Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/82

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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

‘ Well, then,’ said the old man, ‘ it is difficult, but possible.’ ‘ Will it entail much expense ? ’ asked the frozenmeat expert. ‘ A small sum'—■—’ ‘ Then let’s talk business,’ said Bender. ‘ Your information shall be paid for.’ ‘ Say seventy roubles.’ ‘ Why so much ? Is wheat so expensive ? ’ The old man laughed : ‘ You’re joking.’ ‘ Perhaps I am. I’ll pay, and you’ll give me the orders. When may I come for them ? ’ ‘ Have you got the money with you ? ’ Bender tapped his breast pocket confidently. ' Then you can have them now, if you like,’ said Korobeynikov. He lit a candle and led Bender into the room next door, where apart from a bed, on which he evidently slept, there was a writing-desk with piles of ledgers on it. There were some long, open shelves along one wall and the printed letters of the alphabet were glued to the edges of the shelves. Bundles of order forms tied up with string were lying on the shelves. ' Oho 1 ’ exclaimed Bender delightedly, ‘ the com­ plete archives in your own home ! ’ ' Absolutely complete,’ answered the superintendent modestly. ‘ You see, I have done this in case of emergency. The Administrative Department does not require them, whereas they may be useful to me one day in my old age. As you know, we live on the brink of a volcano. . . . Anything may happen. . . . People win then rush about trying to find their furniture. And where is their furniture ? That is where it is ! ’ ^d he pointed dramatically towards the shelves. And who has preserved their furniture ? Who has saved it ? Korobeynikov ! And then the people will thank the old man and help him in his old age. . . . I shall not ask for much. Ten roubles for each order.