Then he turned and held out his hand, for fear she should trip over the high threshold.

She nodded her thanks, but refused the proffered assistance.
Steinmetz lingered behind to give some last instructions, leaving Paul and Catrina to walk on down the narrow street alone.

The moon was just rising--a great yellow moon such as only Russia knows--the land of the silver night.
"How long have you been doing this ?" asked Catrina suddenly.

She did not look toward him, but straight in front of her.
"For some years now," he replied simply.
He lingered.

He was waiting for Steinmetz, who always rose to such emergencies, who understood secrets and how to secure them when they seemed already lost.