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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

‘ What possible explanation can you give for their disappearance ? ’ Elena Stanislavovna was also most interested, but she had no solution to offer. ‘ And don’t you think,’ continued the irrepressible locksmith, ‘ that they are probably executing some special mission ? ’ The fortune-teller was convinced that that was what they were doing. ‘ And don’t you think that we ought to go on with the work ? After all, we can’t sit with our hands folded.’ The fortune-teller agreed, and remarked that Hippolyte was a hero. ‘ Of course he’s a hero ! That’s obvious. And that splendid officer with him is a very business-like man. You can say what you like, but the matter ought not to be left at a standstill.’ And Polesov set to work. He paid regular visits to all the members of the ' Secret Union of the Sword and Plough ’; he was particularly assiduous in paying attention to Kislyarsky, and Kislyarsky would turn pale every time he saw Polesov, for he was terrified of this secret organization. At the end of the week the members met in the fortune-teller’s room. The parrot was also present. Polesov was bursting with excitement. ‘ Viktor, you’re a fool! ’ Dyadiev called across the room. ‘ What do you manage to do with yourself running about the town all day ? ’ ‘ We must act ! ’ Polesov shouted back. ' Of course we must act, but there’s absolutely no reason why you should shout. Now, gentlemen, this is how I understand the matter. If Hippolyte has said that the mission is a holy one, then it is a holy one, and we must take it that we haven’t much longer to wait. How it will happen we don’t need to know. There are military people to attend to