Yevsey gave him the note. The spy read it, looked into Klimkov's face in astonishment, and read it again.
"From whom is this?" he asked in a low voice.
Yevsey answered in an embarrassed whisper.
"He himself gave it to me. He came out into the street."
In the expectation of a rebuke, or even a blow, he bent his neck. But hearing a low laugh he cautiously raised his head, and saw the spy looking at the envelope with a broad smile on his face and a merry gleam in his eyes.
"Oh, you strange fellow," said Maklakov. "Now keep quiet about this, you droll creature."
"Can I congratulate you on a successful piece of work?" asked Krasavin.
"You can. Yes." Maklakov said aloud, walking up to him.
"That's good, young man," remarked Krasavin encouragingly. His pupils with green sparks flashing in them turned inward to the bridge of his nose, and his nostrils quivered and expanded.
"But the Japs licked us after all, Gavrilo," Maklakov exclaimed merrily, rubbing his hands.