Part 33 (2/2)
I could not see how my innocent conversation with the fat Jewish housewife could endanger the safety of either of us; but I had already learned that it was quite useless to argue with Mishka; so, adopting Brer Fox's tactics, ”I lay low and said nuffin” We smoked in silence for soeness of my position I had determined to return to Russia in search of Anne; had hailed Mishka's intervention, seized on the opportunity provided by the Grand Duke's invitation, as if they were God-sent And yet here I was, seeland, playing ame that I did not understand in the least
The landlord entered presently, and obsequiously beckoned Mishka to the far end of the room, where they held a whispered conversation, which I tried not to listen to, though I could not help overhearing frequent references to the _starosta_ (mayor), an important functionary in a town of this size, and the coarrison From reat nu unusual in the presence of such a strong military force I, of course, did not know
Mishka crossed over toout for a tio for a stroll later,” I replied It had occurred to arded me almost as a prisoner, and I wanted to make sure on that point
”Please yourself,” he returned in his sullen , and observe caution If there should be any disturbance in the streets, keep out of it; or, if you should be within here, close the shutters and put the lights out”
”All right I guess I'm fairly well able to take care of ht have given e common sense, anyhow!
I went out soon after he did, more as a kind of assertion of my independence than because I was inclined for a walk It was some time since I'd been so many hours in the saddle as I had that day, and I was dead tired
It was a glorious autulow of the sunset still lingering in the western sky, though the hts of the streets and shops The sidewalks--a trifle cleaner and ed with passers;in their disreputably slovenly unifored Russian wo who looked like a Jewess; though there were Jews in plenty, slinking along unobtrusively, and eying the Russian soldiers and townslances coood deal of attention; a foreigner was evidently an unusual object in that town But I was not really norance of the many and free remarks passed on my personal appearance
I walked on, almost to the outskirts of the little town, and turned to retrace my steps, when I aylaid by a pedler, who had passed me a minute or so before He looked just like scores of others I had seen within the last few minutes, except that he carried a s on his thick staff like aday's tramp
Now I found he had halted, and as I came abreast with hiesture For a , but his first words dispelled that notion
”Is it wise of the English excellency to walk abroad alone,--here?” he asked earnestly, in a voice and patois that sounded queerly familiar I stopped short and stared at hih as yet he had not recognized ner
He was the old Jeho had coht of Cassavetti's murder!
[Illustration: _Then, in a flash, I knew hie 228]
CHAPTER xxxV
A BAFFLING INTERVIEW
”It is less safe than the streets of London, perhaps,” I said quietly, in Russian ”But what of that? And how long is it since you left there, my friend?”
He peered at raceful gesture he had used before I'd have known the h in some ways he looked different now, less frail and eor about hiht him
”The excellency et to London?”
”That is for you to say I know only that you are the ot to come and see me, at once, at the inn kept by Moses Barzinsky”
”Speak lower, Excellency,” he stao back to your inn You are in danger, as all strangers are here; yea, and all others! That is why I warned you But you mistake I am not the o on my way”