“You are too much of a gentleman, of course, to intrude yourself upon us unannounced and listen to our private conversation.” There was an ominous suggestion of threat in the words, and behind them I could detect not a little anxiety and embarrassment.
One of the other officers gave a little sneering laugh.
“You wish to know whether I have overheard anything? I speak Russian, and as I entered I could not help hearing what was being said.”
A look of concern showed on all three faces as I spoke.
“You will have the goodness to repeat what you overheard,” said the elder man, his voice hardening and deepening.
I repeated in Russian almost word for word what had been said, and the man whose unguarded words I had overheard turned very white.
An embarrassing silence followed.
“And what meaning do you attach to the words, sir?”
“I do not see that they concern me, or that I am called upon to give any explanation,” I answered coolly.
“By God! you shall answer,” broke in impetuously and passionately the red-haired man, as he made a couple of strides toward me.