The captain shook his shaggy head.
“I am a Prince of Russia, and by some mistake find myself your passenger instead of spending the night in my own house. Where are you taking me, Captain?”
“It is forbidden that I should answer questions.”
“Is it also forbidden that I should go on deck?”
“The General said you were not to be allowed to leave this stateroom, as you did not give your parole.”
“How can I escape from a steamer in motion, Captain?”
“It is easy to jump into the river, and perhaps swim ashore.”
“So he is a general, is he? Well, Captain, I’ll give you my parole that I shall not attempt to swim the Neva on so cold a night as this.”
“I cannot allow you on deck now,” said the Captain, “but when we are in the Gulf of Finland you may walk the deck with the sentry beside you.”
“The Gulf of Finland!” cried Lermontoff. “Then you are going down the river?”