Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/106

 94

DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

the giant of thought. They were louts of about thirty, and were obviously very pleased to have been invited. They sat in a corner and watched the father of Russian democracy consume cold veal. Charushnikov, the former member of the Town Council, a heavy old man, shook Hippolyte warmly by the hand and looked straight into his eyes. After they had exchanged a few reminiscences about the town. Bender turned to Charushnikov : ‘ Which regi­ ment were you in ? ’ ‘ I—I—so to speak, was not in any regiment because'- ’ ‘ Are you a member of the nobihty ? ’ ‘ Yes, I was.’ ‘ You are stiU, I hope. Be strong. Your help will be needed. I suppose Polesov has told you ? We shall have help from abroad. We have a complete secret organization.’ Bender moved over to the two louts and asked them with undisguised severity: ‘ Which regiment were you in ? You will have to serve your country. Members of the nobility ? Splendid ! ’ and without giving them time to answer he added : ' The West will help us. We have a complete secret organization.’ Bender was enjoying himself, for everything was going splendidly. When introduced to the proprietor of ‘ Rapidpack ’ he asked him about his regiment, promised help from abroad, and told him about the complete secret organization. The proprietor’s first instinct was to run away from this conspiracy. He considered his firm was far too important for him to be taking part in such a risky business ; but as he looked across at Bender he hesitated, and then decided to stay. Kislyarsky was the last to arrive, and as he had never served in a regiment and had not been a member of the nobility. Bender told him to pluck up courage, which Kislyarsky promised to do.