Page:Ossendowski - From President to Prison.djvu/75

Rh he mechanically showed me over the piles of wood and went away. Then, near the ovens, I met Kazik and found him serious and thoughtful. Speaking in a trembling voice, he gave evidence of great agitation. In response to my question as to what the matter was, he answered, after considerable hesitation and musing:

"I had a painful conversation with Samsonoff and was frank with him, only to regret it later. I told him the truth, in which there was nothing bad or wrong. Samsonoff will not believe what I said and suspects the worst." As he finished, he pulled off his cap and threw it on the ground like an impetuous boy.

"You talked about Madame Vera?" I asked.

He was too much roused and irritated to show astonishment over my question and answered without hesitancy:

"Yes, everyone can love or hate! The only thing is not to act basely, sinfully or treacherously. Nothing threatens Samsonoff. He has also but to work, to study and to struggle, and he will surely reach the great, broad highroad of life before ever I do. Then his wife will not leave him. But, as it is, he only curses and suspects things which are not and never will be, all of which is bad, sir, very bad!"

I realized fully that life had at present a foreboding aspect for my assistants, yet I seemed powerless to help them. Two days later I received a telegram, calling me to Harbin, where I spent about a week. On my return to Udzimi I was surprised and a little astonished to find that neither of my assistants came to meet me at the station. I proceeded directly to Ho Lin, where Kazik soon entered my car, pale and thin, with a feverish fire suffusing his eyes. Under his arm he had a portfolio full of papers and, in a dry official manner, began to make