disappeared. The door had indeed been opened, a young girl - K. recognised the dark, slightly bulging eyes - stood in the hallway in a long white apron, holding a candle in her hand. “Next time, open up sooner!” said K.'s uncle instead of a greeting, while the girl made a slight curtsey. “Come along, Josef,” he then said to K.

who was slowly moving over towards the girl. “Dr. Huld is unwell,” said the girl as K.'s uncle, without stopping, rushed towards one of the doors. K. continued to look at the girl in amazement as she turned round to block the way into the living room, she had a round face like a puppy's, not only the pale cheeks and the chin were round but the temples and the hairline were too. “Josef!” called his uncle once more, and he asked the girl, “It's