The police officer, upon hearing the name Robespierre and its inclusion of "de," aware that he belonged to the petty nobility, spoke with a hint more courtesy, "May I ask, have you applied for a permit to speak here?"
According to current regulations, one needs to apply in advance for public speaking in public places.
Of course, normally, no one cared about this rule, but if caught red-handed by the police, it had to be strictly enforced.
"I..." Robespierre suddenly looked utterly embarrassed.
Just as the few nobles he had been fighting with showed gloating expressions, a young man wearing a blue-gray coat with his hair standing on end hurried over and said to Robespierre, "Ma, Maxim, I, I finally fou, found you."
He then turned to the policeman beside him:"Sir, what's, what's going on here?"
