"You sent for the captain, and I am here."
"So am I," said the Prince jauntily. "My name is Lermontoff. Perhaps
you have heard of me?"
The captain shook his shaggy head.
"I am a Prince of Russia, and by some mistake find myself your
passenger instead of spending the night in my own house. Where are you
taking me, Captain?"
"It is forbidden that I should answer questions."
"Is it also forbidden that I should go on deck?"
"The General said you were not to be allowed to leave this stateroom,
as you did not give your parole."
"How can I escape from a steamer in motion, Captain?"
"It is easy to jump into the river, and perhaps swim ashore."
"So he is a general, is he? Well, Captain, I'll give you my parole
that I shall not attempt to swim the Neva on so cold a night as this."
"I cannot allow you on deck now," said the Captain, "but when we are
in the Gulf of Finland you may walk the deck with the sentry beside
you."
"The Gulf of Finland!" cried Lermontoff. "Then you are going down the
river?"
The big Captain looked at him with deep displeasure clouding his brow,
feeling that he had been led to give away information which he should
have kept to himself.
"You are not going up to Schlusselburg, then?"
"I told your Highness that I am not allowed to answer questions. The
General, however, has given me a letter for you, and perhaps it may
contain all you may want to know.
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