Page 24 (1/2)

"You speak Russian?" he de a step towards

ton" I purposely made my reply as curt as his question,

and I saw the shadow of a smile flit across his features I knew then

that I had taken the right course with him

"What is your nationality?"

"I am an American"

"Do you knoho I am?"

"I do, your majesty" This time I boith ly, and in a voice et that you do know It is more than likely that ill have many

interviews of this kind and I wish them all to be on the plane of

equals That, I believe, is a condition which will coh it would be utterly impossible to a European

Are you as well acquainted with the identity of your coret to say that I a into my forton, the Prince Michael

Michaelovitch Gortshakoff And now that you know each other, ill

proceed But first, be seated"

My business during several years had taken

situations, but never into one so astounding as this I rackedif it were real, or

if it were only the "hearty ed to ask

a few questions, but reiventhe room, I refrained

"You will be surprised to learn that I am entirely aware of the object