"Papers ..." He had no papers. He drew out his pocketbook and looked into it; but besides some bills there was nothing in it but the proof-sheets of a story, which he had intended to correct at his journey's end. He was not fond of dealings with officials and had never had a passport filled out ...
"I am sorry," he said, "but I have no papers with me."
"Oh," said the policeman ... "None at all?--What is your name?"
Tonio Kröger answered him.
"Is that true?" said the policeman, straightening up and suddenly opening his nostrils as far as he could ...
"Quite true," answered Tonio Kröger.
"And what are you?"
Tonio Kröger swallowed and named his calling with firm voice.--Mr. Seehaase raised his head and looked curiously up into his face.
"Hm," said the policeman. "And you claim not to be identical with an individial named----" He said "individial" and then spelled from the curiously bescribbled piece of paper a most puzzling and romantic name, which seemed to have been freakishly composed of the sounds of various languages and which Tonio Kröger had forgotten the next moment. "--Who," he continued, "of unknown parentage and uncertain competence, is being sought by the Munich police on account of various swindles and other crimes, and is probably trying to flee to Denmark?"
"I do more than claim," said Tonio Kröger, making a nervous movement with his shoulders.--This created a certain impression.