Innumerable details had been asked of me about my name and initials and about my parents’ names and initials,—some of which I could not satisfactorily write out.
The functionaries at the office, too, had appeared unnecessarily amused when I told them that I lodged in Ferdinand Bolstraat above a tinsmith’s. On thinking it over afterwards I admit that perhaps I had mixed the word tinsmith with lightning conductor. I was naturally anxious to avoid the latter scientific term as much as possible; and my over anxiety probably defeated itself.
At all events I was told at the Bureau that it was quite a serious offence—a sort of mild treason—to move from my hotel to lodgings without giving full information about the whole matter to the civic dignitaries.
Now, as everybody was so particular about addresses, I knew that van der Leeuwen had more respect for the laws of his country than to be guilty of intentional carelessness; and I was sure he would not try to defy the state by pasting upon his door anything of the nature of mockery. The notice did look like this: “Out of town. If you want to see me, go to Jericho;” but my friend would hardly have meant that.
THE OPENBARE MACHT.
I concluded therefore that Mr. Hiernaast’s address was known to everybody that read the notice, and that Mr. Hiernaast was some prominent person like the Burgomaster or the Town-clerk.
Perhaps he would be an official who kindly looked after people’s letters when they were out of town. If so, a policeman would know all about him. There was one passing at the moment, so I determined to accost him and get what information I could.
Now Enderby and others had instructed me about policemen. You must never say “Mijnheer” to a policeman; he doesn’t like it, for he thinks you are making game of him. That’s where I had made the mistake before, in the Hague wood. I learnt that his proper title is ‘politieagent’ or ‘agent’; the newspapers call him ‘openbare macht’. If he comes from Amsterdam he will answer readily to klabak or smeeris, though he may prefer a more dignified title. He is known to the mob as a ‘diender’, but this is rather vulgar.
Naturally I wished to avoid the vulgar word and use a respectful term; so stopping him I said, “Openbare Macht, verschoon mij,—zult gij mij toestaan om U beleefd te verzoeken,—waar woont mijnheer Hiernaast?”