“Well, I’ll tell you, I’m no good at puzzles,” he grinned, “never done a cross-word in my life — but I’ll see what I can do.” As he spoke he took a pair of tortoise-shell spectacles from his pocket and began to study the crumpled paper, reading it out slowly as he did so.
“Dear Comrade,
Since I left the New York centre I have been investigating the possibilities of mineral wealth in this country.
There is one mine containing valuable deposits which has been closed down for a number of years, and I had hoped to get it going. Unfortunately, before I could do so, I was sent to the place where Comrade Eatonov was for a short time.
Work at the London centre must be almost at a standstill with the present reactionary Government in power, and if my transfer from here could be arranged for, I should badly need skilled assistance at the mine, so if you could come over, your help would be most welcome.
I would like to have met you in Moscow, but that will be impossible now. You can get all the information regarding the mine at Jack Straw’s. If little Simonoff is still with you, perhaps both of you could come.
I certainly need help pretty badly in my present position — it’s too much for me alone.
Your old comrade and fellow-worker,
Tsarderynski.”
Simon Aron shook his head with a little wriggle of his narrow shoulders. “How did it come to you?” he inquired.