It is important to choose the moment when Popof is sound asleep.
It is not necessary for the interview to be a long one.

That the gallant fellow should be reassured--that is the essential point--and he will be, as soon as I have made his acquaintance.

A little information concerning him, concerning Mademoiselle Zinca Klork, whence he comes, why he is going to Pekin, why he chose such a mode of transport, his provisions for the journey, how he gets into the case, his age, his trade, his birthplace, what he has done in the past, what he hopes to do in the future, etc., etc., and I have done all that a conscientious reporter can do.

That is what I want to know; that is what I will ask him.

It is not so very much.
And in the first place let us wait until the car is asleep.