"Part of my job. Don't you think I am more handsome now?"
Anastina laughed shrilly. "That bulbous nose handsome? What woman could fall in love with a nose like that?"
"It shows determination. I wish I had this nose permanently."
"You mustn't talk like that. But I'll ignore your nose if you tell me more about White Sands Proving Grounds, as you promised."
"With pleasure, with pleasure," he said, sinking his teeth into a pork chop, having seasoned the chop with the soft-boiled egg yolk. "But right now I'm in a hurry to get to the Palace. Give my shoes an extra shine, there's a good girl."
"Oh, you and your secrets!"
An hour later, Pashkov landed on the Palace roof in Colonel James' flier—an exact copy of his own flier. The Palace roof captain stared at him, then smiled nervously.
"They are waiting for you in the Gustavus room, Colonel."
"Colonel? Do I still look like Colonel James?"
"Oh, no, sir."