“Thank you, my friend. In that case I think we will go to Turinsk on the midday train, and, if we may, we will remain under your hospitable roof until then. We shall require another meal before we go.”
“Welcome, and again welcome,” said the landlord, with all the inherent politeness of the peasant.
“All is well.” The Duke turned to Simon as he spoke, for the latter had not understood one word of this conversation. “There is a train at midday which will take us as far as Turinsk; after that the forbidden territory begins, and we shall have to use our wits.”
“How about tickets?” asked Simon, doubtfully.
“Bluff, my friend. I gather that the officials here are lazy and careless, and open to bribes, very different to those in Moscow.”
“Better say we left the other tickets in the train!”
“Yes, that is an excellent idea.”
“I’ve been wondering about that Shulimoff treasure,” said Simon, in a low voice. “Do you think Rex got it before they got him?”
“How can we say?” De Richleau raised his slanting eyebrows. “We know that Shulimoff had estates near Tobolsk. Evidently the treasure must be buried there, or Rex would never have ventured into this dangerous area.”
“Fun if we could take a few souvenirs out of this rotten country!” Simon chuckled into his hand.