Moshkin drawled out his words with artless carelessness: “I don’t exactly know. I’ve come in answer to an announcement. I’ve received a letter, but the name is not signed. Only the address is given. Who lives at No. 57?”
“Madame Engelhardova,” said the porter.
“Engelhardt?” asked Moshkin.
The porter repeated: “Engelhardova.”
Moshkin smiled. “And what’s her Russian name?”
“Elena Petrovna,” the porter answered.
“Is she a bad-tempered hag?” asked Moshkin for some reason or other.
“No-o, she’s a young lady. Quite stylish. Turn to the right of the gate.”
“Only the first numbers are given there,” said Moshkin.
The porter said: “No, you’ll also find 57 there. At the very bottom.”