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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

He stood up and brushed his knees while Hippolyte fell upon the chair. There were no diamonds. Hippo­ lyte was depressed, but Bender was as cheerful as ever. ‘ Our chances have increased,’ said Bender encour­ agingly as he walked up and down the room. ‘ Never mind ; that chair cost the widow more than it cost us.’ And he pulled out of his pocket a gold brooch, a bracelet, half a dozen gilt spoons, and a tea-strainer. Hippolyte was so distressed that he did not even realize he had been the accomplice in a common theft. ‘ It’s rather mean of me,’ said Bender; * but you must agree that I couldn’t leave my beloved without taking some little souvenir. However, there is no time to be lost. We’re only at the beginning of things here, whereas the end is in Moscow. And I’m sure the Furniture Museum won’t be like the widow : it’ll be far more difficult there.’ The two partners stuffed the bits of chair under the bed, and after counting up their money, which came to five hundred and thirty-five roubles, they left to catch the Moscow express. They had to drive through the town in an open cab and were terrified of being seen, but when at last they were safe in the train. Bender slapped Hippolyte on the back, and said in a cheerful voice ; ‘ Never mind/ my friend; don’t be downhearted. We shall be in Moscow to-morrow. Let the good work go on ! ’