had pushed a drinking straw through a crack between the planks and was moving it slowly up and down. “You still don't seem to have much general idea of what the court's about”, said the painter, who had stretched his legs wide apart and was tapping loudly on the floor with the tip of his foot.

“But as you're innocent you won't need it anyway. I'll get you out of this by myself.” “How do you intend to do that?” asked K. “You did say yourself not long ago that it's quite impossible to go to the court with reasons and proofs.” “Only impossible for reasons and proofs you take to the court yourself” said the painter, raising his forefinger as if K. had failed to notice a fine distinction. “It goes differently if you try to do something behind the public court,