VASILI. How did you try?
IVANOFF. I transferred funds of the government to the Society of the
Blue Fifty. Never one ruble for myself. [Strikes himself on the breast.]
It was for Russia's sake--not mine!
VASILI [sharply]. But you committed the great Russian crime of getting
yourself caught?
IVANOFF. Through treachery. There was an Englishman who lived in
Petersburg. He had contracts with the government--I thought he was my
best friend. I had married in my student days in Paris--ah, it is the
old story [bitterly]! I knew that this Englishman admired my wife; but I
trusted him--as I trusted her--and he made my house his home. I had
fifty thousand rubles in my desk to be delivered to my society. The
police came to search; they found only me--but not my wife nor my
English friend--nor the fifty thousand rubles! I went to Siberia. Now I
search for those two.
VASILI [gravely]. Was it they who sent the police?
IVANOFF. After they had taken the money and were beyond the frontier
themselves. That is all I have against them.
PIKE [gently]. Looks to me like it would be enough.
VASILI. Then, by your own confession, you are an embezzler and a
revolutionist.
PIKE [going to VASILI quickly]. Why, the man's down; you wouldn't go
back on him now.
[With a half chuckle.
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