would be, to say
the least, disastrous. Surely you made that clear to him.

PIKE [grimly]. No; he made it clear to me. Two years in jail is the
minimum, and if I don't make up my mind by ten o'clock [VASILI looks at
his watch] to do what he wants me to do--

VASILI. What does he want you to do?

PIKE. The young lady's father trusted me to look after her, and if I
won't promise to let her pay seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars
for that--well, you've seen it around here, haven't you--

VASILI. I have observed it--that is, if you refer to the son of Lord
Hawcastle.

PIKE. Well, if I don't consent to do that, I reckon Ivanoff has to go
back to Siberia and you and I to jail.

VASILI. He threatens that?

PIKE. He'll _do_ that!

VASILI [looking at him sharply]. What do _you_ mean to do?

PIKE. There wouldn't be any trouble about it if it was only me. That
would make it easy. They could land me for two years [swallowing
painfully] or twenty. What makes it so hard is that I can't do what they
want, even to let you and Ivanoff out. It ain't my money. All I can do
is to ask you to forgive me, and warn you to get away before they come
down on me. This feller's _got_ me, Doc. Don't you see how it stands?
Ivanoff can't get away--

VASILI. No; I think he can't.

PIKE. They've got this militia all around the place.

VASILI. I passed through the cordon of carabiniere as I came in.

PIKE. [urgently]. But you could get away, Doc. Up to ten o'clock you can
come and go as you choose.

VASILI [rising]. So can you. You have not thought of that?

PIKE. No; and I won't think of it. But as for you--

VASILI. As for me [rings bell near door]--I shall go!

PIKE. That's part of the load off my mind. I can't bear to think of the
rest of it. I haven't known how to tell that poor fellow in there.

[Valet enters.]

VASILI [to valet, indicating the door on the right]. Appellez le
Monsieur la.

[Valet goes to the door, opens it, bowing slightly to IVANOFF, who
appears. Valet withdraws.]

[IVANOFF is very pale and haggard looking, but his clothes have been
mended and neatly brushed. He comes in slowly and quietly.]

VASILI [in the tone of a superior]. You may come in, Ivanoff. Some
unexpected difficulties have arisen. Your presence here has been
discovered by persons who wish evil to this gentleman who has protected
you. He can do nothing further to save you unless he betrays a trust
which has been left to him.

[IVAN