“May one call it an affaire de coeur?” asked Vassili, with his grim smile.

“Certainly. Are not all private affairs such, one way or the other?”

“And you want a passport?”

“Yes—a special one.”

“I will see what I can do.”

“Thank you.”

Vassili emptied his glass, drew in his feet, and glanced at the clock.

“But that is not all I want,” said De Chauxville.

“So I perceive.”

“I want you to tell me what you know of Prince Pavlo Alexis.”