Page:The Career of a Nihilist.djvu/156
Andrey looked at Zina attentively whilst she was speaking, but he hardly listened to what she said. Their plan was ruined, that was the only thing he realised clearly.
"That's the fruit of our procrastination!" he exclaimed reproachfully.
He was so aggrieved that he did not think how unjust and cruel was his remark.
"We might have fared much worse if we hadn't been cautious," Zina replied calmly. "If the gaolers had got wind of the thing beforehand through Zuckat, a trap would have been laid and all our people caught. Now we have only to begin the thing over again."
"For the third time, I suppose!" Andrey put in peevishly.
"No, for the fifth. We have tried and abandoned three different plans before we started this one."
"What will be our next move, then? Have we anything left us?" Andrey asked, trying to be calm.
"Something will turn up, I hope. We must see. . . . Boris may suggest something. . . . Our money is running short—that is the worst of it."
A long pause ensued, both keeping to their own thoughts.
Zina broke the silence.
"I am informed that the attorney has received from St Petersburg the order to push on Boris's trial."
She had learned this from the wife of one of the officials connected with the prosecution. It was her habit to communicate to Andrey all her news.
"What does it amount to?" Andrey inquired.
"To nothing particular. They'll have to undergo some new interrogations; that is all."
"Are the interrogations made in the precincts of the gaol, or are the prisoners moved elsewhere?" Andrey asked, an idea flashing into his mind.
"The interrogations are made in the city," Zina replied. "The examining commission thinks it derogatory to their dignity to go after their victims. The prisoners are brought under escort to the court where the commission holds its sittings."
"What if we tried an attempt at rescue on the way?" Andrey asked, turning on the bench towards Zina.
She looked astonished.
"In the street of a big town? In open daylight? Are you in your senses?"