"He may."
"But if you have done anything, then--" here the old inspector lowered his voice still more--"go away!"
"But how and where?" asked Tatarchuk, uneasily. "The koshevoi has placed guards on all the islands, so that no one may escape to the Poles and let them know what is going on. The Tartars are on guard at Bazaluk. A fish couldn't squeeze through, and a bird couldn't fly over."
"Then hide in the Saitch, wherever you can."
"They will find me,--unless you hide me among the barrels in the bazaar? You are my relative."
"I wouldn't hide my own brother. If you are afraid of death, then drink; you won't feel it when you are drunk."
"Maybe there is nothing in the letters."
"Maybe."
"Here is misfortune, misfortune!" said Tatarchuk. "I don't feel that I have done anything. I am a good fellow, an enemy to the Poles. But though there is nothing in the letter, the devil knows what the Pole may say at the council. He may ruin me."
"He is a severe man; he won't say anything."