“I have not yet called,” replied Peter. “I know little about the Ataman.”
“You have heard about him here in Chita. Surely, you must have formed some opinion.”
“No,” said Peter dryly. “If I had, I doubt if I would discuss it.”
“Now, now,” said Shimilin, not in the least offended by Peter’s reluctance to discuss the Ataman, “I know all that. But what do the Americans—the American army in Vladivostok—think of Zorogoff?”
Shimilin’s curiosity on that score seemed without limit.
“I doubt if they have given him much thought,” said Peter. “But about this gentleman here—I am sorry that you want to arrest him. And in my room.”
“What does that matter?” asked the Cossack.
“But little,” agreed Peter, who felt that he could have his way with Shimilin if the Cossack believed that Peter was not seriously opposed to having Michael taken. For Peter knew that a Cossack can be cajoled when open antagonism only strengthens his resistance.
“True,” said Shimilin, with a smile. “We need have no quarrel. And being a soldier, you know what duty means—I must obey my orders at all cost. I am glad that you have sensible ideas.”
Captain Shimilin evidently took it for granted that Peter had decided not to interfere, but would allow Michael to go with the Cossack. Still, Shimilin took no action. It appeared that he wished to prolong his conversation with Peter, and his eyes when he looked at Peter were frankly curious.