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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON
believe a friend of children. . . . But you don’t need to be friendly with children. The pohce will not expect that of you.’ Hippolyte blushed scarlet. ‘ But how can I ? ’ ‘ In comparison with our scheme this action, even though it is dealt with by the criminal code, is mere child’s play.’ But Hippolyte was nervous. ‘ You’re an idealist, Konrad Karlovich. You’re reaUy lucky, for how would you like to be called Papa Khristozopulo or Zlovunov ? ’ Hippolyte rapidly agreed and they both went out without saying anything to the porter. They stopped at the ‘ Sorbonne ’ furnished rooms, where Bender created a commotion by insisting on seeing all the rooms. He examined the seven-rouble rooms, but he did not like the furniture ; he liked the five-rouble rooms a little better, but the carpet was shabby and the rooms were stuffy; the three-rouble rooms were all right with the exception of the pictures. ‘ I can’t live in a room with landscapes,’ said Bender. At last they settled in a room costing one rouble and eighty copecks. There were no landscapes or carpets in it and the furniture was strictly modest : two beds and a night-table. ' In the style of the Stone Age,’ said Bender approv ingly. ‘ Are there any prehistoric animals in your mattresses ? ’ ‘ That depends on the season,’ said the servant. ‘ If there is some provincial conference being held, then of course there aren’t any, for so many visitors are expected that everything is thoroughly spring-cleaned before they arrive. But at other times there may be a few. They run in from the “ Livadia ” next door.’ That same day the two conspirators went to the Administrative Department, where they received the
