COMMISSIONER. Assessor Stroebel,--Freiherr von Schmettau, Adjutant to his Highness, Prince Emil. [Stroebel clicks his heels together and bows deeply. Schmettau thanks him curtly.] COMMISSIONER [sharply]. Herr Assessor, I have asked Herr Baron Schmettau to come with me in order that in his presence I might correct a pitiable lack of tact, which to my regret, and contrary to all my intentions, was perpetrated by Lieutenant Schmuttermaier. SCHMETTAU. It was abominable. COMMISSIONER. What orders did that man have? STROEBEL [nervously]. Do you mean in the case of Hochstetter, Commissioner? COMMISSIONER. Yes, sir, Madame de Hauteville, Who made the raid on her apartment? STROEBEL. The raid? COMMISSIONER. I hope before you arrested her you informed yourself exactly with whom you were dealing. STROEBEL. Certainly ... COMMISSIONER.... And the result? STROEBEL. I ascertained that this woman was violating public decency. COMMISSIONER. I am going to ask you, Assessor, as my inferior in office, to confine yourself to more direct answers, PLEASE. What did the investigation disclose? STROEBEL. That she received questionable visits from gentlemen. COMMISSIONER. Questionable? Then does Schmuttermaier know who these gentlemen were? STROEBEL. He does not ... COMMISSIONER. No? Didn't he investigate a matter which seemed so questionable to him? STROEBEL. He just wanted to ascertain that these visits were meant for Hauteville. COMMISSIONER. So--? I have some truly competent officials. And who and what it was did not bother the man at all? STROEBEL. I myself thought that that would be found out later. COMMISSIONER. There are certain things in the world you would not be likely to look for and less likely to find. You have been treating this thing as though you were dealing with a common ordinary pickpocket. [To Baron Sckmettau.] You see it is just as I told you ... the man did not have the slightest idea.... [To Stroebel.] Did this fellow, Schmuttermaier, see anyone in the flat or did he hear if anyone was there? STROEBEL. No, Commissioner. COMMISSIONER [to Baron Schmettau]. It is just as I told you.... STROEBEL. Furthermore, I have heard since that there was somebody in the apartment. COMMISSIONER [quickly]. Who? STROEBEL. That, I have been unable to find out yet, but Hauteville made several insinuations as though someone had been hidden in a wardrobe. COMMISSIONER.[to Baron Schmettau]. To be sure--someone--was--To my profoundest regret, His Highness, our beloved Hereditary Prince Emil. STROEBEL [crushed]. I ... didn't have the slightest idea ... COMMISSIONER. You people ought to have an idea once in a while. If this Schmuttermaier had any ability, it would not have happened. But it is the old story, not a trace of independent ability and tact. STROEBEL. I don't know what apology I can offer. COMMISSIONER. Neither do I. Besides Herr Baron Schmettau himself was obliged to go through this very unpleasant incident.