I sympathize with you, although I am a Russian
subject. The sad fate of your fellow soldiers pains me. I will do all in
my power to help you. I know you are not our enemy. We have but one
enemy--the man whose iron will has forced all these hundreds of
thousands of men into our country." Then he arose and went about the
place, giving orders to his assistant.
The sleigh still stood at the door, and the horses impatiently shook the
sleigh bells and pawed the snow. As Vosky re-entered the room, his two
guests had finished their repast.
"Now," said he, "let me conduct you to a room where you can rest and
sleep, undisturbed and undiscovered." After climbing a ladder and
walking through a narrow passage, they came to a secret door which
opened into a bedroom. Alfred Banford looked about him, and was startled
when he saw in a mirror the reflection of such a pale, hungry-looking
visage and such tattered clothes.
Pity was plainly written in Vosky's kind face, but all he said was:
"Stay here and recuperate. To my sorrow, I must leave you for a little
while in order to transact some urgent business; but I will instruct my
valet to provide you with every possible comfort. Everything in this
house stands at your service."
Alfred Banford ventured to ask whether it would be perfectly safe to
remain, for he feared that Russian soldiers might capture him and that
he would be sent to Siberia.
"I give you my word," said Vosky. "You will be as safe here as the Czar
is in his Castle.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25