“Certainly,” said K. , “but I understand better still that a terrible abuse of my case, and probably of the law, is being carried on. As for me, I shall know how to protect myself against it.”
“How will you do it?” asked the Superintendent.
“I’m not at liberty to reveal that,” said K.
“I don’t want to press myself upon you,” said the Superintendent, “only I would like you to reflect that in me you have—I won’t say a friend, for we’re complete strangers of course—but to some extent a business friend. The only thing I will not agree to is that you should be taken on as Land Surveyor, but in other matters you can draw on me with confidence, frankly to the extent of my power, which isn’t great.”
“You always talk of the one thing,” said K. , “that I shan’t be taken on as Land Surveyor, but I’m Land Surveyor already, here is Klamm’s letter.”
“Klamm’s letter,” said the Superintendent. “That’s valuable and worthy of respect on account of Klamm’s signature which seems to be genuine,