STROEBEL [formally]. Come in!

BEERMANN [enters hastily from the left. He breathes heavily. He
has a handkerchief in his hand, with which he frequently mops his
brow]. Is this the proper department at last? I am being sent all
around the building. [Breathing heavily.] I hope I am finally in
the proper bureau.

STROEBEL. What do you want?

BEERMANN. Pardon me for a moment while I catch my breath. I
climbed twice to the third floor and again down to the ground
floor. The Commissioner sent me to room 147 and there they told me
to go to room 174.

STROEBEL. Who sent you?

BEERMANN [taking a deep breath]. The Commissioner. I really wanted
to speak to him personally, but he told me I should go to the
gentleman who has "Morality." Are you the gentleman who has all
the morality?

STROEBEL. Certainly.

BEERMANN. At last. [Mopping his braze.] Good God? when a matter is
so urgent and so much depends on it they ought not to chase one
all over the building. I must rest a bit. All this excitement and
running up and down stairs. ... So you are the gentleman who has
the matter in hand.