I let him go. ‘Well,’ I said, ‘who?’
He gazed up the street and down it, as though in search of help; but he found none.
‘Quickly,’ I said. ‘Before I count three; one—two——’
‘Mazeppa the Cossack,’ he muttered. ‘But for the sake of all good saints let him not know that I told thee.’
‘Thanks, friend,’ I said. ‘Be sure I shall not. You were to watch where I went: is that it?’
‘Where you went and whom you spoke to and all you did.’
‘Did you follow me yesterday, then?’
‘All day long; it was yesterday early at morn that I took the Cossack’s orders.’
‘Good. Well, I shall not tell of thee. Meanwhile here is a rouble; and if thou art wise, continue in the pay of Mazeppa, for he shall know nothing of this; only do not follow me; take his money but remain at home: do you understand?’
The fellow laughed and thanked me and went his way: I had no fear that I should see any more of him.