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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

was happening in the auction room that he quietly opened the door and listened to the proceedings. ‘ It’s no good,’ he murmured. ‘ What’s no good ? ’ asked Hippolyte obsequiously. ‘ They’re selling the chairs separately. Perhaps you would hke to buy them. . . . You can if you like. I’m not keeping you back. But I doubt if they’ll let you in. And besides, you don’t seem to have brought much money with you,’ Bender said sar­ castically. Meanwhile the auctioneer, who had felt he would not be able to get two hundred roubles out of the public so easily (it was far too large a sum for the rabble who had remained in the auction-room), had decided to get the money by dividing up the chairs into separate lots. They were again put up for auction. ' Four upholstered chairs from the Palace, walnut, the work of Gambs. Thirty roubles. Any offers ? ’ Bender suddenly became calm. His determination had returned. ' Now then, you old fool, you stop here and mind you don’t go away anywhere. I’U be back in five minutes. Keep your eyes open and see who buys them, and don’t let a single chair leave the place without watching who takes it.’ Bender had thought of a scheme, the only possible one in such difficult circumstances. He ran out into the street and had a talk with several urchins. As promised he returned to Hippolyte within five minutes. The urchins stood in readiness at the door leading to the auction-room. ‘ They’re being sold ! They’re being sold I ’ whis­ pered Hippolyte to Bender. ‘ One lot of four and one lot of two have already been sold.’ ‘ Well, you’re responsible for that,’ said Bender. ‘ You should be glad. The chairs were ours—actually ours, do you understand that ? ’ The auctioneer was shouting: ‘ And a half to my