“No, sire, it is true. I was seventeen when I was married, and Ulma, my wife, was but fifteen.”
“Do you mean to say you need money?”
“It is true. Ivan Snokoff left me without work, and owing me money. I have next to nothing saved. To-day I am moving my family to poorer quarters. In another two weeks my money will all be gone.”
“What has all this to do with me?”
“’Tis plain enough, sire. You need information, Nicholas Vanskynov needs money. Let us make an exchange.”
“You will tell me something of value if I will pay you for it?”
“Yes.”
“How much do you want?”
Again the young Russian shrugged his shoulders.
“What shall I say? You are a rich man and will never miss a few rubles.”