Part 27 (2/2)

It was more than a squeeze, it was a torture, but the door closed on theh, but he checked it at the sound of a voice--for it was the voice of Boolba

”I cannot stay very long, co as he entered the room, ”but”

The rest was a mumble

”I will see that she is kept by herself,” said a strange voice, evidently of someone in authority at the prison

Malcolm bit his lips to check the cry that rose

”Irene!”

”” Boolba's deep voice was again a ru her inlet me lead you to a chair”

He evidently went to the door and called, and immediately there was a tramp of feet

”What does this mean, Boolba?”

Malcolm knew the voice--he had heard it before--and his relief was such that all sense of his own danger passed

”Sophia Kensky,” Boolba was speaking now, ”you are under arrest by order of the Soviet”

”Arrest!” the as screaainst the Revolution, and your wickedness has been discovered,” said Boolba ”_Matinshka!_ Little mama, it is ordered!”

”You lie! You lie!” she screeched ”You blind devil--I spit on you! You arrest !”

”_Prekanzeno, dushi+nka!_ It is ordered, dear little soul,”I go back alone, _drushka_, and who shall be one?”

They heard the chair pushed back as he rose and the scream and flurry as she leapt at him

”Keep her away, little comrade,” roared Boolba ”Keep her away--I am blind; her father blinded me; keep her away!”

It was Cherry Bim who slipped first frouns the soldiers fell back

”Auto Russki--hold up the guard, Hay,” he h the doorway to the step of the big car in one bound

Cherry held the rooual There was a shot outside before he fired three ti the door, and juateway

Malcolm was on one footboard, Malinkoff by the side of the chauffeur on the other

So they rocked through the ill-paved streets of Moscow, and rushed the suburban barricade without mishap