Part 21 (1/2)
It was a quarter past ten when the company separated. Lermontoff stepped into his cab, and the driver went rattling up the street. In all the talk the Prince had said nothing of his own discovery, and now when he found himself alone his mind reverted to the material in his pocket, and he was glad the cabman was galloping his horse, that he might be the sooner in his workshop. Suddenly he noticed that they were das.h.i.+ng down a street which ended at the river.
”I say,” he cried to the driver, ”you've taken the wrong turning. This is a blind street. There's neither quay nor bridge down here. Turn back.”
”I see that now,” said the driver over his shoulder. ”I'll turn round at the end where it is wider.”
He did turn, but instead of coming up the street again, dashed through an open archway which led into the courtyard of a large building fronting the Neva. The moment the carriage was inside, the gates clanged shut.
”Now, what in the name of Saint Peter do you mean by this?” demanded the Prince angrily.
The cabman made no reply, but from a door to the right stepped a tall, uniformed officer, who said:
”Orders, your Highness, orders. The isvoshtchik is not to blame. May I beg of your Highness to accompany me inside?”
”Who the devil are you?” demanded the annoyed n.o.bleman.
”I am one who is called upon to perform a disagreeable duty, which your Highness will make much easier by paying attention to my requests.”
”Am I under arrest?”
”I have not said so, Prince Ivan.”
”Then I demand that the gates be opened that I may return home, where more important business awaits me than talking to a stranger who refuses to reveal his ident.i.ty.”
”I hope you will pardon me, Prince Lermontoff. I act, as the isvoshtchik has acted, under compulsion. My ident.i.ty is not in question. I ask you for the second time to accompany me.”
”Then, for the second time I inquire, am I under arrest? If so, show me your warrant, and then I will go with you, merely protesting that whoever issued such a warrant has exceeded his authority.”
”I have seen nothing of a warrant, your Highness, and I think you are confusing your rights with those pertaining to individuals residing in certain countries you have recently visited.”
”You have no warrant, then?”
”I have none. I act on my superior's word, and do not presume to question it. May I hope that you will follow me without a further parley, which is embarra.s.sing to me, and quite unhelpful to yourself. I have been instructed to treat you with every courtesy, but nevertheless force has been placed at my disposal. I am even to take your word of honor that you are unarmed, and your Highness is well aware that such leniency is seldom shown in St. Petersburg.”
”Well, sir, even if my word of honor failed to disarm me, your politeness would. I carry a revolver. Do you wish it?”
”If your Highness will condescend to give it to me.”
The Prince held the weapon, b.u.t.t forward, to the officer, who received it with a gracious salutation.
”You know nothing of the reason for this action?”
”Nothing whatever, your Highness.”
”Where are you going to take me?”
”A walk of less than three minutes will acquaint your Highness with the spot.”
The Prince laughed.
”Oh, very well,” he said. ”May I write a note to a friend who is waiting up for me?”