“I can give you an instance,” said Ferrand, “of what can be done by resolution. One day in a German town, 'etant dans la misere', I decided to try the French consul. Well, as you know, I am a Fleming, but something had to be screwed out somewhere. He refused to see me; I sat down to wait. After about two hours a voice bellowed: 'Has n't the brute gone?' and my consul appears. 'I 've nothing for fellows like you,' says he; 'clear out!'
“'Monsieur,' I answered, 'I am skin and bone; I really must have assistance.'
“'Clear out,' he says, 'or the police shall throw you out!'
“I don't budge. Another hour passes, and back he comes again.
“'Still here?' says he. 'Fetch a sergeant.'
“The sergeant comes.
“'Sergeant,' says the consul, 'turn this creature out.'
“'Sergeant,' I say, 'this house is France!' Naturally, I had calculated upon that. In Germany they're not too fond of those who undertake the business of the French.
“'He is right,' says the sergeant; 'I can do nothing.'
“'You refuse?'