“As much more when I come back safe,” was all I said.
Rostoy snatched at his pay, his eyes sparkling with greed.
“Good-by and a good journey!” he cried as I strode out.
Once in the street, I had no difficulty in finding a sleigh, this time an open one, to convey me to the railway station. I glanced at my watch, which I had set by the church clock, and calculated that I should have a few minutes to spare.
But I had not allowed for Russian ideas as to time. As the sleigh drew up at the great terminus, and I came in view of the station clock, I saw that it was on the stroke of midnight.
Flinging the driver his fare I rushed toward the barrier.
“Moscow!” I shouted to the railway official in charge.
“The train has just left,” was the crushing reply.