'An individual told me. He'd seen him wandering about the neighbourhood making propaganda. Well, he kept an eye on him, though with no evil intent. He is a sympathiser. Pardon me,' he added, turning to Marianna, 'but really, our friend Nezhdanov has been very . . . very indiscreet.'
'It's no use blaming him now,' Solomin began again. 'It's a pity we can't talk things over with him; but his indisposition will be over by to-morrow, and the police are not so rapid in their movements as you imagine. You, too, Marianna Vikentyevna, ought to go away with him, I suppose.'
'Undoubtedly,' Marianna replied, thickly but resolutely.
'Yes,' said Solomin. 'We shall have to think things over; we shall have to find ways and means.'
'Allow me to lay one idea before you,' began Paklin; 'the idea entered my head as I came in here. I hasten to observe that I dismissed the cabman from the town, a mile away.'
'What is your idea?' asked Solomin.
'I'll tell you. Let me have horses at once . . . and I will gallop off to the Sipyagins,'
'To the Sipyagins!' repeated Marianna.. . . 'What for?'
'You shall hear.'
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