"The little lady asked in what way we can help one another, did she not?"
"Yes."
"At least in--revenge,"
After which, he changed the conversation.
"Let the little lady come to me and, if I sometimes inquire about anything, let her not get angry. If at times it is hard for her, it is not easy for me. One lot, one wrong. Let the little lady come. I do not want to live with Swidwicki any longer. He is a peculiar man. I know that he did not take me out of the goodness of his heart, but as he placed himself in peril on my account I must endure everything from him. In the meantime he so maligns our party that I feel an impulse to shoot him in the head or stab him with a knife."
"Why do you argue with that old goat?"
"Because he talks and I must listen. Often he goads me into a reply. Somebody else for lesser things would get a knife under the ribs."
"But I will not be able to hide you a second time, for I do not know where."
"No. I myself will find some sort of hole; I have already thought of that. Our people will help. I now have a passport and am bleached yellow on the head. Some of my associates could not recognize me. Even if I am caught they will not try me as Laskowicz but as Zaranczko of Bessarabia, unless some one should betray me, but such there is not among us."
"Only be careful, sir, and when you know where to hide, let me know. I will not betray."