An overcoat was thrown on Sasha's shoulders, Bengalsky somehow wrapped it round the Geisha, and traversing the dark stairs, lighted by dim, smoky paraffin lamps, carried her into the yard and through a gate into the street. "Take off the mask. You'll be more likely to be recognised with it on--and anyway it's quite dark here. I'll tell no one," said he rather inconsistently. He was curious. He knew for certain that it was not Kashtanova, but who was it then? The Geisha obeyed. Bengalsky saw an unfamiliar, smooth face, on which fright was giving place to an expression of joy at an escaped danger. A pair of cheerful eyes gazed at the actor's face. "How can I thank you?" said the Geisha in a clear voice. "What would have become of me, if you hadn't saved me?" "She's no coward. An interesting little woman!" thought the actor. "But who is she?" It was obvious that she was a new arrival; Bengalsky knew the women of the district. He said quietly to Sasha: "I must take you home at once. Give me your address and I'll call a cabby." The Geisha's face again became dark with fear. "You mustn't, you simply mustn't," she whispered. "I will go home alone. Let me down here." "But how can you go home in such mud and with those wooden shoes. You'd better let me call a cab," said the actor persuasively. "No, I'll go by myself. For God's sake let me down," entreated the Geisha. "I give you my word of honour I won't tell anyone," said Bengalsky reassuringly. "I mustn't let you go, you'll catch cold. I'm responsible for you now, and I can't let you go. But tell me quickly--they might get after you even here. You saw what savages they are. They're capable of anything." The Geisha trembled, quick tears suddenly trickled from her eyes. She said, sobbing: "Terribly cruel people! Take me to the Routilovs for the present and I'll spend the night there." Bengalsky called a cab. They got in and drove off. The actor looked intently at the Geisha's face. There seemed to him to be something strange about it. The Geisha turned her face away. The town-talk about Liudmilla and a schoolboy suddenly occurred to Bengalsky's mind. "Ah-ha! You're a boy!" he said in a whisper, so that the cabby should not hear. "For God's sake!" said Sasha growing pale with fear. And his smooth hands under the overcoat stretched themselves towards Bengalsky with a movement of entreaty. Bengalsky laughed quietly and whispered: "I won't tell anyone. Don't be afraid. My business is to get you home safe, and beyond that I know nothing. But you're a daring kid. Won't they find out at home?" "If you don't say anything no one will know," said Sasha in a voice of gentle entreaty. "You can depend on me. I shall be silent as the grave," replied the actor. "I was a boy myself once; I was up to all sorts of pranks." * * * * *