, as soon as the
exchange value of gold goes up, you can sell it at the nearest bank. I
know, for instance, that the agent of the ---- Bank" (and he mentioned
a name well known in St. Petersburg) "made many a pretty penny for
himself by just such a deal. This is how it was: He bought gold dust
for forty thousand rubles, and six weeks later got rid of it in
Hamburg for sixty thousand. Whatever you may say, fifty per cent on
your capital in a month and a half is pretty good business."

"Deuce take it! A pretty profitable bargain, without a doubt!" cried
Shadursky, jumping from his chair. "It would just suit me! I could get
rid of it in Geneva or Paris," he went on in a jesting tone.

"What do you think? Of course!" Sergei Antonovitch took him up, but in
a serious tone. "You or some one else--in any case it would be a good
bargain. For my acquaintance has to go back to Asia, and has only a
few days to spare. He doesn't know where to turn and rather than take
his gold back with him, he would willingly let it go at an even lower
rate than the smugglers generally ask. If I had enough free cash I
would go in for it myself."

"It looks a good proposition," commented Count Kallash.

"It is certainly very enticing; what do you think?" said Prince
Shadursky interrogatively, folding his arms.

"Hm--yes! very enticing," answered Kovroff. "A fine chance for anyone
who has the money."

"I would not object! I would not object!" protested Shadursky.
"Suppose you let me become acquainted with your friend."

"You? Well--" And Kovroff considered; "if you wish. Why not? Only I
warn you, first, if you are going to buy, buy quickly, for my friend
can't wait; and secondly, keep the matter a complete secret, for very
unpleasant results might follow."

"That goes without saying. That stands to reason," assented Shadursky.
"I can get the money at once and I am just going abroad, in a day or
two at the latest. So it would be foolish to miss such a chance. So it
is a bargain?" And he held out his hand to Kovroff.

"How a bargain?" objected the cautious Sergei Antonovitch. "I am not
personally concerned in the matter, and you must admit, my dear
prince, that I can make no promises for my acquaintance."

"I don't mean that!" cried Shadursky. "I only ask you to arrange for
me to meet him. Bring us together--and drop him a hint that I do not
object to buying his wares. You will confer a great obligation on me."

"Oh, that is quite a differ