The Argosy — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

316 THE ARGOSY. himself, therefore, lest my neglect to do so should rouse his suspicions pre- maturely. I went to him from Olga’s house, and when I was adimitted, after a little delay that I did not quite like, I found him as gracious as ever. ‘‘Iam very busy,’’ he said, shaking hands with me, ‘‘ but have time to hear that you have resolved to join us, lieutenant.”? ‘“T have come now only to thank you " “I haven’t time to listen to that. Your sister is again in Moscow ; her persecutor is in the care of my men; you have only to say a word, for her to be his judge. Do you say it?’’ Seeing me hesitate, he paused only a moment. . ‘‘ When a man like you doesn’t say ‘ yes’ directly, he means ‘ no.’ I under- stand. But time is beginning to press with much force. Make up your mind, and don’t come again till you have decided. Understand what that means. I can’t see you until you are ready to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ finally— finally. ‘Then come, and if you decide ‘no,’ make it convenient, before you come, to arrange any little matters that can best be put right personally. You may find obstacles afterwards. You understand ?’’ And the look which accompanied the words showed me that he meant all this as a pretty strong turn of the screw. ‘‘Oh, and by the by,’ he added, just as I was leaving the room, “‘ of course you won’t attempt to get away. You may if you like, you know, but you’ll be wiser not, because I have certain information about you, and any attempt at flight at such a juncture as this would give me an excellent excuse for dealing very summarily. Understand—I shall only see you again when you are ready to give me your decision.” , My anxiety for Olga was making me like a silly, frightened boy; and I went away from the man now with a chilled feeling of fear that set me doubt- ing and speculating and anticipating a thousand forms of trouble which he could inflict upon her. I should not have a moment’s peace of mind while Olga remained in Russia. That was certain. I went back to my rooms and sat there thinking out moodily the particu- lars of the journey which the girl had to take alone, and my fears for her multiplied with almost every turn of my thoughts. Every detail of the position seemed to teem with additional menace and cause for alarm, I had my own escape to think of, too. I resolved, let the risks be what they might, that the instant Olga’s telegram came telling me she had crossed the frontier, I should bolt ; and the manner and direction of my flight had cost me many an anxious hour. | I had been looking forward to the possible necessity of a hurried de- parture ever since I had started the venture, and I had had time thus to make my plans fairly complete. For this purpose I had used my Nihilist connections, though I had of course kept my whole plans to myself, since I had contemplated running away from the Nihilists as much as from any one else. | The chief difficulty was the géographical position of Moscow: the very kernel of Russia, and at tremendous distances from all the frontiers. My escape must be obviously a matter of the most careful planning, seeing that comicbooks-com ©