“Oh, very well, we can easily stop the one at the top. Have you fastened the window? for the first thing these English do is to open a window.”
“The window is securely fastened, your Excellency, unless he breaks the glass.”
“Oh, he will not think of doing that until it is too late. The English are a law-abiding people. How many other passengers are there in the car?”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Excellency, the Room B has been taken by an English lady, who is there now.”
“Ten thousand devils!” cried the Russian in a hoarse whisper. “Why did you not say that before?”
The voices now fell to so low a murmur that Jennie could not distinguish the words spoken. A moment later there was a rap at her door, and she had presence of mind enough to get in the further corner, and say in a sleepy voice,—
“Come in!”
The conductor opened the door.
“Votre billet, s’il vous plaît, madame.”
“Can’t you speak English?” asked Jennie.