"Sir," he said, "you are the first person to walk into my rooms without
being properly announced."
The Prussian began to bully and threaten, but without heeding him M.
Max sent one of his staff to fetch the intruder's superior officer,
General von Arnim. The general came, heard of his subordinate's
rudeness, and sentenced him on the spot to eleven days' arrest. Then he
turned to M. Max.
"Now, sir," he said, "the conversation can continue."
"Pardon, general," replied the Burgomaster, "it can now commence."