[Minossleeping. To him enter, first a cloud of tobacco-smoke; secondly the bowl, and thirdly the stem, of a gigantic meerschaum; fourthly the phantasm of Herr Niemand, carrying a pile of phantom-books, the works of Euclid's Modern Rivals, phantastically bound.]

Niemand. The first author we have to consider is M. Legendre, is it not?

Minos. (aside) Not a single word of greeting! He plunges in medias res with a more fearful suddenness than Euclid himself! (Aloud) It is so, mein lieber Herr.

Nie. No time to waste in civil speeches! It is for you to question, for me to answer. I have read M. Legendre's book. Ach! It is beautiful! You shall find in it no flaw!

Min. I do not expect to do so.