“What about?” asked the doctor, while his face displayed still greater astonishment.
“Come, doctor, there’s no need to be on your guard. We are alone. You have sound-proof, double doors. Sit down and let’s talk.”
He took a chair. The doctor sat down opposite him, looking more and more surprised. And Siméon proceeded with his statement:
“I am a Greek subject. Greece is a neutral; indeed, I may say, a friendly country; and I can easily obtain a passport and leave France. But, for personal reasons, I want the passport made out not in my own name but in some other, which you and I will decide upon together and which will enable me, with your assistance, to go away without any danger.”
The doctor rose to his feet indignantly.
Siméon persisted:
“Oh, please don’t be theatrical! It’s a question of price, is it not? My mind is made up. How much do you want?”
The doctor pointed to the door.
Siméon raised no protest. He put on his hat. But, on reaching the door, he said:
“Twenty thousand francs? Is that enough?”