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Updated: May 9, 2025
But clearly this was to be denied him. He therefore proceeded to the head of the gangway-ladder and gave an order that presently resulted in the appearance of Colonel Sziszkinski, accompanied by the two armed guards. A single glance at the prisoner sufficed to satisfy von Schalckenberg that Captain Popovski was acting in good faith. He bowed to the officer, and said "Yes, that is the man we want.
The bow oarsman bore the boat off from the ship's side, the oar-blades flashed into the water, and a minute later Captain Popovski was standing on the deck of the Flying Fish, exchanging the most elaborate and ceremonious of bows with von Schalckenberg and Lethbridge, as his small deep-set eyes flashed fore and aft in inquisitive scrutiny of the few visible details of the extraordinary ship on board which he found himself.
"You shall pay dearly for this outrage, Captain Popovski," hissed Vasilovich, as he felt the cold iron being clamped round his wrists. "Only wait until his Majesty " "Silence!" exclaimed Popovski, angrily. "Remember that you are my prisoner, and learn to treat me with proper respect. If you give me the least trouble I will have you flogged.
"Good!" remarked von Schalckenberg, cheerfully. "Proceed, Captain Popovski, if you please." The Russian officer, who had been watching this little scene with a kindling eye and swiftly changing emotions, waved his hand to his men, who at once stolidly proceeded to remove the fetters from the limbs of Sziszkinski, and place them upon those of the savagely scowling count.
A few minutes then elapsed, at the expiration of which the officer who had been presented as Captain Popovski appeared at the gangway, and with much care and circumspection lowered himself gingerly down the side-ladder into the gig, where he seated himself square in the centre of the stern-sheets. He then gave an order to the coxswain, who repeated it to the boat's crew.
But no sooner were Captain Popovski and his satellites fairly clear of the Flying Fish than von Schalckenberg darted forward and, seizing the colonel by both hands, while his eyes beamed ardent friendship through the lenses of his gold-rimmed spectacles, exclaimed "Ach! mein friend, now that that prying Russian has gone we may act and speak freely!
"I trust not for his own sake," grimly replied Popovski. "If he does, I shall know how to deal with him." He lingered for a moment, to afford the strangers an opportunity to invite him below; then, perceiving that no such invitation was to be forthcoming, he resumed "Well, monsieur, I presume that the exchange which you have forced upon me is now completed, and I may go?"
He appeared as though about to speak, but the professor forestalled him. "Captain Popovski," said von Schalckenberg, in Russian, "I have to tender to you my most profound apologies for having thus somewhat unceremoniously interrupted the progress of your voyage; but unfortunately the information upon which I have acted came to me too late to render any other course possible.
Presently the latter came to the starboard end of the bridge, accompanied by the soldier, and hailed "This is Captain Popovski, the officer in charge of the convicts. He desires to know what is your business with him." "Tell him," returned von Schalckenberg, "that we have on board a prisoner to be exchanged for Colonel Sziszkinski, who has been unjustly condemned."
Will you have the goodness, Captain, to direct your men to remove his fetters and put them upon this man," indicating Vasilovich. "Stop!" shouted Vasilovich, suddenly stepping forward a pace from the position he had hitherto passively occupied between the professor and Lethbridge, and throwing out his arm with an authoritative gesture towards Captain Popovski. "Stop!
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