Joannes Baptista Sproll becomes Bishop of the Diocese of Rottenburg in 1927. In the first photos, he had himself photographed with the crosier of his predecessor Paul Wilhelm Keppler. Since it was customary in earlier times to take over the staff of one’s predecessor, it was long thought that Sproll did not have one of his own. But how could this be done during his time as auxiliary bishop? Did Bishop Keppler and Auxiliary Bishop Sproll agree at the weekend who could use the baton and when? Inconceivable, says diocesan archivist Dr Herbert Aderbauer and sets out to find out.