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he suddenly noticed a familiar face. It was none other than Hippolyte Matveyevich Vorobianinov, who was walking away from the depot with a young friend of his. When the opening ceremony was over a Ford car suddenly arrived at the depot. A cinema operator jumped out and Treukhov went up to him and said : ‘ Are you the cinema ? Why didn’t you come this afternoon ? ’ ' When was the opening ? ’ ‘ It’s aU over long ago ! ’ ‘ Yes, yes, we may be a httle late. Come along now, turn the handle 1 Take a picture of the crowd. That’ll do, thank you ! Now, the moving feet of the crowd. That’ll do, thank you! Now, the chief engineer. Comrade Treukhov, is it ? No, no, not hke that, but with a tram in the background. That’s it ! Many thanks. Stop ! ’ The cinema operator put his apparatus into the Ford again and drove off. Polesov had managed to push his way out of the crowd and was now following Hippolyte and his friend. He was waiting for an opportunity to go up to Hippolyte. ‘ Good evening, Mr. Vorobianinov,’ he said respect fully. Hippolyte was startled. ‘ I haven’t the honour,’ he mumbled. Bender pushed his way in between them and turned to Polesov. ‘ Now, now,’ he said, ‘ what do you want to say to my friend ? ’ ‘ You don’t need to worry,’ said Polesov, looking round. ‘ I’ve come from Elena Bauer.’ ‘ What ? Is she here ? ’ ‘ Yes, she is, and she is very anxious to see you.’ ‘ Why ? ’ asked Bender ; ' and who are you ? ’ ‘ You needn’t be nervous,’ said the locksmith. ‘ You
