Instinctively, the shrewd Bolshevik agent connected this American with the other.
“Your name?” asked Motkin.
“My name is Marsland,” responded Cliff.
“Marsland,” said Motkin thoughtfully. “That is different from another name that I have heard. I recall a man whom I have met. His name was Arnaud.”
Motkin was watching Cliff narrowly, hoping that he would betray some surprise at the mention of the name. Cliff still maintained his poker-face expression.
Motkin laughed. This negative sign indicated to his clever mind that there was a definite connection between Arnaud and Marsland.
“A man named Henry Arnaud,” remarked Motkin thoughtfully. “A remarkable man — he was. He is dead, now. Dead, in Moscow.”
Again Cliff gave no sign of interest. Yet Motkin’s own brain was realizing that, after all, the man called Henry Arnaud must have spoken the truth. If Marsland and Arnaud were joined in the same cause, they were truly opposed to both factions that had fought in Russia.
Motkin’s thoughts changed as he recalled the words that he had overheard upon entering. His suave face showed a sudden cunning. He spoke in a slow, reflective tone, continuing in English, which both his prisoners could understand.
“The steamship Gasconne,” he remarked. “What is the significance of the steamship Gasconne?”