You ought to know that his excellency will receive no man in your condition.

If you do not stop hammering on those bars, I shall send for the police." The carter thrust a hand through the grill.

There was a ring on one of his fingers.
"Imbecile, set your eye on that and admit me without more ado!" The majordomo was thunderstruck.

Indeed, a blast from the heavens would have jarred him less.
"Open, then!" The majordomo threw back the bolts and the carter pushed his way in.
That ring on the carter's finger?
The majordomo felt himself slipping into a fantastic dream.
"Take me to the baron." Vastly subdued the majordomo preceded the carter into the office of the embassy.

There he left the strange guest and went in search of the baron.