ther.

"But afterwards perhaps you will resent having agreed so quickly? That's
almost always the way with you."

The company was excited in various ways, greatly excited. The lame man
flew at him.

"Allow me to observe, however, that answers to such questions are
conditional. Even if we have given our decision, you must note that
questions put in such a strange way..."

"In what strange way?"

"In a way such questions are not asked."

"Teach me how, please. But do you know, I felt sure you'd be the first
to take offence."

"You've extracted from us an answer as to our readiness for immediate
action; but what right had you to do so? By what authority do you ask
such questions?"

"You should have thought of asking that question sooner! Why did you
answer? You agree and then you go back on it!"

"But to my mind the irresponsibility of your principal question suggests
to me that you have no authority, no right, and only asked from personal
curiosity."

"What do you mean? What do you mean?" cried Verhovensky, apparently
beginning to be much alarmed.

"Why, that the initiation of new members into anything you like is done,
anyway, _tete-a-tete_ and not in the company of twenty people one doesn't
know!" blurted out the lame man. He had said all that was in his mind
because he was too irritated to restrain himself. Verhovensky turned to
the general company with a capitally simulated look of alarm.

"Gentlemen, I deem it my duty to declare that all this is folly, and
that our conversation has gone too far. I have so far initiated no one,
and no one has the right to say of me that I initiate members. We were
simply discussing our opinions. That's so, isn't it? But whether that's
so or not, you alarm me very much." He turned to the lame man again.
"I had no idea that it was unsafe here to speak of such practically
innocent matters except _tete-a-tete_. Are you afraid of informers? Can
there possibly be an informer among us here?"

The excitement became tremendous; all began talking.

"Gentlemen, if that is so," Verhovensky went on, "I have compromised
myself more than anyone, and so I will ask you to answer one question,
if you care to, of course. You are all perfectly free."

"What question? What question?" every one clamoured.

"A question that will make it clear whether we are to remain together,
or take up our hats and go our several ways without speaking."

"The question! The question!"

"If any one o