“For aiding Ivan Snokoff to get away without paying his just debts.”
“I did not aid him, no, no! When he went I thought all was right—I did not learn the truth until later. I have lost much myself, for I thought I was to have a steady position with him.”
“How much do you want me to pay you?”
“Not much, sire, no. Surely you will never miss ten rubles,” went on the young Russian, mentioning a sum less than eight dollars, a Russian ruble being worth, at the present time, 76 to 78 cents.
“Can you give me information of value?”
“I think I can.”
“Then tell me what you know, and if the news is worth anything you shall have your money.”
“Ah, I knew the American would be generous to a poor Russian—the United States is a great country.”
“What do you know?”
“It is of Captain Barusky that I would speak—he who comes of a most honorable family.”