“I am coming,” cried Marie Lou. “One moment, I must get some clothes. She began to undo the scarf at her neck, and at the same time held out her booted foot to the Duke. He understood, and quickly pulled off first one boot then the other.
“Open!” cried the voice again. “Do not delay.”
The Duke smiled at Marie Lou reassuringly, and held up his big automatic for her to see, then, like a shadow, he disappeared into the cupboard.
She arranged the curtain carefully, took a last look round, and ran to the door.
Two police officers, a civilian, and the kulak, Rakov, stood on the threshold. “What do you want?” she asked, angrily.
The civilian pushed her aside and walked into the cottage. One of the policemen answered her.
“We search, Comrade, for three politicals — foreigners. It is believed that you gave them shelter here, in your cottage.”
“Here?” she exclaimed, her blue eyes wide with astonishment. “I have seen no one.”
The civilian had been examining the inner room, which was her bedroom. He turned to her. “I am of the Ogpu, Comrade, what is your work?”
“She is a teacher in the school,” the policeman answered for her — he was a local man and knew her well.