“Rather sudden, wasn’t it?”
I smiled meaningly, as I retorted,
“You remember he fainted rather unexpectedly that night he dined with me.”
A look of relief broke out on Vassileffsky’s face, as I thus referred to an incident which he naturally supposed could be known only to Petrovitch.
“My dear fellow, I beg a thousand pardons for my stupid conduct last night,” he burst out. “But you must admit that your disguise is extraordinary.”
“Not a word!” I returned. “It is always better to err on the side of distrust. Besides, I wished to spend a night on your ship in any case. Your crew can be thoroughly depended on, if I am any judge.”
“They would bombard the Tower of London, if I gave the word,” boasted Vassileffsky.
It is extraordinary how widely the belief prevails on the Continent of Europe that the London Tower is still a fortress, charged with the protection of the British capital.
“At all events, they will not be frightened by the sight of the Union Jack?” I returned.
The Russian officer gave me an alarmed glance.