"You!" ejaculated Steinmetz. "Stepan!"
"Yes. Come in and close the door."
He laid aside his pen, extended his hand, and, rising, kissed Karl
Steinmetz on both cheeks after the manner of Russians.
"Yes, my dear Karl. It seems that the good God has still a little work
for Stepan Lanovitch to do. I got away quite easily, in the usual way,
through a paid Evasion Agency. I have been forwarded from pillar to post
like a prize fowl, and reached Petersburg last night. I have not long to
stay. I am going south. I may be able to do some good yet. I hear that
Paul is working wonders in Tver."
"What about money?" asked Steinmetz, who was always practical.
"Catrina sent it, the dear child! That is one of the conditions made by
the Agency--a hard one. I am to see no relations. My wife--well, bon
Dieu! it does not matter much. She is occupied in keeping herself warm,
no doubt. But Catrina! that is a different matter. Tell me--how is she?
That is the first thing I want to know."
"She is well," answered Steinmetz. "I saw her yesterday."
"And happy?" The broad-faced man looked into Steinmetz's face with
considerable keenness.
"Yes."
It was a moment for mental reservations. One wonders whether such are
taken account of in heaven.
"And Paul?" asked the Count Stepan Lanovitch at once. "Tell me about
him.
Pages:
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201