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 CHAPTER XXXI

A SHADY PAIR

orning. The passengers on the Scriabin were beginning to stir. Ropes were thrown out at the Barminov landing-stage and the Scriabin, amidst shouts and yeUs, slowly came in to the side. It was stiU early in the morning, and it was decided that the draw in the lottery should take place at nine o’clock. Work on the Scriabin began punctually at nine o’clock, just as on land, and every one remained true to his habits. Whoever was late on land was also late here, although his office was his bedroom, and the employees of the Commissariat of Finance soon became accustomed to their new way of hfe. Office boys were sweeping the cabin floors and were just as indifferent about it as if they were in the Moscow offices. Messenger girls carried tea round and ran about taking papers from one department to another, and the adding machines and typewriters were clicking merrily away. Some one was being scolded in the captain’s cabin. The great schemer was walking barefoot round a long narrow strip of red cloth. He was busy painting a slogan on it, and every now and then he would refer to something written on a small piece of paper. ‘ Everything for the State ! Every worker should have a Government loan certificate in his pocket 1 ’ The great schemer was doing his best, but the ab­ sence of talent was obvious : the letters were sloping badly and the piece of red cloth was irretrievably spoilt. Then with the help of Hippolyte he turned the cloth over and again began to daub, but this time he was more careful; before splashing the paint on

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