The story of Max's arrest was characteristic.
He was busy at the Hotel de Ville with his colleagues when a peremptory message arrived from Von der Goltz, bidding him come at once to an interview.
"I cannot come at once!" said Max, "I am occupied in an important conference with my colleagues. I'll come at half-past four o'clock."
Presently the messenger returned.
"Monsieur Max, will you come at once!" he said in a worried manner. "Von der Goltz is angry!"
"I am busy with my work!" replied Max imperturbably. "As I said before, I shall be with Von der Goltz at four-thirty."
At four-thirty he went off, accompanied by his colleagues, and a dramatic conference took place between the Germans and Belgians.
Max now fearlessly informed the Germans that he considered it would be unfair for Brussels to pay any more at present of the indemnity put upon it by Germany.
One reason he gave was very simple.
The Germans had posted up notices in the city, declaring that in future they would not pay for anything required for the service of the German Army, but would take whatever they wanted, free.