Fairly nonplussed, the Captain blurted out,
“I should like two thousand.”
I shook my head.
“I can let you have only a thousand now, but you shall have the balance this day week.” I counted the thousand rubles, and handed them to him. “They are grumbling, rather, in Berlin over the expense.”
It was, of course, my object to give Vassileffsky no opening for a cross-examination, but to take it for granted that we were on confidential terms.
At the word “Berlin” he opened his eyes pretty wide.
“Does this money come from Germany?” he exclaimed, half-withdrawing his hand.
I affected surprise in my turn.
“You have not received any information at all, apparently! My message must have miscarried. Didn’t the Princess see you?”