Читать книгу When I Was Czar онлайн

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“I fear then we have reached an impasse,” he said, with a courteous bow as he spread out his hands.

“Not a bit of it. Hand yours to Mademoiselle Helga.” I turned to her. “You will hold them, mademoiselle, and give them to me when this cautious gentleman has satisfied himself that these are in order?”

“With your permission, the matter is no concern of mine,” she replied coldly.

“It seems to me that you are both anxious to raise difficulties.”

Helga shrugged her shoulders, and Boreski spread out his hands deprecatingly.

“With all deference, I submit I am not asking too much to be allowed to examine documents of such vital importance to me.”

I thought for a moment. If I parted with the papers and did not get the others in exchange I should be pretty considerably euchred; but on the other hand his request was not unreasonable. Then I saw the way out. I remembered that I was armed.

“Very well. You can see them,” and I pushed them across to him, and rising, stood between him and the door.

“Your confidence in our honour is very striking, monsieur,” said Helga scornfully.