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near, and not yet closed. I can say no more, and, indeed, I am sure I need not."
"You have acted the part of a true friend, Captain. How long will the frontier be open? May I ask that?"
"Yes, I am expecting orders at any moment to guard a certain line of it, and the cordon will be very securely drawn."
This was news indeed, and for long after he had left me I sat brooding over it deep in thought. I was right after all, it seemed; and the cunning old Russian spider had woven a fresh web.