“Madam, I am not acting for myself. I am Secretary of the Russian Liberation Society. They, through their branch at St. Petersburg, have conducted some investigations on your behalf.”
“Yes, for which I paid them very well.”
Johnson bowed.
“Our object, Madam, is the repression of tyranny. For that we are in continual need of money. It is the poor, and not the millionaires, who subscribe to our fund. It has been discovered that you are a rich woman, who will never miss the money asked, and so the demand was made. Believe me, Madam, I am acting by the command of my comrades. I tried to persuade them to leave compensation to your own generosity, but they refused. If you consider their demand unreasonable, you have but to say so, and I will return and tell them your decision.”
“Have you brought the letter with you?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Must I agree to your terms before seeing it?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Have you read it?”
“Yes, Madam.”