But if some one were going abroad, for instance, he might well risk such an operation, which would pay him a very handsome profit.""How so? In what way?" asked Shadursky.
"Very simply. You buy the goods here, as I already said, much below the government price. So that to begin with you make a very profitable bargain. Then you go abroad with your wares and there, as soon as the exchange value of gold goes up, you can sell it at the nearest bank. I know, for instance, that the agent of the -----Bank" (and he mentioned a name well known in St. Petersburg) made many a pretty penny for himself by just such a deal. This is how it was: He bought gold dust for forty thousand rubles, and six weeks later got rid of it in Hamburg for sixty thousand. Whatever you may say, fifty per cent on your capital in a month and a half is pretty good business.""Deuce take it! A pretty profitable bargain, without a doubt!"cried Shadursky, jumping from his chair. "It would just suit me!
I could get rid of it in Geneva or Paris," he went on in a jesting tone.
"What do you think? Of course!" Sergei Antonovitch took him up, but in a serious tone. "You or some one else--in any case it would be a good bargain. For my acquaintance has to go back to Asia, and has only a few days to spare. He doesn't know where to turn and rather than take his gold back with him, he would willingly let it go at an even lower rate than the smugglers generally ask. If Ihad enough free cash I would go in for it myself.""It looks a good proposition," commented Count Kallash.
"It is certainly very enticing; what do you think?" said Prince Shadursky interrogatively, folding his arms.
"Hm--yes! very enticing," answered Kovroff. "A fine chance for anyone who has the money.""I would not object! I would not object!" protested Shadursky.
"Suppose you let me become acquainted with your friend.""You? Well--" And Kovroff considered; "if you wish. Why not?
Only I warn you, first, if you are going to buy, buy quickly, for my friend can't wait; and secondly, keep the matter a complete secret, for very unpleasant results might follow.""That goes without saying. That stands to reason," assented Shadursky. "I can get the money at once and I am just going abroad, in a day or two at the latest. So it would be foolish to miss such a chance. So it is a bargain?" And he held out his hand to Kovroff.
"How a bargain?" objected the cautious Sergei Antonovitch. "I am not personally concerned in the matter, and you must admit, my dear prince, that I can make no promises for my acquaintance.""I don't mean that!" cried Shadursky. "I only ask you to arrange for me to meet him. Bring us together--and drop him a hint that Ido not object to buying his wares. You will confer a great obligation on me.""Oh, that is quite a different matter. That I can always do; the more so, because we are such good friends. Why should I not do you such a trifling service? As far as an introduction is concerned, you may count on it."And they cordially shook each other by the hand.
XVI
GOLD DUST
Both Kallash and Kovroff were too cautious to take an immediate, personal part in the gold-dust sale. There was a certain underling, Mr. Escrocevitch by name, at Sergei Kovroff's beck and call--a shady person, rather dirty in aspect, and who was, therefore, only admitted to Sergei's presence by the back door and through the kitchen, and even then only at times when there were no outsiders present.
Mr. Escrocevitch was a person of general utility and was especially good at all kinds of conjuring tricks. Watches, snuff-boxes, cigar-cases, silver spoons, and even heavy bronze paper-weights acquired the property of suddenly vanishing from under his hands, and of suddenly reappearing in a quite unexpected quarter. This valuable gift had been acquired by Mr. Escrocevitch in his early years, when he used to wander among the Polish fairs, swallowing burning flax for the delectation of the public and disgorging endless yards of ribbon and paper.
Mr. Escrocevitch was a precious and invaluable person also owing to his capacity of assuming any role, turning himself into any given character, and taking on the corresponding tone, manners, and appearance, and he was, further, a pretty fair actor.
He it was who was chosen to play the part of the Siberian employee.
Not more than forty-eight hours had passed since the previous conversation. Prince Shadursky was just up, when his footman announced to him that a Mr. Valyajnikoff wished to see him.
The prince put on his dressing gown and went into the drawing-room, where the tolerably presentable but strangely dressed person of Mr.
Escrocevitch presented itself to him.
"Permit me to have the honor of introducing myself," he began, bowing to Prince Shadursky; "I am Ivanovitch Valyajnikoff. Mr.
Sergei Antonovitch Kovroff was so good as to inform me of a certain intention of yours about the dust. So, if your excellency has not changed your mind, I am ready to sell it to you with pleasure.""Very good of you," answered Prince Shadursky, smiling gayly, and giving him a chair.
"To lose no time over trifles," continued Mr. Escrocevitch, "let me invite you to my quarters. I am staying at a hotel; you can see the goods there; you can make tests, and, if you are satisfied, Ishall be very happy to oblige your excellency."Prince Shadursky immediately finished dressing, ordered his carriage, and went out with the supposititious Valyajnikoff. They drove to a shabby hotel and went to a dingy room.
"This is my poor abode. I am only here on the wing, so to speak.
I humbly request you to be seated," Mr. Escrocevitch said obsequiously. "Not to lose precious time, perhaps your excellency would like to look at my wares? Here they are--and I am most willing to show them."And he dragged from under the bed a big trunk, in which were five canvas bags of various sizes, packed full and tied tightly.
"Here, here it is! This is our Siberian dust," he said, smiling and bowing, indicating the trunk with a wave of his hand, as if introducing it to Prince Shadursky.
