STROEBEL. All that must remain a mistake?
HAUTEVILLE. It simply must not have happened. No one broke into my
apartment. No one arrested me. No one compelled anyone to hide in
the wardrobe.
STROEBEL [shouts.] And no one ever saw such an insolent female.
HAUTEVILLE. This browbeating.
STROEBEL. It is meant for such as you.
HAUTEVILLE. [indignantly stopping her ears]. It reminds one so
much of the tin plates and the comb.
STROEBEL [angrily pacing the room]. I never heard anything like
it. Picture it! She makes insinuations as though we had something
to be afraid of. [He stops pacing and faces her.] You evidently
imagine that the whole government would run away from you.
HAUTEVILLE. No, but it ran away from your Lieutenant.
STROEBEL. Where?
HAUTEVILLE. Into the wardrobe.
STROEBEL [pacing up and down]. I will bring that fellow out of
your wardrobe. I will bring him to light. Into bright daylight!
[Remains standing in front of Hauteville.] What did you say?
HAUTEVILE. Non.
STROEBEL [resuming his pacing']. One of those fine fellows who
wallow in the mire and then expect us to make exceptions. [Stops
pacing, facing Hauteville.] What were you saying?
HAUTEVILLE. Nothing.
STROEBEL. Sad enough that now and again a halfway decent person
strays into your place.
HAUTEVILLE. He can only regret that he was disturbed.
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