“Not on your life I don’t. If we’ve having a party tomorrow we’ll have it together and get done with it. This bird would do me in anyhow in a fortnight’s time.”
“You’re young, Rex,” urged the Duke; “with myself it is different. Accept this offer.”
Rex smiled. “No, there’s nothin doin’.”
“So you are obstinate, American?” Leshkin puffed out a cloud of smoke. “Well, you have had your chance — that is all, I think.”
“I demand a trial,” said De Richleau sharply.
“Frightened a little after all?” Leshkin’s small eyes came back to the Duke’s face.
“You boast that Russia is a civilized country — to shoot us without a trial is murder. Let us be tried, and executed if we are found guilty.”
“There will be no trial, because you have no official existence, either of you. That ceased when you went outside the laws laid down for tourists in the Soviet.”
“Then I wish to be prepared for death by a priest of my own religion,” replied De Richleau. “I ask for a postponement of execution till after Sunday in order that I may have time.”
“Time, eh? Leshkin scowled. Time for the little Jew to help you to escape — that is what you wish, is it not? Let me tell you, then: Do you think that I, Leshkin, would let him do what he has done to me, and do nothing?... Stalin did not know the truth when he listened to Madame Karkoff; he did not know that men... eight men of the Ogpu, had been killed. I had to go to Moskawa to arrange; had it not been for that you would have been dead a week ago. The decision regarding Aron is now reversed... he will be arrested tonight, and with you tomorrow when the time comes, and I … he chuckled suddenly: “I shall be in bed in the hotel!”