I was not surprised to hear this, knowing of old the leisurely way in which Russians set about such work.
“My master has left me to look after your excellency,” he continued, in the same curious manner, respectful almost to servility but sullen withal. “What are your orders?”
I guessed now that he belonged to my tall friend.
“I want nothing at present. Who is your master?”
He looked at me suspiciously out of the corners of his eyes.
“Your excellency knows very well; but if not it isn’t my business to say.”
I did not choose to press the point. I could doubtless get the information I wanted elsewhere.
“You are a discreet fellow,” I said with a knowing smile, intended to impress him with the idea that I had been merely testing him by the question. “Well, at least you can tell me if he is hurt?”
“No, praise to God, and to your excellency!” he exclaimed, with more animation than he had yet shown. “It would have gone hard with him if he had been alone! I was searching for him among the wreckage, fool that I was, till I heard your excellency shout; and then I ran—we all ran—and those miscreants fled, all who could. We got five and—” he grinned ferociously—“well, they will do no more harm in this world! But it is not well for the barin to talk much yet; also it is not wise.”
He glanced round cautiously and then leaned over me, and said with his lips close to my ear: