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inlaid with mother-of-pearl and a roll of exquisite music, “ Good-bye, my Gipsy It was obvious that the youth’s occupation had been poker work, for there was a certificate in his coat pocket issued by the Craftsmen’s Union ‘ Pegasus and Parnassus ’ on the 23, viii, 24, Number 86/1562.” And, Pussy, they would give me a wonderful funeral, with an orchestra and many speeches.’ As they went on talking, the two friends approached the Cheboksar landing-stage. In the evening they managed to increase their capital by five roubles by selling the Vassuki boat, which they had hired. Then they went on board the steamer Uritsky and were soon on their way to Stalingrad, where they expected to meet the Columbus Theatre company, for they hoped to overtake the Scriabin on the way. The Uritsky sailed down the river. The Scriabin put in at Stalingrad at the beginning of July, and the two friends watched it come in as they hid behind some packing-cases on the landing-stage. Before unloading there was a lottery on board, and large money prizes were offered. They had to wait about four hours before the chairs were taken off. The Columbus Theatre company were the first to leave the steamer, and Bender recognized Persitsky’s shining face among them. From their ambush the two con spirators heard him shout: ‘ Yes, I’m going to Moscow at once. I’ve already sent them a telegram, and what d’you think I said to them ?—“ I rejoice with you.” Let them guess what it means ! ’ Persitsky then examined a motor-car carefully, and after feeling the radiator, decided to hire it, got in, and drove away to the mysterious accompaniment of ‘ Hurrah ! Hurrah ! ’ from the other passengers. The hydraulic press was lifted out of the hold, the Columbus Theatre properties came next, and it was only when it was quite dark that the chairs were taken off the steamer.
