Part 40 (1/2)

”How much can you do with till the fleet sails?” I asked, still in the same matter-of-fact tone.

Fairly nonplussed, the Captain blurted out,

”I should like two thousand.”

I shook my head.

”I can let you have only a thousand now, but you shall have the balance this day week.” I counted the thousand rubles, and handed them to him. ”They are grumbling, rather, in Berlin over the expense.”

It was, of course, my object to give Va.s.sileffsky no opening for a cross-examination, but to take it for granted that we were on confidential terms.

At the word ”Berlin” he opened his eyes pretty wide.

”Does this money come from Germany?” he exclaimed, half-withdrawing his hand.

I affected surprise in my turn.

”You have not received any information at all, apparently! My message must have miscarried. Didn't the Princess see you?”

Va.s.sileffsky looked still more surprised. His demeanor taught me a good deal. I saw that Petrovitch had not trusted him very far. The financier had evidently kept all the threads of the intrigue in his own hands, as far as possible.

So much the better, I reflected. His removal would disorganize matters even more thoroughly than I had ventured to hope.

”What Princess?” the Captain asked.

”The Princess Y----, of course.”

He brightened up a little, as though this name, at all events, was familiar.

”No, she has not been here.”

”One can never trust these women,” I muttered aloud. ”She has not been at all the same since the death of her Englishman.”

”Of Sterling, do you mean?”

”Yes. You heard of it, I suppose?”

Va.s.sileffsky grinned.

”Rather sudden, wasn't it?”

I smiled meaningly, as I retorted,

”You remember he fainted rather unexpectedly that night he dined with me.”

A look of relief broke out on Va.s.sileffsky's face, as I thus referred to an incident which he naturally supposed could be known only to Petrovitch.

”My dear fellow, I beg a thousand pardons for my stupid conduct last night,” he burst out. ”But you must admit that your disguise is extraordinary.”

”Not a word!” I returned. ”It is always better to err on the side of distrust. Besides, I wished to spend a night on your s.h.i.+p in any case. Your crew can be thoroughly depended on, if I am any judge.”