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Updated: May 23, 2025
The time soon came when I remembered his simile, and acknowledged its truth; and I knew then that that pot was filled with hell-broth! Even before we left Riga, where we were delayed for a couple of days getting our goods through the Customs and on to the train, I realized somewhat at least of the meaning of Mishka's enigmatic utterance. Not that we experienced any adventures.
Mishka's voice, and Mishka's burly figure, mounted on a horse, pressed forward slowly, forcing a way through for another horseman who followed close in his wake. "Make way, comrades," shouted Mishka again, and at the cry, at the sight of the grim silent horseman in the rear, a curious lull fell on all within sight and hearing; though elsewhere the strife raged furiously as ever.
Another missile fell at Mishka's feet, a small packet in a dark wrapping. He picked it up, thrust it in his pocket, swung into the saddle, and we were off on the instant. All he condescended to say was: "See that you are alone in the hour before dinner. There may be work to do." I took the hint, and as usual dispensed with Nicolai's proffered services.
When Mishka, the dissipated bear already described, bit off one of the ears of Basil, a hunter belonging to the castle, and Basil drew his knife and plunged it into Mishka's heart, Prince Alexis punished the hunter by cutting off his other ear, and sending him away to a distant estate.
There was a heavy footstep on the stair and next moment the door was tried, and Mishka's voice exclaimed: "It is I. Open to me, Herr Gould." There was no help for it, so I drew back the bolt. The door had no lock, only bolts within and without. As Mishka entered, the Jew bowed low to him, and slipped through the doorway.
This was getting serious, and I adopted a simple expedient to give him the slip for the present. I hailed a droshky and bade the fellow drive to a certain street, not far from that where Mishka's café was situated.
That fact, in a way, explained Mishka's position, which I have before defined as that of "confidential henchman." I found later that the father, as the son, was absolutely devoted to their master, who in his turn trusted them both implicitly. They were the only two about him whom he could so trust, for, as he had once told me, he was surrounded by spies.
Mishka's manner underwent a decided change from the moment we entered the castle precincts. The bluff and often grumpy air of familiarity was gone, and in its place was the surly deference with which he had treated me at first.
But I was not really molested; and, acting on Mishka's advice, I affected ignorance of the many and free remarks passed on my personal appearance. I walked on, almost to the outskirts of the little town, and turned to retrace my steps, when I was waylaid by a pedler, who had passed me a minute or so before.
We smoked in silence for some minutes, while I mused over the strangeness of my position. I had determined to return to Russia in search of Anne; had hailed Mishka's intervention, seized on the opportunity provided by the Grand Duke's invitation, as if they were God-sent.
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