As I passed him he said, with a laugh to his fellow, “So—the rat goes into the trap!”
CHAPTER XVII
THE DROSHKY DRIVER
Inside were two officials busily engaged in a systematic search of my effects. Truly the secret police had lost no time!
I had already decided on the attitude I must adopt. It was improbable that they would arrest me openly; that would have involved trouble with the Embassies, but they could, if they chose, conduct me to the frontier or give me twenty-four hours’ notice to quit Russia, as they had to Von Eckhardt, and that was the very last thing I desired just now.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” I said amiably. “You seem to be pretty busy here. Can I give you any assistance?”
I spoke in French, as I didn’t want to air my Russian for their edification, though I had improved a good deal in it.
One of them, who seemed boss, looked up and said brusquely, though not exactly uncivilly: “Ah, Monsieur, you have returned somewhat sooner than we expected. We have a warrant to search your apartment.”