“That is true, m’sieur; but then it is always safer to turn the face to—dangers, is it not?” He put so much emphasis on the word that I turned and looked at him.
“You think a good deal of the dangers, then, Pierre?”
“There is always danger in this Russia;” and he grimaced to show his French dislike of it.
“Yet you stay here.”
“I am only a valet, m’sieur, they pass over my head. But I have been fifteen years in the country and have seen many strange things.”
“If the Emperor were really going on this business, you think he would run big risks?”
“It may be different with you, m’sieur; you may be discovered in time. But if it were the Emperor, I should rub my hands with pleasure to see him return.”
“You take a cheerful view of things, Pierre. I expect you have a liver that troubles you.”
He threw up his hands and shoulders.
“Americans and English are the same and like mad risks. But I would not do this—no, not for the crown of Russia. I know what I know.”