He was saving Etta, and he was ashamed of himself.
"When you have the information you may name your own price," said the
Russian coldly.
There was a long silence. Before speaking De Chauxville turned and took
a glass of liqueur from the table. His hand was not quite steady. He
raised the glass quickly and emptied it. Then he rose and looked at his
watch. The silence was a compact.
"When the lady dined with you in Paris, did she recognize you?" he
asked.
"Yes; but she did not know that I recognized her."
For the moment they both overlooked Steinmetz.
De Chauxville stood reflecting.
"And your theory," he said, "respecting Sydney Bamborough--what is it?"
"If he got away to Nijni and the Volga, it is probable that he is in
Eastern Siberia or in Persia at this moment. He has not had time to get
right across Asia yet."
De Chauxville moved toward the door. With his fingers on the handle he
paused again.
"I leave early to-morrow morning," he said.
Vassili nodded, or rather he bowed, in his grand way.
Then De Chauxville went out of the room. They did not shake hands. There
is sometimes shame among thieves.
CHAPTER XXVII
IN THE WEB
"What I propose is that Catrina takes you for a drive, my dear baron,
with her two ponies."
The countess had taken very good care to refrain from making this
proposal to Catrina alone.
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