“You can go. Oh, by the way,” he added in a tone of indifference; “your manservant has been brought here with your luggage from Bratinsk.”
Something in his manner struck me. His indifference seemed forced. “Is he a prisoner?” I asked.
“Oh, no. Not now.”
“Let him bring my things to the Vladimir.”
He struck his table bell. “This gentleman has been brought here needlessly,” he said to the man who came. “He has certain instructions to give about his manservant. See that they are carried out. Good-night, Mr. Anstruther.”
I left the message for Felsen, and as I was passing out I saw Burski. He gave me a quick glance of congratulation.
“I am going, you see,” I said.
“I did no more than my duty,” he answered, for those about us to hear.
“I have no grudge against you. I hope you will always do no less than your duty.”
He noticed the equivocal phrase. “I think I can be depended upon,” was his equally ambiguous reply.