The captain and his visitor had got on exceedingly well together, since the latter endorsed to the full the former's exasperation at the treatment Kara received from St. Petersburg. No matter what the immediate subject of discussion, Sokolof would constantly break out in bitter recurrence to his grievance. When Paul was shown in to them, the matter of his translation was uppermost again, and in a very acute form. "Ha, Doctor, we were speaking of you," said Sokolof. "I want Lieutenant Vinsky to allow you one day more, while I telegraph to headquarters and beg them to reconsider the matter. It is out of all reason. They cannot surely have received my letters or they have not read them. It is inhuman. It is brutal." "I am indebted to you, Captain," Paul made shift to answer, as all the disastrous possibilities of such a course crowded his brain. "You have done all you could for me. I would never forgive myself if you did yourself any disservice by trying to help me further." "Exactly!" said Palma quietly. "That is the danger." He pursed his lips and shook his head dubiously. "Do you know why Simonofsky was removed from Barnaul, Captain Sokolof?" "I can imagine, from the way you put it," said Sokolof, blowing out smoke viciously. "Exactly. For alleged favouring of politicals. He has had no post since." "I don't care a kopeck," said Sokolof stubbornly. "This is no ordinary case. Besides, we need him here to keep down the fever. That is reason enough." "It is not for me to advise, Captain," said Palma, with another dubious shake. "You know who you are dealing with. Telegraph by all means, if you are willing to take the risk. As for me, I have only one thing to do, and that is to carry out my instructions to the letter, much as I may regret them," with a bow to Paul. "I have strained them somewhat, perhaps, already, but--well, we could hardly have started to-night, and besides, the unexpected question as to Madame arose. How is that matter decided, Mr. Palma?" "Madame decides to go," said Paul. "Bravo!" said the lieutenant. "I thought she would. Can't you procure a tarantas for her, Captain--just for the first stage or two? We shall strike the snow in the Yablonois and then it will be smooth going. But teléga travelling is the very devil, especially for a woman. My bones are aching yet." "Zazarin has a tarantas," said Sokolof. "He won't need it for some time to come," said Paul. "If he ever needs it," said Sokolof. "All the same I shall telegraph at once, let them think and do what they please. Help me, Vinsky, to word it so that they will understand, the----" "Blockheads," suggested Palma, with a smile. "I will help you with pleasure, Captain, only you understand, answer or no answer, I start at eight o'clock to-morrow morning for Yakutsk. What is the soonest you can get their reply?"