(Saluting) Captain of the Victorious Army, at your service.

CHIEF OF POLICE
(Saluting) Chief of the August Police, at yours.

CAPTAIN OF MILITARY
(Bowing) I am honoured.

CHIEF OF POLICE
(Bowing) I am overwhelmed.

ISHAK
Come, Sirs, brush away, I implore you, the cobwebs of ceremony
with the broom of expedition.

CHIEF OF POLICE
Sir, when men of action meet, the place of the man of letters
is inside his pencase.
CAPTAIN OF MILITARY
A moment! Ere we proceed, Chief of Police, may I ask why this man
is undergoing punishment?

CHIEF OF POLICE
Since your excellency deigns to enquire, for urgent reasons of police.

CAPTAIN OF MILITARY
They must have been very urgent indeed before you would permit
such an inopportune disturbance outside the very house where
our Lord the Caliph is imprisoned. You have seriously impaired
our chances of a speedy and effective rescue.