perfumed]. Keep your hands off me. I haven't killed anyone.
Please, let me go.

STROEBEL [he has risen]. What's the matter?

POLICE OFFICER. [releasing her, stands at attention]. Have the
honor sir, to report this disreputable woman--the Hochstetter
person.

HAUTEVILLE. Please, help me, sir. I am being handled like the
commonest criminal.

STROEBEL. Why do you keep that hat on? You are not paying us a
visit?

HAUTEVILLE. Indeed not! I am not paying a visit. If I lived to be
a hundred, it would never occur to me to pay you a visit.

STROEBEL. Don't talk so much. Do you understand? [To Reisacher.]
Get your report book ready.

HAUTEVILLE. Is this the complaint office? I demand to know at
least why I was arrested.

STROEBEL. Oh, here you'll find that out soon enough. [To the
officer.] You can go now. [Officer exit through middle door.]

HAUTEVILLE. Oh, Monsieur, what shameful treatment. I was locked up
in a cell with two ordinary street walkers. You will help me,
won't you?