er. You can see it is lined with real sable, and it cost
me three hundred roubles. At any rate, it is worth a hundred to you,
even if you take out the lining, sell the skins separately, and burn the
coat. Examine it for yourself."

The shopkeeper did so. "They are good skins," he said, and Alexis could
see that he quite appreciated their value.

"Now," Alexis said, "I want two peasant dresses complete, coat,
trousers, high boots, and caps. What do you charge for them?"

"Twenty roubles each suit."

"Very well. Pick two suits the right size for us, and lay them down on
the counter. Now we want two pounds of brick-tea and two pounds of
tobacco. We want two skins that will each hold a gallon or a gallon and
a half of water, and a tin pot that will hold a quart, and two tin
drinking mugs. We want a gun and ammunition; it need not be a new one. I
see you have got half a dozen standing over there in the corner. What do
you charge your customers for those? I see they are all old single
barrels and flint-locks."

"I charge fifteen roubles a piece."

"Well we will take two of them, and we want two pounds of powder and six
pounds of shot, and a couple of dozen bullets. Now add that up and see
how much it comes to."

"Ninety-two roubles," the man said.

"Well, I tell you what. I will give you this cloak and twelve paper
roubles for them. I don't suppose the goods cost you fifty at the
outside, and you will get at least a hundred for the skins alone."

"I will take it," the man said. "I take it because I cannot help it."

"You take it because you are making an excellent bargain," Alexis said
fiercely. "Now, mind, if you give the alarm when we have gone it will be
worse for you. They won't catch us; but you will see your house on fire
over your head before the week is past."

Godfrey placed a ten-rouble note and two one-rouble notes on the table;
they gathered up their goods and made them into a bundle, carefully
loaded their guns, and put the powder and shot into their haversacks.
Then Alexis lifted the bundle, and shouldering the guns they left the
shop.

"Will he give the alarm, do you think?" Godfrey asked.

"Not he. He is thoroughly well satisfied. I daresay he will get a
hundred and fifty roubles for the coat; besides, he knows that escaped
convicts are desperate men, and that we should be likely to execute my
threat. Besides, I don't suppose he would venture to stir out. For
aught he knows we may be waiting ju