And now for the pawn-shop, Vjera!" Vjera took the skin over her arm and her companion picked up the samovar with its tray, and they moved on again.

Vjera's face was pale and sad, but she seemed more confident of success than ever, and her step was elastic and hopeful.

Johann Schmidt's curiosity was very great, as has been seen on previous occasions.

He did his best to control it, for some time, only trying to guess from the general appearance of the limp parcel what it might contain.

But his ingenuity failed to solve the problem.