“Well, your excellency, I have a telegram from Colonel Nord at Riga. He wishes you to remain here until he comes. He has already started.”
“The devil you have!” exclaimed Sandoff blankly. “Well, my good fellow, I am sorry I can’t oblige the colonel. I am in haste to get to Vladivostok, and I really can’t afford to lose so much as an hour. Tell the colonel that a man will come on from Vladivostok in a day or so to look into that little matter of the barracks.”
“I—I am sorry, your excellency,” stammered the officer, “but Colonel Nord will take no denial. He insists that you wait here, and I dare not allow you to proceed.”
It was clear that Inspector Serge Zamosc might be a great man at home in Russia, but here in Eastern Siberia Colonel Nord was a greater.
“Well,” said Sandoff, as he realized the situation and choked down his anger, “I suppose you are only doing your duty. Since Colonel Nord is so importunate I will await his arrival. How soon do you think that will be?”
“In two hours at the most,” replied the officer, “probably less. Until then let me offer you the use of my guard house.”
“Thank you,” replied Sandoff shortly, “I will go to the post station and get supper and order a relay of fresh horses. Colonel Nord will find me there.”
He slowly turned the sledge around and drove into the court yard of the station, which was but a few yards away. The starosta came out to meet the new arrival, rubbing his hands in gleeful anticipation of legitimate robbery.
“You will remain over night, your honor?”
“No,” said Sandoff, “but I want a fresh relay of horses and some refreshment. Attend to these tired beasts first, and when supper is ready let us know. Meanwhile we will remain here.”