One day, soon after, Bavorof said to Sofronof:--
"I recommend you, colonel, to warn the police not to lose sight of this Jew, Jacob. He displeases me. He sees through our plots. There are only two alternatives: to oblige him to serve us, or to send him to Penza."
"What good would that do? His is an open nature, from which we have nothing to fear. He is wrapped up in the Talmud and his innocent mania of playing the prophet."
"As for me, I despise his prophecy. Is he rich?"
"Very rich."
"So much the worse. Ambitious?"
"Not the least in the world."
"Still worse. Is he a coward?"
"I do not think so."
"In that case to Penza! To Penza!"