“After ten, at least. Where did you go?”
“I was with friends.”
“She went to these others for horses,” sneered Rakov, “before she came to me.”
“I know nothing of horses or politicals,” she protested. “Go away — I wish to sleep.”
“Not yet,” said the agent of the Ogpu. “First we will search for traces of the men.” He jerked his head in the direction of the bedroom and looked at the two local men. They disappeared into the inner room. He himself began to pull out drawers and open cupboards, while Rakov remained, a malicious grin on his face, by the door.
The policemen reappeared, “Nitchivo,” the elder reported. “Nothing at all — the bed has not been slept in.”
The agent indicated the ceiling with his thumb. “What is above, Comrade?”
“Nothing,” she said, firmly. “The roof only.”
“Let us see it then.”
“There is no way up — if it leaks we patch it from the outside.”