Part 3 (1/2)
”I proeons, and that you shall not be concerned in this matter”
”But ill do it, Excellency?” asked another member
”That is too i of all the brethren For my part, I would not carry out such an order unless I received the instructions of our President”
”I promise that none of you shall take a risk,” sneered Boolba ”Now speak, Yakoff!”
The man who had accompanied Sophia Kensky smiled importantly at the company, then turned to Sophia
”Must I say this before Sophia Kensky?” he asked
”Speak,” said Boolba ”We are all brothers and sisters, and none will betray you”
Yakoff cleared his throat
”When your Excellency wrote toan--an evidently rehearsed speech, ”I tore my hair, I wept----”
”Tell us what you have done,” said the impatient Boolba ”For what does it matter, in the name of the saints and the holyBoolba, crossed himself) ”whether your hair was torn or your head was hammered?”
”It was a difficult task, Excellency,” said Yakoff in a ood coeoisie by relieving theoods----”
”A thief, yes,” said Boolba
”Through hiland and was in hiding This man is a professional assassin”
They looked at him incredulously, all except Boolba, who had heard the story before
”An assassin?” said one ”Of what nationality?”
”Ahter
”It is true,” interrupted Boolba ”This man, whoun- which was hunted down by the police, and our comrade escaped”
”But an American!” persisted one of the unconvinced
”An American,” said Yakoff ”Thiswith our other coun-lish ith soun- up
Yakoff nodded
”Does he know----”