Jubé pulled a chair around and sat down. The husky eyed him. “Did I tell you to be seated?”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Then get up. I said get up! That’s better, little man. You go to the university in Zagreb, that is true, and you have even spent three days in Belgrade, but I have not heard that you have been designated a hero of the people. You did right to bring these men here, and I congratulate you on behalf of our great People’s Republic, but if you try to assert yourself beyond your years and your position you will undoubtedly get your throat cut. Now go back home and study to improve yourself, and give my regards to your worthy father.”
“You are being arbitrary, Gospo Stritar. It would be better for me to stay and hear—”
“Get out!”
I thought for a second the college boy was going to balk, and he did too, but the final vote was no. He turned and marched out. When the door had closed behind him, the one seated at the end of the desk got up, evidently meaning to leave, but Stritar said something to him, and he went to another chair and sat. Wolfe went and took the one at the end of the desk, and I took the one that Jubé had vacated.
Stritar looked at Wolfe, at me, and back at Wolfe. He spoke. “What’s this talk about your having no papers?”
“Not talk,” Wolfe told him. “A fact. We have none.”
“Where are they? What’s your story? Who stole them?”
“Nobody. We had no papers. You will find our story somewhat unusual.”