Part 22 (1/2)
”I dare not leave the door,” said the soldier.
Lermontoff pressed the b.u.t.ton, and presently an attendant came to learn what was wanted.
”Will you ask the captain to come here?”
The steward departed, and shortly after returned with a big, bronzed, bearded man, whose bulk made the stateroom seem small.
”You sent for the captain, and I am here.”
”So am I,” said the Prince jauntily. ”My name is Lermontoff. Perhaps you have heard of me?”
The captain shook his s.h.a.ggy head.
”I am a Prince of Russia, and by some mistake find myself your pa.s.senger instead of spending the night in my own house. Where are you taking me, Captain?”
”It is forbidden that I should answer questions.”
”Is it also forbidden that I should go on deck?”
”The General said you were not to be allowed to leave this stateroom, as you did not give your parole.”
”How can I escape from a steamer in motion, Captain?”
”It is easy to jump into the river, and perhaps swim ash.o.r.e.”
”So he is a general, is he? Well, Captain, I'll give you my parole that I shall not attempt to swim the Neva on so cold a night as this.”
”I cannot allow you on deck now,” said the Captain, ”but when we are in the Gulf of Finland you may walk the deck with the sentry beside you.”
”The Gulf of Finland!” cried Lermontoff. ”Then you are going down the river?”
The big Captain looked at him with deep displeasure clouding his brow, feeling that he had been led to give away information which he should have kept to himself.
”You are not going up to Schlusselburg, then?”
”I told your Highness that I am not allowed to answer questions. The General, however, has given me a letter for you, and perhaps it may contain all you may want to know.”
”The General has given you a letter, eh? Then why don't you let me have it?”
”He told me not to disturb you to-night, but place it before you at breakfast to-morrow.”
”Oh, we're going to travel all night, are we?”
”Yes, Excellency.”
”Did the General say you should not allow me to see the letter to-night?”
”No, your Excellency; he just said, 'Do not trouble his Highness to-night, but give him this in the morning.'”