ent matter. That I can always do; the more
so, because we are such good friends. Why should I not do you such a
trifling service? As far as an introduction is concerned, you may
count on it." And they cordially shook each other by the hand.

XVI

GOLD DUST

Both Kallash and Kovroff were too cautious to take an immediate,
personal part in the gold-dust sale. There was a certain underling,
Mr. Escrocevitch by name, at Sergei Kovroff's beck and call--a shady
person, rather dirty in aspect, and who was, therefore, only admitted
to Sergei's presence by the back door and through the kitchen, and
even then only at times when there were no outsiders present.

Mr. Escrocevitch was a person of general utility and was especially
good at all kinds of conjuring tricks. Watches, snuff-boxes,
cigar-cases, silver spoons, and even heavy bronze paper-weights
acquired the property of suddenly vanishing from under his hands, and
of suddenly reappearing in a quite unexpected quarter. This valuable
gift had been acquired by Mr. Escrocevitch in his early years, when he
used to wander among the Polish fairs, swallowing burning flax for the
delectation of the public and disgorging endless yards of ribbon and
paper.

Mr. Escrocevitch was a precious and invaluable person also owing to
his capacity of assuming any _role_, turning himself into any given
character, and taking on the corresponding tone, manners, and
appearance, and he was, further, a pretty fair actor.

He it was who was chosen to play the part of the Siberian employee.

Not more than forty-eight hours had passed since the previous
conversation. Prince Shadursky was just up, when his footman announced
to him that a Mr. Valyajnikoff wished to see him.

The prince put on his dressing gown and went into the drawing-room,
where the tolerably presentable but strangely dressed person of Mr.
Escrocevitch presented itself to him.

"Permit me to have the honor of introducing myself," he began, bowing
to Prince Shadursky; "I am Ivanovitch Valyajnikoff. Mr. Sergei
Antonovitch Kovroff was so good as to inform me of a certain intention
of yours about the dust. So, if your excellency has not changed your
mind, I am ready to sell it to you with pleasure."

"Very good of you," answered Prince Shadursky, smiling gayly, and
giving him a chair.

"To lose no time over trifles," continued Mr. Escrocevitch, "let me
invite you to my quarters. I am staying at a hotel; you can see the
good