The starosta’s cheerful expression faded away, but without more words he unharnessed the horses and led them off to the stable. Sandoff climbed to the ground, followed by Shamarin, and the latter assisted Vera to dismount.
“Well,” said Sandoff, “what do you think of the situation?”
“Unfavorable!” replied Shamarin.
“I don’t agree with you,” exclaimed Vera quickly. “It is vexatious—that is all. If this obstinate Colonel Nord will not be pacified, Victor”—these two had long since dropped all formality of speech—“we’ll have to return to Riga and inspect his barracks—that is, if the colonel’s visit relates to this matter.”
She spoke in a peculiar tone that piqued Sandoff’s curiosity.
“What do you mean?” he asked quickly.
Vera placed her finger to her lips, and glanced toward the sledge.
“I will talk to you later on,” she whispered.
Shamarin did not observe this little bit of byplay. His eyes had been fixed on the ground, and now he looked up and said uneasily, “It would be better to escape if possible. One can’t predict what may come of this visit.”
“I rather agree with you,” replied Sandoff. He walked to the courtyard gate, looked out for a moment, and then came slowly back.