Читать книгу The Ostrekoff Jewels онлайн

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"Our huge friend outside," he remarked, "seems to guard you as zealously as he did his master."

Haven shrugged his shoulders.

"The Prince placed me under his protection," he explained. "A very faithful fellow, I should think."

"He may," Patinsky reflected, "have reasons for his fidelity. You would perhaps be surprised to know," he went on, "that there were very definite rumours down the line. It was, in fact, openly stated that you were taking out of the country property belonging to Ostrekoff."

"An absurd rumour," Haven observed. "We're not allowed to use our privileges in that way."

"One might claim that these were exceptional times," Patinsky pointed out, "and that diplomatic relations between your country and a country which had ceased to exist were of no particular account."

"And then?"

Patinsky shrugged his shoulders.

"There are still many miles of wild country to traverse before you could call yourself in safety. If it were true that you were in such a position, you would do well to make friends with those whom chance has placed in the position of being able to defend you."