I proceeded to explain.
“No, as you very properly suggest, I could not hope to deceive Petrovitch’s friends, nor can I imitate his hand. But remember, that in a few days Petrovitch will have disappeared. What will have become of him, do you suppose?”
Breuil was still puzzled. I had to make my meaning still plainer.
“He will be in concealment—that is to say, in disguise.”
Breuil threw up his hands in a gesture of admiration.
“As the disguised Petrovitch I may manage to pass very well, more particularly as I shall be meeting people who have never seen the real Petrovitch.”
Breuil did not quite understand this last observation.
“I am going,” I exclaimed, “on board the Baltic Fleet.”
“Sir, you are magnificent!”
I frowned down his enthusiasm. Compliments are compliments only when they come from those who pay us, not from those whom we pay.