The Nut turned red.
"Yes, fatalitas," he said in a breath.
He paused. They pricked up their ears to the night, which still maintained its silence. After a while, not without embarrassment, the Captain went on:
"It's a password which was given to me by a friend of mine who is also, it seems, your friend."
"Yes, Monsieur," acquiesced Hilaire, with a bow, "a great friend; the best, the truest of friends, and also the most unfortunate."
"I owe everything to him," said the Captain simply. "He has saved my life again to-night."
Hilaire bowed again. Neither of them had mentioned the name of Chéri-Bibi, but they were both thinking of him.
"I will tell you what, in the name of this friend, I ask you to do," went on the Nut. "You will be able to say whether it's possible."
"What is it?"
"First I must apologize for not giving you my name, and I shall be thankful if you will not attempt to discover it."