“He must speak a little,” said the Jew. “He is alone, and he has made his way about. He talked with Dazo, who knows nothing but Russian, the stupid ox. But the American wrote in the book in English and I could make nothing of it—just a scrawl.” “Then he will be able to talk a little with me,” said Katerin. “At least, enough so that I may gain his confidence and be able to talk with him in a way of gossip about General Kirsakoff who was Governor here.” “By the Prophets!” said Slipitsky. “The mistress Katerin Stephanovna should be in the secret police, Excellence! It is all a good plan, and the mistress should be allowed to have her way in it.” “I wish there were some other way to go about it than this business of being a samovar girl,” said Michael as he lighted a cigarette. “We shall know how wise it all is when we see what we shall learn by it. But I shall not prevent its being done, for we are in danger enough, and making danger for you, my friend.” “Think not of my danger,” said the Jew. “Then I shall do it,” said Katerin. “We cannot delay, and we cannot take outsiders, like this man Rimsky, into our confidence. Our safety now depends upon keeping secret where we are, and upon making the best of such time as we have. Who knows when the Ataman will learn where we have gone from the house? And you shall be well paid for your help, Mr. Slipitsky, and for what you have done.” “Ah, it is not for money,” said the Jew. “When are you to begin as samovar girl, mistress? I must make the arrangements and be sure that everything is ready.” “The morning is the best time for me to go to the American,” said Katerin. “I shall take his morning samovar to him, the girl bringing it to me first. And I shall go on serving him till I have learned what I need. And if he should not tell me before he is to leave the city, I shall tell him that we wish to escape the city under his protection. Surely, we need not be afraid of an American!” “No,” agreed Michael. “He cannot be from enemies if he is not from friends. But it is best to learn what we can first, and you must have a good rest before you begin a battle of wits.” The Jew left them again, and later in the day he put Michael and Katerin into two rooms next to the room in which Peter was resting and planning how he should deal with Michael Kirsakoff if he could be found in Chita. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ XIV THE SAMOVAR GIRL IT was nine o’clock by his wrist-watch when Peter got out of bed that morning. From what he could see of the city through the frosted windows, it was a cold gray day, with the position of the sun above the ridge of hills marked by a yellow blotch through the scattering fog.