In this ever-topical satire of small-town corruption and cravenness, bumbling and inefficient town officials are thrown into a panic when they learn that a Government Inspector is coming, perhaps incognito. When a well-dressed rogue arrives, he quickly realizes he is presumed to be the Inspector and takes advantage of the officials' dinners, bribes, etc. When the officials realize their mistake-just after the rogue leaves-the real Inspector arrives.