corridor Lieutenant 
 von Lauffen reprimanded you you re- 
 torted and finally in a fit of passion you 
 attacked your superior officer? 
 
 HELBIG: Yes, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And otherwise you have 
 nothing to add to your statements? 
 
 HELBIG: No, sir! 
 
 PASCHKE [with a polite gesture to First Coun-
 
 ACT in TAPS 69 
 
 cillor]: Helbig, I will endeavor to point 
 out to you once again, that you will only 
 injure your own case through your stub- 
 born reticence. Helbig, you must conceal 
 nothing from your judges. Perhaps you 
 can tell us some little circumstance that 
 will prove in your favor Helbig, there's 
 still time ! 
 
 HELBIG [is silent]. 
 
 VON HOEVEN [softly] : Man! Helbig! Don't 
 be so obstinate! You are killing your own 
 chances ! 
 
 MAJOR: Then you have nothing to add to 
 your testimony? 
 
 HELBIG [apparently stirred but after a short 
 pause]: No, sir! 
 
 MAJOR [shrugs his shoulders and sits down]. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Then we will proceed 
 with the other witnesses. [To orderly]: 
 Orderly! Kindly ask Lieutenant von 
 Lauffen to appear? 
 
 ORDERLY [very officiously looks over his list 
 through his glasses, opens the door and 
 calls]: Lieutenant von Lauffen! If you 
 please, sir! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [enters in full dress uniform 
 and comes to attention]. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Witness, you are Lieu- 
 tenant Joachim Kurt von Lauffen, of the 
 Magdeburg Uhlan regiment No. 25, born
 
 70 TAPS ACT in 
 
 January 7th, in Strassburg, Alsace, in the 
 year 1881? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [depressed] : Yes, sir ! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: You are not related to 
 the defendant in any way? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: No, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Will you now kindly 
 relate to us the particulars of your en- 
 counter with the defendant on the night 
 of August 12th of the present year? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [hastily]: At your service, 
 Councillor. I was about to retire when I 
 heard some one knock at my door. I 
 opened and there stood Sergeant Hel- 
 big. I asked him what he wanted at that 
 late hour. He answered with all sorts of 
 disjointed statements. Not wishing to 
 create a scene in the corridor, I finally 
 asked him into my rooms. Then I ques- 
 tioned him severely he retorted angrily 
 finally permitted himself to be carried 
 away ! I called the Corporal of the 
 Guard and had him placed under arrest! 
 
 COUNCILLOR: Thank you, Lieutenant! Only 
 it would be highly desirable if you 
 stated the matter a little more explicitly. 
 For instance, what were the specific re- 
 torts of the defendant when you repri- 
 manded him? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: That that I cannot re-
 
 ACT in TAPS 71 
 
 member exactly! All sorts of confused 
 remarks ... if I recall aright ! At any rate, 
 of no material importance, I assure you! 
 Fact, upon my word ! Otherwise, no doubt 
 I would have fully remembered them. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: But the defendant seemed 
 to be in a state of excitement? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Yes perhaps so. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Or perhaps under the 
 influence of liquor? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: That is possible, though I 
 wouldn't say he was drunk. Only he 
 seemed exceptionally agitated excited. 
 Almost feverishly so. His whole manner 
 and attack impressed me more like sudden 
 madness. Yes, yes! A case of sudden, 
 temporary insanity. And perhaps I 
 I am I consider it my duty to make this 
 statement perhaps I really bear part 
 of the blame. I was in a particularly irri- 
 table mood on that evening, and repri- 
 manded him somewhat severely, I dare 
 say rudely, perhaps and I might 
 say without special reason I frankly admit 
 that ! And I must have given him a certain 
 provocation and I have since bitterly 
 reproached myself for drawing my saber. 
 But as I said I was irritated, tremendously 
 irritated that evening as sometimes is 
 the case. At any rate, I would, with your
 
 72 TAPS ACT in 
 
 kind permission, if possible, respectfully 
 recommend the defendant to the leniency 
 of the court. [He is silent as he notices the 
 judges look at each other blandly.] Yes, yes 
 I urgently ask respectfully, with your 
 permission [long pause]. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Hm ! And further 
 explanation you cannot give us? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: No, sir! [Long pause.] 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Then I presume we may 
 as well swear the witness. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [is visibly startled]. 
 
 VON HOEVEN [with a bow toward the Major, 
 asking for permission] : I am compelled to 
 respectfully draw the attention of the 
 court to the fact that the statements of 
 witness leave a serious discrepancy at the 
 same point where defendant Helbig claims 
 to have lost his memory. This, to my mind, 
 is a most peculiar coincidence and I con- 
 sider it my duty to insist upon further in- 
 vestigation as counsel for the defendant. 
 Therefore I respectfully ask the gentlemen 
 of this tribunal to again interrogate wit- 
 ness on that point, if it please the court! 
 
 PASCHKE: As you desire, Lieutenant von 
 Hoeven. Lieutenant von Lauffen, I, too, 
 desire to direct to you a few words before 
 you are sworn. I would remind you that, 
 according to the Articles of War, it is your
 
 ACT in TAPS 73 
 
 duty to conceal nothing from us, as you 
 undoubtedly know. Therefore I ask you, 
 as president of this tribunal, and I pray 
 you as your fellow officer and comrade in 
 arms, to reconsider your statements care- 
 fully, before you repeat them under oath. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [hollowly] i At your service, 
 Major. 
 
 PASCHKE [pause]: Then you have nothing 
 further to add? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [is silent. Long and depressing 
 pause]. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Then let us proceed to 
 swear the witness. [Rises and reaches for 
 his helmet. The others do the same.] 
 
 COUNT VON LEHDENBURG [with clear trumpet 
 tones]: With your permission, Major! 
 Would it not be advisable to give the wit- 
 ness a little more time for the reconsidera- 
 tion of his testimony and meanwhile 
 obtain deposition of the other witnesses? 
 
 PASCHKE [to First Councillor]: I don't know 
 if that is permissible under the statutes. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [after a short deliberation] : 
 I think it is, Major, unless the gentlemen 
 of the defense or prosecution would object! 
 What say you, gentlemen? 
 
 VON HOEVEN: No objections! 
 
 THIRD COUNCILLOR: No objections! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Lieutenant von Lauffen,
 
 74 TAPS ACT in 
 
 you are excused for the time being. You 
 will presently be required to repeat your 
 statements under oath, and if possible to 
 amend the same. 
 
 VON LATJFFEN [hoarsely] : With your permis- 
 sion may I not retire? 
 
 PASCHKE: At your pleasure, Lieutenant! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: I would kindly ask you 
 to remain. [To the Major]: It may be nec- 
 essary to have his assistance in the hear- 
 ing of the other witnesses. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: At your service, sir! [Retires 
 to the left of the room.] 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [to the orderly]: Private 
 Michalek. 
 
 ORDERLY [as above, calls out of the door] : Pri- 
 vate Michalek! 
 
 MICHALEK [enters]. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Witness, you are Wladis- 
 lav Woczek Michalek, by profession do- 
 mestic servant, now private in the third 
 squadron of the Magdeburger Uhlan regi- 
 ment No. 25? [Orderly keeps shoving Mich- 
 alek forward, who remains frantically at 
 strict attention.] 
 
 MICHALEK: Serrviss, Majjorr! 
 
 PASCHKE [mildly instructing him]: Michalek! 
 You should say: " At your service, Coun- 
 cillor! " 
 
 MICHALEK: Serrrvisss, Majjorr!
 
 ACT in TAPS 75 
 
 PASCHKE: No, no! Now, then, say: "A-T 
 
 Y-O-U-R S-E-R-V-I-C-E, C-O-U-N-C-I-L-L-O-R ! 
 
 MICHALEK: Serrrvisss, Ma Ma Cou- 
 Cou-Coun [it is too much for him]. 
 
 MAJOR [discouraged]. I suppose it's useless! 
 
 LEHDENBURG [in the same dialect as Micha* 
 lek]: Ollright, Vladislav! Say serrviss, 
 Maj jorr ! 
 
 MICHALEK [with a sigh of relief]: Serrviss, 
 Maj jorr! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Private Michalek, are 
 you in any way, manner or form related to 
 the defendant, Sergeant Helbig? 
 
 MICHALEK: Serrviss, Maj jorr! [The judges 
 look at each other in surprise.] 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [to his associates] : That 
 seems improbable! Helbig was born in 
 Halberstadt; his name on his mother's side 
 was also distinctly German. [To Michalek] : 
 So you are really related to Sergeant Hel- 
 
 big? 
 
 MICHALEK: Serrviss, Maj jorr! 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Very good, Now tell us 
 
 in what way! 
 MICHALEK [is silent]. 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Good heavens, man ! You 
 
 surely must be able to tell us how you are 
 
 related to the defendant? 
 MICHALEK: Serrviss, Maj jorr! 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Well then, speak out!
 
 76 TAPS ACT in 
 
 MICHALEK [is silent and almost faints for 
 
 fear]. 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Well, well, Michalek? 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: I'm afraid we shall have 
 
 to resort to an interpreter. 
 PASCHKE [helplessly shrugs his shoulders], 
 LEHDENBURG: With your kind permission, 
 
 Major, may I take the good fellow in hand? 
 PASCHKE: Why certainly, Captain! Of 
 
 course ! 
 LEHDENBURG: Moj may Wadek, nie boj sie! 
 
 Isse Sergeant Helbig uncle yourrs orr 
 
 cousin? Siostrzeniec? 
 MICHALEK [jovially]: No, Captain! 
 LEHDENBURG: Orr maybe Wladislav have 
 
 Sch wester ! Maybe Sch wester yourrs marry 
 
 man named Helbig? 
 MICHALEK: Hav I no Sch wester! Nur funf 
 
 brooders! 
 LEHDENBURG [aside] : Yes! That is just the 
 
 perplexing difficulty! [To him]: Iss diss 
 
 man pan Sergeant at all Wogole-Wo- 
 
 gole belong to yourr family? 
 MICHALEK: Iss my family not so pro pro 
 - promin nnnent ! 
 LEHDENBURG [to the others]: There you are, 
 
 gentlemen ! 
 PASCHKE: This good fellow seems to be a 
 
 trifle weak-minded. However, what was 
 
 he to testify?
 
 ACT in TAPS 77 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Lieutenant von Lauffen 
 had him call the Corporal of the Guard. 
 He did not enter the room, nor has he 
 otherwise heard or seen anything. 
 
 PASCHKE: I imagine we can dispense with 
 this witness altogether? 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Without a doubt. The 
 prosecution? 
 
 THIRD COUNCILLOR: No objections. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And the gentleman for 
 the defense? 
 
 VON HOEVEN: No objections, Councillor. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Private Michalek, you 
 may retire. 
 
 MICHALEK: Serrviss, Majjorr! [Remains 
 standing at attention.] 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Nich bedsie pochwalony Jes- 
 suss Christus, Wadek! ! 
 
 MICHALEK: Na wieki wiekow. Amen! [Comes 
 about face quickly, and throws a kiss 
 toward the Captain, while he marches off 
 through the door: all laugh.] 
 
 PASCHKE: You certainly have made a con- 
 quest there, Count! 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Yass, thank you! His excel- 
 lency, Prince von Bulow, is certainly under 
 obligations to me. An example of practical 
 Colonial statesmanship without the aid of 
 government funds. The great problem is 
 solved.
 
 78 TAPS ACT m 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [to orderly] : Sergeant Maj- 
 or Volkhardt! 
 
 ORDERLY [as above calls out of the door] : Ser- 
 geant Major Volkhardt! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [enters and comes to attention]. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Sergeant Major Volk- 
 hardt! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [steps forward and confronts him] : 
 Here! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Witness, you are Ser- 
 geant Major Fredric William Volkhardt, 
 born April 20th, 1850, at Magdeburg? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Councillor. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Are you in any way, 
 form or manner, through marriage or 
 otherwise, related to the defendant? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: No Councillor, not exactly! But 
 Helbig has lived in my house since his 
 twelfth year, after his father, an old com- 
 rade of mine, had died. 
 
 PASCHKE: Your pardon, Councillor ! Ser- 
 geant Major, pray stand at ease. Kindly 
 forget for the time being that you are in 
 the presence of superiors, since we are, 
 first of all, judges and you are a witness. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [stands at ease]: At your service, 
 Major ! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [continues]: But a formal 
 adoption has not taken place? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: No, Councillor!
 
 ACT in TAPS 79 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And you have no valid 
 reasons to withhold your testimony? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: No, Councillor. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: On the evening of Au- 
 gust 12th, during the welcome festivities in 
 honor of the defendant, you sat side by 
 side with him? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Yes, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Did you on that occasion 
 remark anything peculiar in the manner 
 of your neighbor? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Nothing in particular. He may 
 have been a little quieter than was his 
 custom. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: But he did not appear 
 exceptionally agitated? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: No, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Could you tell us if the 
 defendant on that evening drank exces- 
 sively or perhaps hastily? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: I couldn't say that I noticed 
 anything of that sort, though a fellow 
 always drinks a little faster at first. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Approximately, say, how 
 many glasses had he taken, do you think? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Well it may have been four 
 or five ! Six at the most. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Then you would hardly 
 say the defendant was intoxicated? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Well hardly, Councillor.
 
 80 TAPS ACT m 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Thank you! [Busies 
 himself with his papers.] 
 
 LEHDENBURG: With your permission you 
 will pardon me, Major but I would 
 respectfully request the information 
 whether the defendant had previously par- 
 taken of anything substantial or not. For 
 I am firmly convinced that six glasses of 
 beer will produce a result upon an empty 
 stomach dangerously near intoxication. 
 Sorry to say I am speaking from personal 
 experience. 
 
 PASCIIKE [impatiently]: Certainly, Captain, 
 certainly. Councillor, if you please! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Had the defendant eaten 
 anything previously or not? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Nothing at all, sir. I had even 
 quarreled with him on account of it. 
 
 LEHDENBURG: Voila! Consider the point 
 in question satisfactorily established. Ser- 
 geant Helbig, during the commission of 
 his offense, was undoubtedly in a state of 
 irresponsible inebriation. 
 
 THIRD COUNCILLOR: Quite possible, Captain! 
 Only according to the Articles of War - 
 intoxication is not an extenuating circum- 
 stance. 
 
 LEHDENBURG [slightly miffed] : Ah thank 
 you thank you, Councillor, for the 
 friendly information. I was fully aware
 
 ACT in TAPS 81 
 
 of it, of course but consider it an in- 
 teresting point to bring to the attention 
 of the court. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Sergeant Major Volk- 
 hardt, what sort of a man do you consider 
 the defendant? As regards character, I 
 mean? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: I know him to be a quiet, hon- 
 est and straightforward fellow, Councillor. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Then you do not know 
 him as a person of violent tendencies? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: No, sir! Not at all, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Well could you in any 
 way explain to us his sudden violent at- 
 tack on his superior officer? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: No, Councillor. In no way 
 possible. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Or have you any knowl- 
 edge of, say a possible hidden motive? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: No, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: I mean of any possible 
 ill feeling or something of the sort 
 between the Lieutenant and the defendant? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Your pardon, Councillor! A 
 thing of that sort between a commissioned 
 and non-commissioned officer is surely 
 impossible. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Oh certainly ! Of 
 course! ,1 referred to a possible ill feeling 
 between the two from former days.
 
 82 TAPS ACT in 
 
 VOLKHARDT: No, Councillor! Certainly not! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Or do you think it at all 
 probable that for some secret or personal 
 reasons the defendant is harboring a grudge 
 against Lieutenant von Lauffen? 
 
 VOLKHARDT [slightly startled]: For personal 
 reasons? 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Well, Sergeant Major 
 you hesitate! Speak openly, Volkhardt. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Councillor! I 
 really know of nothing! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: But why did you hesi- 
 tate? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Councillor! I 
 I am almost beside myself over this 
 affair and hardly know what I am doing. 
 To begin with, here is Helbig, whom I 
 consider as my own son, gets into this 
 scrape and I can't for the life of me think 
 what drove him to it and then, as the 
 Councillor spoke of personal reasons, that 
 might be at the bottom of it all, I couldn't 
 help thinking of ! But then that surely 
 doesn't belong here, Councillor! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Speak right out, Volk- 
 hardt! You can't tell what important 
 bearing your revelations may have on this 
 case. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Your pardon, Councillor! What 
 I meant hardly !
 
 ACT in TAPS 83 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Nevertheless, Sergeant 
 Major ! It may it may ! 
 
 VOLKHARDT : Well then ! It just occurred 
 to me that my daughter at home showed a 
 singular interest in the proceedings here. 
 Every few moments she would ask about 
 this and that and what time the trial 
 commenced if she couldn't be present 
 and if the witnesses were compelled to 
 testify under oath, and a lot of nonsense 
 like that, till I finally forbade her to speak 
 of it! Then she grew more excited than 
 ever and insisted that she would have to be 
 present yes, she insisted determinedly 
 and and well, that just occurred to 
 me ! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Very good. And had 
 your daughter any particular reason for 
 her agitation, do you think? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Well yes! In a way! She 
 was, you might say, at one time engaged 
 to marry Sergeant Helbig. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: I see. In that case your 
 daughter's agitation would seem quite 
 natural. At any rate it is most improbable 
 that your daughter had any connection 
 with the affair between Lieutenant von 
 Lauffen and Sergeant Helbig? 
 
 VOLKHARDT [with certainty]: No, no! Cer- 
 tainly not! That's quite impossible!
 
 84 TAPS ACT m 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: That is so, is it not, Ser- 
 geant Helbig? 
 
 HELBIG [bitterly, with faint irony]: At your 
 service, Councillor! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: I respectfully request that 
 Lieutenant von Lauffen answer the same 
 question. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: If you so desire it, Lieu- 
 tenant von Hoeven, certainly! Though I 
 can't see any reason therefor. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [has now become attentive and 
 looks searchingly toward Hoeven]. 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Nevertheless I respectfully 
 repeat my request. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Very well! Lieutenant 
 von Lauffen, will you kindly oblige us? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [hastily]: At your service, sir! 
 It is out of the question out of the ques- 
 tion entirely! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Thank you, Lieutenant 
 von Lauffen! It is exactly as I had ex- 
 pected. It was the anxiety of the girl about 
 her prospective bridegroom. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Your pardon, Councillor, but 
 Helbig is no longer engaged to my daughter. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [jestingly] : Ah I see ! 
 A lovers' quarrel! My dear Sergeant 
 Major, you will find that I am right. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Councillor! I 
 suppose so!
 
 ACT in TAPS 85 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Very good. And should 
 we find it necessary to ask information of 
 your daughter, the young lady can be 
 quickly summoned? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, sir! My quar- 
 ters are close by. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Thank you! Now we 
 will postpone swearing you, Sergeant Major, 
 till the rest of the witnesses are heard. 
 [To orderly]: Sergeant Queiss! 
 
 ORDERLY [as above, calls out of the door] : Ser- 
 geant Queiss! 
 
 QUEISS [enters. Comes to attention]. 
 
 ORDERLY [after Queiss enters, he takes another 
 look out of the door, and with a sign of sur- 
 prise and a frown, exits]. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Sergeant Johannes Lud- 
 wig Queiss! 
 
 QUEISS: Here! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: You were born October 
 2d, 1870, in Brandenburg on the Havel? 
 
 QUEISS: Service, sir. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: You are not related to 
 the defendant in any way? 
 
 QUEISS: No, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: On the evening of Au- 
 gust 12th you were acting Corporal of the 
 Guard within the barracks of the third 
 squadron? 
 
 QUEISS: At your service, sir!
 
 86 TAPS ACT in 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Then kindly tell us how 
 you were called, and what happened! 
 
 QUEISS: I was in my quarters when I heard 
 Lieutenant von Lauffen call for the Cor- 
 poral of the Guard. I went at once to his 
 rooms and reported. On my way I met 
 Private Michalek. He came to call me. I 
 sent him to his quarters. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: For what reason? 
 
 QUEISS: Something might be going on not 
 necessary for him to hear. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Very good! Goon! 
 
 QUEISS: The door to the Lieutenant's rooms 
 stood wide open. I reported and Lieuten- 
 ant von Lauffen ordered me to place Ser- 
 geant Helbig under arrest for having 
 violently attacked him. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And of the preceding 
 quarrel or dispute you heard nothing? 
 
 QUEISS: No, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And during the trans- 
 port to the guardhouse the prisoner said 
 nothing? 
 
 QUEISS: No, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: 'Tis well! [To the judges] 
 So here we have arrived at the same old 
 point. [To Volkhardt and Queiss] Ser- 
 geant Major Volkhardt and Sergeant 
 Queiss, I ask you again, do you know of 
 anything aside from the testimony already
 
 ACT in TAPS 87 
 
 given that could possibly cast any light on 
 this whole affair? 
 
 BOTH TOGETHER: No, Councillor! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Or have you any con- 
 jectures be they what they may? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: No, Councillor. 
 
 QUEISS [is silent]. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Well Sergeant Queiss? 
 
 QUEISS [after an impressive pause frown- 
 ing] : When I received the command of the 
 Lieutenant to place Sergeant Helbig under 
 arrest I seemed to hear a noise in the 
 Lieutenant's bedroom and when I led 
 the prisoner off he turned and cast one 
 last glance at that bedroom door. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Well? And? 
 
 QUEISS: Well, I suppose there must have 
 been some one in that room. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And what or who do you 
 think it could have been? 
 
 QUEISS: Hm! What else could it have been 
 but a woman! [Distinct movement among 
 the judges.] 
 
 LEHDENBURG [aloud] i Ah !!!!!! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [to Queiss]: A woman? 
 You mean, such was your conjecture? 
 
 VOLKHARDT [bursts out into a soft, respectful 
 laugh in an audible whisper, shaking his 
 head]: Well I'll be
 
 88 TAPS ACT in 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Sergeant Major Volk- 
 hardt, you have something to say? 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Councillor! I 
 would respectfully say that Queiss he is 
 really our best Sergeant I don't believe 
 there's a better one in the corps or in the 
 entire army no better rider at least, and 
 as for his veterinary knowledge, I tell you 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [impatiently]: Yes, yes, 
 my dear Volkhardt, that is quite possible. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: It's a fact Councillor beg- 
 ging your pardon he's a sort of a woman 
 hater. It's something like a red rag to a 
 bull and whenever there's any trouble 
 to his way of thinking, there's sure to be a 
 woman at the bottom of it! 
 
 LEHDENBURG: I must frankly admit this 
 fellow interests me decidedly. 
 
 PASCHKE [reprimanding]: Captain, I beg of 
 you ! 'Tis well, Volkhardt. We shall 
 not accept the suspicions of Sergeant 
 Queiss off hand. However, it is our sworn 
 duty to follow even this most unlikely 
 clue! [Motions to Councillor to proceed.] 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [with a rather superior 
 smile]: Sergeant Queiss! What else did 
 you notice that would point to the presence 
 of a woman in that room? 
 
 QUEISS: Nothing, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And the sounds you
 
 ACT in TAPS 89 
 
 heard may have come from somewhere 
 else, may they not? From the street or 
 from the adjoining room? The barrack 
 walls are not particularly thick! 
 
 QUEISS: Well, maybe so! The noise wasn't 
 really what made me suspicious, but it was 
 Helbig's turning back and looking at the 
 door. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Sergeant Queiss, I am 
 forced to bring to your attention that you 
 are here as a witness. You must not ad- 
 vance suppositions or theories for which 
 you can't have the slightest proofs. Why 
 you can't even tell us how or why you 
 came to these suspicions. 
 
 QUEISS: Well I've seen a woman come 
 from the Lieutenant's rooms before. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: You have? And when 
 was that? 
 
 QUEISS: At the beginning of July, about 
 two o'clock in the morning. I can tell the 
 exact date if I look in the revision book. 
 It was when Andromeda had her left 
 shoulder kicked to pieces. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Do you know who this 
 woman was? 
 
 QUEISS: No, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR : But you said you saw the 
 lady? 
 
 QUEISS: Yes, sir! It was a sort of a white
 
 90 TAPS ACT in 
 
 figure gliding down the corridor around 
 the corner and she was gone. 
 
 LEHDENBTJRG : Unquestionably the white lady 
 of the Berlin Castle on nocturnal detour. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: But, Sergeant Queiss! 
 That a full-grown person could as suddenly 
 disappear as you describe, does not sound 
 very plausible. And as for having been a 
 ghost 
 
 QUEISS: I don't believe in such rot, Council- 
 lor. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And the barracks are 
 securely locked and barred during the 
 night? 
 
 QUEISS: Yes, sir! At least they are supposed 
 to be. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Then it is evidently im- 
 possible for any one to suddenly disappear 
 [sarcastically]. This " white lady " came 
 from the Lieutenant's rooms, you say? 
 
 QUEISS: Yes, sir! That I saw clearly as 
 clearly as I can see the Councillor now! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: But why didn't you fol- 
 low her? 
 
 QUEISS: Just at that moment I heard two 
 horses biting each other in the stables, and 
 as the stable guard must have fallen asleep 
 I ran down there. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And you considered that 
 of more importance?
 
 ACT in TAPS 91 
 
 QTJEISS [emphatically]: Yes, sir! 
 
 LEHDENBURG: A most interesting individual, 
 'pon my word. 
 
 QUEISS: When I returned I searched every 
 nook and corner 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And found? 
 
 QUEISS: Nothing, sir! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: And then you realized 
 that you had made a mistake. You per- 
 mitted the moonshine to deceive you. 
 
 QUEISS: The moon didn't shine that night, 
 sir. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [annoyed]: Or heaven 
 knows what you dreamed of that night. 
 At any rate you surely do not wish to 
 maintain that the occurrence had any 
 connection with Sergeant Helbig's case? 
 He was still at the riding academy at that 
 time. 
 
 QUEISS: I know that, Councillor. 
 
 LEHDENBURG: I beg your pardon. I would 
 respectfully ask a question. I would like 
 to ascertain if there is any specimen of 
 lovely femininity dwelling within the range 
 of these barracks. 
 
 QUEISS [startled, but silent, casts a furtive 
 glance at Volkhardt]. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: At your service, Captain. My 
 quarters are in the barracks and of 
 course my daughter lives with me.
 
 92 TAPS ACT in 
 
 LEHDENBURG [slowly]: Indeed! Thank you 
 thank you kindly, Sergeant Major! I 
 merely wanted to know. . . . 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Sergeant Queiss! You 
 are fully convinced now, are you not, that 
 you were deceived in some way or other? 
 
 QUEISS [shrugs his shoulders] : Well it's 
 always the case. Whenever an honest fel- 
 low gets into trouble there's a woman at 
 the bottom of it all. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [reproving] : That's non- 
 sense, Queiss. 
 
 LEHDENBURG: A pronounced woman hater, 
 'pon my word. 
 
 PASCHKE: Yes, indeed! It appears to be a 
 sort of a fixed idea of the man and 
 yet ! Helbig ! Tell me ! Was there a 
 woman at the bottom of this affair? 
 
 HELBIG [agitated] : No ! No ! No ! 
 
 PASCHKE [warning]: Helbig! 
 
 HELBIG [distressed] : I'll not say another word. 
 [Sinks down exhausted. Pause.] 
 
 PASCHKE: Lieutenant von Lauffen, will you 
 kindly express yourself on the point in 
 question? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [is startled. He battles with him- 
 self - - after a 'painful pause]: Sergeant 
 Queiss is certainly mistaken. 
 
 PASCHKE: Hm ! Lieutenant von Lauffen! 
 For the second time I will refrain from
 
 ACT in TAPS 93 
 
 pointing out to you the seriousness of the 
 oath you will be obliged to take upon your 
 testimony. The statements of Sergeant 
 Queiss have taken us somewhat by sur- 
 prise, but if there is only a grain of truth 
 in his surmises and suspicions, it would 
 readily explain some of the previously 
 inexplicable points in the case. Lieutenant 
 von Lauffen, a few moments ago you asked 
 for the defendant the leniency of this court 
 and pointed to extenuating circumstances. 
 Therefore a rivalry a sudden jeal- 
 ous rage or something of that sort would 
 undoubtedly establish such a circumstance 
 even though it failed to clear the de- 
 fendant of his crime altogether. Can you 
 or will you assist the defendant to this ad- 
 vantage? [Portentous pause.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [distressed] : I I I have 
 nothing further to add to my statements. 
 
 PASCHKE [shrugs his shoulders and sits down. 
 Long pause.] 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [mildly warning] : You will 
 presently be compelled to repeat your 
 statements under oath, Lieutenant von 
 Lauffen. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [dully] i At your service, Coun- 
 cillor. 
 
 [Long and pregnant pause, the while First 
 Councillor toys nervously with paper cutter.]
 
 94 TAPS ACT in 
 
 VON HOEVEN [hoarsely clearing his throat]: 
 I would respectfully maintain that in spite 
 of all the testimony to date the case is not 
 at all cleared up. However, I consider the 
 statements of both Sergeant Queiss and 
 Sergeant Major Volkhardt of grave impor- 
 tance. Therefore I respectfully request 
 the court to summon the daughter of Ser- 
 geant Major Volkhardt, and obtain de- 
 position of the young lady in fact learn 
 from her own lips what she knows about 
 the case, if anything at all. 
 [Perplexed silence. Volkhardt visibly startled.] 
 
 LEHDENBTJRG [emphatically]: I am certainly 
 in favor of conceding the point to the de- 
 fense. 
 
 HAGEMEISTER [alert] : I fully agree with the 
 Captain. 
 
 PASCHKE: Well so do I. 
 
 [Second and Third Councillors nod their con- 
 sent.] 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Certainly, gentlemen ! 
 Shall the young lady be summoned at once? 
 
 PASCHKE: I think so. The quarters of the 
 third squadron are scarcely five hundred 
 paces distant. Orderly! But where is the 
 Sergeant? 
 
 QUEISS [goes to door and calls] : Sergeant ! 
 
 ORDERLY [enters while obviously barring 
 some one from entering the room].
 
 ACT in TAPS 95 
 
 PASCHKE: Where have you been, Sergeant? 
 
 ORDERLY: Outside, sir! 
 
 PASCHKE [sarcastically]: So I observed! Send 
 the usher of the court at once to the bar- 
 racks of the third squadron and kindly 
 have Miss Volkhardt served with this sum- 
 mons [takes paper from orderly]. Ask her 
 to kindly answer the same at once if pos- 
 sible. [Motions impatiently to orderly, to 
 take the summons.] 
 
 ORDERLY [remains calmly at the door grudg- 
 ingly]: At your service, Major! Miss 
 Volkhardt is already here. [General aston- 
 ishment.] 
 
 ORDERLY [deigns to continue]: She has been 
 waiting quite some time. Ever since 
 [laboriously puts glasses on nose and studies 
 his list] since Sergeant Queiss was 
 called. She desires to testify. 
 
 PASCHKE: But why haven't you reported that 
 before? 
 
 ORDERLY: Because her name is not given on 
 the official list as witness, and according to 
 instructions women are not admitted here. 
 
 PASCHKE: Is that so? Then you may admit 
 her now! 
 
 ORDERLY: At your service, Major. [Calls 
 out of the door] Miss Volkhardt ! [Exits.] 
 
 LEHDENBURG [in a loud aside] : Ah here is 
 where the story begins !
 
 96 TAPS ACT in 
 
 CLARA [enters, in a plain, dark dress and a 
 simple straw hat], 
 
 PASCHKE: You are Miss Clara Volkliardt? 
 
 VOLKHARDT [beside himself]: Your pardon, 
 Major! Yes this is my daughter. 
 
 PASCHKE: Thank you, Sergeant Major! [To 
 Clara] : You desire to testify in the case of 
 Sergeant Helbig, Miss Volkhardt? 
 
 CLARA [oppressed yet decided]: Yes! 
 
 PASCHKE: You have something to tell us? 
 Something of great importance, perhaps? 
 
 CLARA: Yes! Only ! You will pardon 
 the question. Have the witnesses been 
 sworn as yet? 
 
 PASCHKE: No, not yet. 
 
 CLARA [pressing]: Not any one of them? 
 
 PASCHKE: No, Miss Volkhardt! 
 
 CLARA [relieved]: Thank you, Major. 
 
 PASCHKE: First of all, Miss Volkhardt, you 
 must try and control yourself and then 
 you may be seated. 
 
 CLARA: Thank you, Major! I prefer to stand. 
 
 PASCHKE: As you like. Councillor, if you 
 please. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: At your service, Major. 
 [Affably] Hm now then, Miss Volk- 
 hardt, will you kindly tell us first of all 
 what you know? Your deposition can be 
 taken later, for it is just possible that your 
 information is entirely irrelevant, of course !
 
 ACT in TAPS 97 
 
 CLARA [nervously] : I hardly think so ! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Well that we shall 
 soon be able to decide. You are fully 
 acquainted with the history of this action, 
 I presume? 
 
 CLARA: Yes! Perfectly! 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [praising] : Very good. 
 And what do you know in connection 
 with the same? 
 
 CLARA [with quick resolve]: I know how 
 Lieutenant von Lauffen and Sergeant Hel- 
 big came to quarrel. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Indeed? That informa- 
 tion would be highly desirable to us ! So if 
 you please, Miss Volkhardt. 
 
 CLARA: As you know my foster brother has 
 been away at the riding academy for the 
 past two years 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Yes, yes ! 
 
 CLARA: and before he left we were 
 partly engaged. Not formally, or openly, 
 but in a way that he considered me his in- 
 tended bride 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR: Correct! 
 
 PASCHKE [lays his hand on First Councillor's 
 arm he should cease the interruptions]. 
 
 CLARA : And when he returned he he im- 
 agined to have cause for jealousy of the 
 Lieutenant. That same night he called 
 Lieutenant von Lauffen to account. The
 
 98 TAPS ACT in 
 
 Lieutenant refused to listen, and ordered 
 him from his room. But Helbig grew insist- 
 ent and finally accused the Lieutenant of 
 having me concealed in his bedroom. As the 
 Lieutenant would not permit him to ap- 
 proach the door, Helbig threw himself 
 upon the Lieutenant and flung him aside. 
 Then the Lieutenant struck Helbig with 
 his saber but in spite of it Helbig 
 reached the door and opened it [general 
 movement]. 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [embarrassed] : Well that 
 that all seems very plausible, but, Miss 
 Volkhardt if you will permit me how 
 do you know all these details so perfectly? 
 Were you ? 
 
 CLARA [hard] : Yes ! I was in there ! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [has watched the proceedings since 
 Clara's entrance in a sort of a daze now 
 totters back. Queiss busies himself about him.] 
 
 CLARA [softly] : I had gone to Lieutenant von 
 Lauffen's room. We I love him. [Pause.] 
 
 FIRST COUNCILLOR [rattled] : Yes that's all 
 very good but am I to understand ? 
 
 PASCHKE: I think that makes the case per- 
 fectly clear, Councillor. All that is neces- 
 sary now is to obtain the corroboration of 
 both the defendant and Lieutenant von 
 Lauffen. Sergeant Helbig, do you admit 
 the truth of Miss Volkhardt 's statements?
 
 ACT m TAPS 99 
 
 HELBIG [bitterly] : I presume it must be so, if 
 she says it. [Sinks into chair and buries his 
 face in his hands.] 
 
 PASCHKE: And you Lieutenant von Lauf- 
 fen? 
 
 VON LATJFFEN: At your service, Major! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [up to this moment has doubted it 
 all until the answer of Lauffen upon whose 
 lips his eyes are fixed. At this moment he 
 utters a hoarse cry and would pounce on 
 him, half drawing his saber] : Ah ! 
 
 PASCHKE [calls warningly]: Sergeant Major! 
 [General tumult.] 
 
 QUEISS [at the same moment seizes Volkhardt 
 from behind and with giant strength forces 
 him into one of the witness chairs, whispering 
 in his ear sullenly]: Keep cool, Sergeant 
 Major! One is enough! Keep cool! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [sits gasping in chair. Every 
 one has risen and looks at him in great ex- 
 citement at him and Queiss. The Sec- 
 ond Councillor alone has remained seated.] 
 
 PASCHKE [severely]: What does this mean, 
 Sergeant Major? What does it mean? 
 
 QUEISS [resolutely]: Your pardon, Major! I 
 thought the Sergeant Major fainting and so 
 I kept him from falling. 
 
 PASCHKE: Was that really the case? 
 
 [The others look at each other in silence and 
 shrug their shoulders.]
 
 100 TAPS ACT in 
 
 LEHDENBUBG [animated now comes to the rescue 
 between the two Sergeants and the Major] : 
 With your permission, I would respectfully 
 say: Without a doubt without a doubt! 
 Observed the incident in every detail per- 
 sonally, Major. A genuine swoon un- 
 questionable, I assure you. Fact! Upon 
 my word! And I should say no wonder! 
 [Puts on monocle, turns to Queiss, eyes him, 
 and then taps him on the shoulder]: You 
 came to the rescue in good time. Well 
 done, my good fellow, well done! [To 
 Volkhardt] : Come, come, my good Sergeant 
 Major! An old veteran like you must not 
 give up so easily. Come, cheer up ! Every- 
 thing will be all right again ! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [straightens up with deep mean- 
 ing]: At your service, Captain! It must 
 be all right again. It must! 
 [CURTAIN]
 
 ACT IV 
 
 [The scene is the same as in Act II. ] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [is lying on the divan, his head 
 resting on his hands. On table and chairs 
 are scattered in confusion czapka, bando- 
 lier, saber and gloves. The room is in semi- 
 darkness. After a little while he rises slowly, 
 languidly goes to door and calls]: Michalek! 
 [Closes door, comes to desk and remains 
 standing.] 
 
 MICHALEK [enters]: Pan Lieutenant? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN : You can light the lamp, Micha- 
 lek. 
 
 MICHALEK: Serviss, pan Lieutenant. [He 
 lights the lamp.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: And put the room in order. 
 
 MICHALEK: Serviss! [Puts the different articles 
 in their proper places while von Lauffen 
 watches him absent-mindedly. With the 
 last article in his hand]: Will pan Lieuten- 
 ant have coffee or tea? [As Lauffen is 
 silent] Isse make vera quick. Michalek 
 buy fresh alcohol. Isse make vera quick. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Never mind, Michalek. I 
 don't want it. 
 
 101
 
 102 TAPS ACT iv 
 
 MICHALEK [timidly after a pause] : Orr pan 
 Lieutenant preferr stein beer from Stadt 
 Strassburg? Isse fine fresh beer 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [sharply] : Shut up ! No, 
 no [swallowing the last words repent- 
 antly] No, ' Michalek, I don't want any. 
 You're a good fellow. [Takes a handful of 
 cigarettes from the case and gives them to 
 him.] Here! 
 
 MICHALEK [would kiss his hand beaming 
 with gratitude]: Danke, pan Lieutenant! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Nonsense! Kusch! 
 
 MICHALEK [goes to door]: Pan Lieutenant 
 wish something else? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: No! Nothing more. [Pulls 
 his watch.] Tell me, Michalek, what time 
 is it? [Tapping his watch on his hand and 
 holding it to his ear partly to himself.] 
 My timepiece seems to be on a strike. 
 
 MICHALEK: Isse quarter to ten. Headquar- 
 ters make preparation to sound Taps. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [startled] : Good! When you 
 have finished cleaning up you can go to 
 bed. 
 
 MICHALEK: Serrviss, pan Lieutenant. [Would 
 go to door.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [calls after him]: Michalek! 
 But first go to Lieutenant von Hoeven and 
 ask him to step over here for a moment 
 for a few words.
 
 ACT iv TAPS 103 
 
 MICHALEK: Serrviss! [Repeats order] Would 
 Lieutenant von Hoeven please come see 
 pan Lieutenant for few words for few 
 words. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Correct! Kusch! 
 
 MICHALEK [exits]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [restlessly walks up and down 
 the room. Finally goes to mirror and ar- 
 ranges his uniform a bit. Buttons his collar 
 and fixes his hair with two military 
 brushes]. 
 
 VON HOEVEN [enters a trifle embarrassed}. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [meets him half way]: You'll 
 pardon me for sending for you. [He stops 
 then, jerkingly] I had to have some one to 
 talk to. I couldn't bear it any longer. 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Yes I understand. How- 
 ever I meant to come of my own accord. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: You did? Really? [Goes to 
 him and presses his hand.] Thank you, 
 old man! 
 
 VON HOEVEN [has gripped his hand tightly]: 
 Yes, I surely would have come ! Only - 
 I needed a little time to regain control of 
 myself. Immediately after the proceed- 
 ings no, no! I could not have done it. 
 And [he is gradually talking himself 
 into a rage] and that was a good thing 
 for you, for I could have whipped you 
 whipped you like a cur -
 
 104 TAPS ACT iv 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [is visibly stung nervously 
 bites his lips]. 
 
 VON HOEVEN [several times up and down 
 after a pause] : Man what have you 
 done? to yourself to me to all of 
 us who wear the army shoulder straps! 
 Heavens above ! [Takes a deep breath 
 then quieter] My boy, I loved you like my 
 own brother who died in my arms when 
 he was scarcely sixteen. Now don't for a 
 moment imagine I considered you the spot- 
 less example of masculine perfection. Far 
 from it! I was never blind to your many 
 faults and weaknesses, but I loved you in 
 spite of them, for you had the material 
 within you for a man But now ! 
 Now ! ! Had you brought ruin to any other 
 girl well, I might have overlooked and 
 added it to your other faults and short- 
 comings. [Laughs bitterly.] Oh, yes! So 
 illogical we men are ! But that through you 
 those fellows out there can resume their 
 scurrilous attacks on our calling, that you 
 yourself have given these insidious knaves 
 a valid reason for their foul slurs! That 
 through you they have been given the full 
 right to ask the question: How can the 
 officer demand the respect of his subordi- 
 nates when he himself refuses to recognize 
 their holiest feelings and their simplest
 
 ACT iv TAPS 105 
 
 sense of honor? That By God, boy, I 
 cannot forgive you. But not that alone. 
 I myself had warned you on the self -same 
 accursed evening. I sensed the catas- 
 trophe ! I saw it coming. But, no ! You 
 blundered into the trap like a schoolboy 
 and as the whole disgraceful affair dis- 
 closed itself at the court martial, I could 
 have treated you like a schoolboy like a 
 schoolboy . . . ! 
 
 [Long pause. Von Hoeven walks agitated 
 up and down. Von Lauffen has stepped to 
 the window.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [after a pause with forced 
 calmness]: How a man can change! If 
 any one had insinuated four weeks ago 
 that I would ever allow this to be said to 
 my face I would have [short and 
 discordant laugh] Well, Hoeven, I pre- 
 sume you know what you are saying. 
 
 VON HOEVEN [honestly] : Yes ! And that's why 
 I have said it. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: So that's settled. The dam- 
 age is irreparable. No use to discuss it 
 further. The more important question is: 
 What now? 
 
 VON HOEVEN [shrugs his shoulders and toys 
 with paper cutter]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [slowly] i Hoeven! Do you 
 know, I don't feel at all grateful to you for
 
 106 TAPS ACT iv 
 
 having saved me several times during the 
 proceedings from perjury? 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Man have you gone stark 
 mad? 
 
 VON LATJFFEN [quietly] : Not at all. I will tell 
 you why. Had I taken the false oath, then 
 my course now would be perfectly simple 
 and easy ! [Jumps up in his excitement.] 
 You cannot possibly imagine my present 
 state of mind. All the hopelessness and dis- 
 traction ! It's enough to drive me mad. 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Lauffen! Do you know that 
 the penalty for perjury is the peniten- 
 tiary? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Certainly! I had fully in- 
 formed myself on that point. And even so 
 I was compelled to see it through to 
 the end, wasn't I? 
 
 VON HOEVEN [shrugs his shoulders, embar- 
 rassed]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: You admit that! And this 
 much I will confess to you. Worse than 
 the impending penitentiary was to me the 
 sight of this fellow Helbig. After treating 
 him with contempt as one of the rabble, I 
 am forced to hide from him. I am forced 
 to lie devil take it, lie for my own per- 
 sonal advantage while he lies heroically 
 - voluntarily fully knowing that it 
 must be his ruin ! That was worse than
 
 ACT iv TAPS 107 
 
 perjury a thousand times worse than 
 the penitentiary. By God ! But what's the 
 use! I had to swallow my medicine and I 
 did it. The incident was closed. And now 
 you come here, and 
 
 VON HOEVEN: And by the eternal man! What 
 about Clara Volkhardt? 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [stubbornly]: The incident was 
 closed and my path, devil knows, was 
 straight before me. And yet I sit here and 
 fret and worry. I am worse off than before. 
 On my hands and knees I would search 
 for a loophole to escape to escape it all. 
 [Throws himself on the divan.] What in 
 the world am I going to do now? 
 
 VON HOEVEN [hesitating] : I'm afraid you will 
 have to ask for your discharge. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN : Yes ! And the sooner the bet- 
 ter, unless I wish to receive it. So far, so 
 good. But after all, I am not the only suf- 
 ferer. 
 
 VON HOEVEN [looks at him embarrassed], 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Confound it! I must come to 
 some sort of an understanding with the 
 Sergeant Major and Clara! 
 
 VON HOEVEN: Frankly speaking, advice un- 
 der the circumstances is a difficult matter. 
 . . . You will hardly be able to clear your 
 skirts of the affair altogether. [With a sud- 
 den resolve] Why don't you marry the girl?
 
 108 TAPS ACT iv 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [slowly and thoughtfully] : Marry? 
 Yes ! I've thought of it myself. That 
 would perhaps [rises, more animated} 
 Look here, Hoeven ! If only to correct your 
 opinion of me somewhat [warmly} I want 
 you to believe me! The affair with Clara 
 was not a frivolous intrigue. In the begin- 
 ning, perhaps but later! With every 
 day my affection for the girl grew stronger 
 honestly ! Yes ! In fact my regard for 
 her was too great and now I love her more 
 than ever. She comes forward, of her own 
 free will casts aside all timidity. Like a 
 faithful comrade she cuts me out she 
 comes to my rescue. That was grand, 
 Hoeven; that was noble that was un- 
 paralleled. Upon my word, I would 
 gladly marry the girl - 
 
 VON HOEVEN: That would be properly taking 
 the consequences, my boy. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [shows the smallness of his 
 sow/]: But I am not the kind of a man to 
 take the consequences. --Ye gods, what 
 sort of a face my father would make to 
 that! 
 
 VON HOEVEN : It strikes me the old gentleman 
 will make a face as it is ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Yes, I suppose so! And after 
 all why should I consider the old man and 
 the whole collection of cousins and aunts?
 
 ACT iv TAPS 109 
 
 I'll manage them all some way! But see 
 here! Clara Lord knows I love the girl, 
 and her honest old father! The old veteran 
 has something about him to be almost 
 venerated. 
 
 VON HOEVEN [laughs lightly]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN : Fact, upon my word. I almost 
 reverence the old fellow. However, if those 
 were the only obstacles! No! I tell you I 
 simply could not endure the sudden appear- 
 ance of an uncle or brother-in-law who 
 would disclose himself a chimney sweep and 
 proffer me his soiled but honest hand of 
 toil. No, no, no! That I could not bear! 
 
 VON HOEVEN [after a long pause particularly 
 frosty]: Well, then the incident is closed. 
 Yes, and as that was the only way to cor- 
 rectly and honorably right the wrong you 
 have committed you will have to do the 
 best you can now and await developments. 
 And at least for the present it would be 
 senseless to discuss the matter further. 
 Don't you think so? Well good night, 
 Lauffen! Should you require my services 
 you know where. [Goes to door] Good night. 
 [Exits, after ignoring Lauffen's extended 
 hand.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [looks after him surprised and 
 dumbfounded, takes a few steps as if to fol- 
 low him, but does not do so. With a hopeless
 
 110 TAPS ACT IV 
 
 gesture he drops into chair. There is a knock 
 at the door. He does not hear it the first time. 
 At the second knock he jumps up startled.] 
 Well? What is it? 
 
 MICHALEK [enters. He is still buttoning his 
 blouse]: Isse de pan Sergeant Major! 
 
 VON LATJFFEN [with a start]: Who? 
 
 MICHALEK: Pan Sergeant Major respectfully 
 ask 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [after a moment's thought]: Let 
 him come in! 
 
 MICHALEK: Serrviss! [Steps back and opens 
 door for Volkhardt, who enters; after which 
 Michalek exits.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT [comes at once to attention. He is 
 without saber or belt, and carries his cap in 
 his hand. He still wears the ulanka with the 
 order of the iron cross, which he wore during 
 court-martial scene. This is the evening of 
 the same day. Long silence], 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [hoarsely, depressed]: You 
 wished to speak to me, Sergeant Major? 
 
 VOLKHARDT [heavily] : At your service, Lieu- 
 tenant. I have been waiting over yonder 
 in the dark till I saw a light here - 
 then I thought, now is the time; now you 
 can go over and here I am ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Yes, Sergeant Major! I- 
 believe we have something to say to each 
 other.
 
 ACT IV TAPS 111 
 
 VOLKIIARDT: At your service, Lieutenant! 
 We have! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN : M yes of course Ser- 
 geant Major [with sudden resolve] I have 
 done you a wrong! A wrong that can 
 never again be righted. And but stand 
 at ease, Sergeant Major! You're not on 
 duty now. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [drops his rigidity slightly and 
 tosses his cap on the desk]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Now, then! and for this I 
 humbly ask your pardon, Sergeant Major. 
 I earnestly beg your forgiveness. 'Pon my 
 word, Sergeant Major, I would give any- 
 thing in the world if it could be undone. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: That is scarcely possible, 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN : Unfortunately yes ! And 
 that is the worst, the maddening part of 
 it all. I have done you a wrong, and I can- 
 not make amends. [Hesitating] 'Sergeant 
 Major, shall I give you and Clara [is silent 
 under the fierce glances of the old man] My 
 God! I don't know what to do! You wanted 
 to speak to me. Perhaps you know a way. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [hoarsely] : At your service, Lieu- 
 tenant ! I know a way [as he pulls a revolver 
 from the breast pocket of his coat] here ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [bursting out] : Sergeant Major, 
 are you ! What does this mean?
 
 112 TAPS ACT iv 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Your pardon, Lieutenant, but 
 that seems clear enough. This is my 
 service revolver loaded! You have an- 
 other in there. That's regulation. [Points 
 to desk.] And I mean, as is custom in such 
 cases 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Sergeant Major, that is im- 
 possible. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [with gradually rising effect]: I 
 would respectfully remind the Lieutenant 
 that it is surely much more impossible that 
 things shall remain as they are. That I 
 shall be left with the girl on my hands 
 the people pointing their fingers at us 
 and that my honorable name is soiled and 
 befouled with impunity ! That is by 
 God that surely is impossible ! [Shout- 
 ing] There must be justice in the world ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Certainly there must be, Ser- 
 geant Major of course! But you must 
 see for yourself, that there may be cases 
 where even with the best intentions 
 with the very best intentions, Sergeant 
 Major - 
 
 CLARA [enters, and after a quick, worried 
 glance around, remains standing near the 
 door. Both men look at her in astonishment]. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [speaksjirst roughly] : You ? 
 What are you doing here? 
 
 CLARA [simply] : I followed you, father.
 
 ACT iv TAPS 113 
 
 VOLKHARDT : What ? What do you want 
 here? Yes, you! Get out! 
 
 CLARA: Since all this is on my account [de- 
 termined] I demand to be present. 
 
 VOLKHARDT: Yes! You're right! Look at 
 her, Lieutenant! Look at her standing 
 there. Doesn't she look like a good and 
 pure girl? Doesn't she look like innocence 
 herself? As if she were still my own dear 
 child, whom I trusted blindly, since I put 
 my boy under the sod out there! And 
 now I would rather she were lying in 
 the grave beside the boy, instead of her 
 shame and disgrace breaking her father's 
 heart. 
 
 CLARA [imploring but decided] : Father ! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [turns from her without answer, 
 toward Lauffen]: And now, when I seek 
 the man who is the cause of it all and ask 
 him for satisfaction [points to revolver]. 
 
 CLARA [frightened takes a step forward]. 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [avoiding yet in commanding 
 tone]: Sergeant Major, as you see, I've 
 allowed you to speak your mind without 
 interruption because I realize my guilt, 
 and admit that you have a right that 
 you are justified in your anger. But you 
 ask an impossibility. I cannot fight a non- 
 commissioned officer. I dare not! 
 
 VOLKHARDT [stepping back]: A non-commis-
 
 114 TAPS ACT iv 
 
 sioned officer? Why, of course! That's 
 what I am [with a bitter laugh] ! Your par- 
 don, Lieutenant. I had almost forgotten it ! 
 When a fellow has been regarded and es- 
 teemed in his regiment for years, as a sort 
 of a memento Old Volkhardt, the vet- 
 eran of the last war, who took part in the 
 great attack at Vionville, for which he 
 received the iron cross from the Emperor's 
 hands himself then he is liable to grow 
 presumptuous and forgetful of his real 
 station in life. Your pardon, Lieutenant; 
 I'm on earth again and I realize I am 
 not of equal rank and [pointing to Clara] 
 at that rate I suppose she may even 
 consider herself honored highly hon- 
 ored for she too belongs to the people 
 of the second class! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [sharply] : Sergeant Major, I 
 command you to be silent. Your language 
 is well-nigh treasonable. I warn you, you 
 are endangering your head as well as your 
 stripes. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [wildly] i Well, what of it, Lieu- 
 tenant von Lauffen? What more can I 
 lose than I have already? Am I not de- 
 graded enough? Degraded and full of con- 
 tempt for myself? [Laughs madly.] Old 
 fool that I've been. I imagined myself to 
 be somebody ! I have done my duty faith-
 
 ACT iv TAPS 115 
 
 fully for thirty-three long years, as if, by 
 God, as if my life depended on it. And 
 when at times the doubt did tempt me, be- 
 cause I couldn't rise above a certain grade, 
 I would say to myself: There, there, old 
 man, be content! Even your inferior 
 station has its honor. Its honor! Bah! 
 It was a lie and deception, and I myself 
 am the most deceived of all ! [Stops in his 
 excitement.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [sharply after trying several 
 times to interrupt him]: Sergeant Major! 
 Will you now come to your senses? 
 
 CLARA [has thrown herself into a chair, her 
 face hidden in her hands, looking up from 
 time to time in utter helplessness]. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [has not heard von Lauffen 
 partly to himself]: And this [taking hold 
 of the iron cross] When I fastened 
 it here this morning, I said to myself: 
 You are the only man in the regiment 
 possessing this. Not even the Colonel 
 And now! [Tears it off with trembling 
 hand.] Away with the bauble ! It's noth- 
 ing more than an ounce or two of old iron, 
 and may just as well rust in the dirt. 
 [Would throw it down, but hesitates.] And 
 yet I held it higher than anything else in 
 the world. I wanted it pinned on my 
 breast when once my last Taps had
 
 116 TAPS ACT iv 
 
 sounded, and I'm lowered into the ground, 
 six feet under the sod. But now, I don't 
 want to wear it any longer. I dare not 
 wear it any longer. Not a man like me! 
 [Shoves it on the desk in his rage] Not a 
 fellow like me ! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN: Sergeant Major! I must 
 earnestly request you to control yourself 
 now. All this you are saying is nonsense 
 sheer nonsense. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [slowly, as he is apparently awak- 
 ened to von Lauffen' s presence] : A while ago, 
 over there, while waiting in the dark, I was 
 tempted for a moment to end it all. 
 [Wildly] But no! Said I: The other 
 one must go too! And if he will not give 
 me my right [bursting out] then I'll 
 take it! [Suddenly raises his revolver at 
 von Lauffen.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [looks into his eyes without 
 flinching and doesn't move a muscle]. 
 
 CLARA: Father! [Throws herself in front of 
 him in order to shield Lauffen.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT [seizes her with his left hand and 
 pulls her to her knees with a mighty grip, 
 still keeping revolver leveled at von Lauffen. 
 He still aims. Suddenly his arm begins to 
 tremble. Slowly and reluctantly he lowers 
 the pistol. Gnashing half to himself] : I 
 can't do it I can't he's my superior
 
 ACT iv TAPS 117 
 
 officer. I can't do it. I'm too cowardly! 
 [Sobs in his rage.] I've obeyed obeyed 
 for thirty-three years and that has sapped 
 the marrow from my bones. Now I can't 
 even avenge myself. I'm a coward a 
 coward ! [Slowly collects himself bit- 
 terly] Once the father saved my life. Now 
 the son has taken it from me again. 
 [Straightens up, much quieter.] Our accounts 
 are squared! 
 
 CLARA [has half risen, as her father released 
 her]. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [looks at her for quite some time, 
 slowly stoops over her, as if he would kiss her 
 on the brow. Tears rolling down his cheeks] : 
 My poor, poor child. We two [with a sud- 
 den jerk he straightens up. Hard and 
 roughly]: Come! Get up! Let's get out of 
 here. We'll crawl away somewhere any- 
 where into a rat hole, so people can't 
 see us to point their fingers at us and 
 whisper: Do you see her over there? The 
 young one? And the old fellow? Don't 
 look at me like that! Not so quietly not 
 so calmly. I tell you, don't stand there as 
 you did this morning, when you exposed 
 your disgrace to the whole world, without 
 a single trace of shame. 
 
 CLARA [lowers her head slightly]. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [points to the door]: And now
 
 118 TAPS ACT iv 
 
 let's make an end of it ! [As she hesitates 
 threateningly] Go ! 
 
 CLARA [hesitating at first, then clearly and 
 resolutely]: No, father. I shall remain 
 with him! [Pointing to Lauffen] Now, 
 more than ever. You are doing him an 
 injustice. Had I remained strong, we 
 would all be standing here with upraised 
 heads. He, you and I. I bear all the blame 
 I alone. [Softly and gently, like a con- 
 fession] Because I loved him I could 
 not help myself I threw myself in his 
 
 way 
 
 VOLKHARDT [tottering puts his hand to his 
 brow] : Wha what are you saying? You 
 you threw yourself ? That's the sort 
 of a creature you are? You threw yourself 
 at him and when he's grown tired of you 
 you'll throw yourself at another one! So 
 that's what you are? [With a gurgling cry] 
 Then go to hell! [With lightning rapidity 
 raises the revolver and fires.] 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [cries out]: Sergeant Major! 
 [Rushes to him and tries to intercept him, 
 but is too late.] 
 
 CLARA [putting her hands to her bosom 
 sinks down with breaking voice]: Father, I 
 thank you! [Falls heavily to the floor.] 
 
 VOLKHARDT [watches her fall, horrified. The 
 pistol drops from his hand, and he seems
 
 ACT iv TAPS 119 
 
 slowly to comprehend what he has done. As 
 Lauffen would approach Clara, he motions 
 him back with a gesture] : Now she is mine 
 again ! [He kneels and gently takes her head 
 in his lap.] 
 
 CLARA [opens her eyes, leaves one hand to her 
 father, while searching with the other for von 
 Lauffen's. Softly]: Dearest! 
 
 VON LAUFFEN [sobbing, kneels down beside 
 her]. 
 
 CLARA [raises her head a trifle and smiles 
 weakly, then she falls back and dies]. 
 
 VOLKHARDT [slowly and carefully lowers her 
 to the floor, looks at her once more, rises 
 languidly. Then speaks reproachfully, but 
 calmly]: Now the Lieutenant can call the 
 Corporal of the Guard again. 
 [CURTAIN]
 
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