What does he want you to do?
PIKE. The young lady's father trusted me to look after her, and if I
won't promise to let her pay seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars
for that--well, you've seen it around here, haven't you--
VASILI. I have observed it--that is, if you refer to the son of Lord
Hawcastle.
PIKE. Well, if I don't consent to do that, I reckon Ivanoff has to go
back to Siberia and you and I to jail.
VASILI. He threatens that?
PIKE. He'll _do_ that!
VASILI [looking at him sharply]. What do _you_ mean to do?
PIKE. There wouldn't be any trouble about it if it was only me. That
would make it easy. They could land me for two years [swallowing
painfully] or twenty. What makes it so hard is that I can't do what they
want, even to let you and Ivanoff out. It ain't my money. All I can do
is to ask you to forgive me, and warn you to get away before they come
down on me. This feller's _got_ me, Doc. Don't you see how it stands?
Ivanoff can't get away--
VASILI. No; I think he can't.
PIKE. They've got this militia all around the place.
VASILI. I passed through the cordon of carabiniere as I came in.
PIKE. [urgently]. But you could get away, Doc. Up to ten o'clock you can
come and go as you choose.
VASILI [rising]. So can you. You have not thought of that?
PIKE.
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