The Mission of Poubalov — page 51: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LITIZKI AT WORK. 47 CHAPTER VI. LITIZKI AT WORK, _ ‘Tt would have been perfectly natural,’’ continued Pou- balov, ‘‘for Strobel to suspect me at first blush of evil intentions, and 1 presume he did so; for, without inquir- 3 ing what brought me to America ana to him, he took pains to remind me that he was within the jurisdiction of the United States, and that it was not his purpose to set foot outside the limits of your country, of which I pre- sume he is by this time.a citizen.”’ ‘‘He has taken out his first papers,’’ replied Clara. *‘And, therefore, should have felt himself secure from one who, supposing he were hostile, yet acted as the offi- ‘cial of a foreign anda friendly government. I give you credit, Miss Hilman, of drawing a correct conclusion from that statement of relations.’’ Poubalov paused, and Clara responded slowly: *‘It ought to mean that he had other enemies than you or those whom you represent.”’ | “Exactly; but why do you hedge—pardon the term— why do you set forth the conclusion with reservation? ‘It ought to mean,’ is what you said. Why not say it does -mean?”’ ‘‘Because I do not know whether you are telling me Pho ‘truth.’’ _. Poubalov leaned back in his chair, and his dark face was momentarily illumined by an amused smile. ‘““May I light a cigarette?’’ he asked in a tone that ‘seemed to say how patient he was under this continuance of suspicion that not even reason could dissipate. It was asif he had said, ‘‘With all your unexpected cleverness GOMIGooo S (C(O im