Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/64

 "You pursue your meditations at a late hour, sir, and in an unaccustomed place."

After a moment the stranger replied:

"Ya ne govoriù po Anglisky." "Ah! you are a Russian, and do not speak English," commented Stranleigh, using somewhat haltingly the other's language. "I possess one or two good friends in Russia, but confess that my attempts to converse in their tongue meet respectful sympathy, rather than commendation."

The stranger smiled, and his visionary eyes glistened with delight at even this attempt at his own speech.

"Do you understand French?" asked Stranleigh. It appeared that the stranger did, and their future communication took place in that language, which the Russian spoke exceedingly well.

"As I told you," Stranleigh went on, "I have several friends in Russia, of whom I am very fond, and for their sakes I proffer my assistance if you happen to need it."

"You are most kind," replied the Russian, "and it is true, as doubtless you have surmised, that I am in dire straits. I have had nothing to eat for nearly forty-eight hours."

"That is a state of things permitting no delay