The Mission of Poubalov — page 101: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LITIZKI BREAKS HIS APPOINTMENT. 97 the thread of his story before he had come to the impor- tant part, rather than give him the advantage of estab- lishing a statement in smooth order. If he were telling the truth, no manner of interruption could prevent him from ‘ eventually making himself understood; if he were lying, , she must involve him in contradictions. So, without pre- ‘meditation, Clara said: “You are going just a little too fast for me, andI hope you will forgive me. Every detail, you know, seems im- ‘portant tome. Where had you been that morning, Mr. Billings?” ‘Been toa funeral, miss,’’ he answered promptly. **Yes, so I understood; but where?”’ “Out to Mount Auburn.’’ _ “That is quite a long way from Park Street, isn’tit? It must be four miles.”’ **Yes’m, ’bout that.’’ _ “It was about eleven o’clock, or a little after, when Mr. ‘Strobel’s coupé broke down, and you had been to Mount Auburn and had just got back. I see. Where did you leave your passengers, the persons you took to the funeral, lL “mean?’”’ With a glance of sullen resentment Billings answered: **At their house.’’ _ “Yes, Mr. Billings,’’ and Clara smiled as if she were not in the least annoyed, “‘but that isn’t telling where. I ‘didn’t ask for the street and number. Why should I? It “was in Cambridge, was it not?’’ _ After the slightest perceptible hesitation, Billings an- ‘swered: *No; ’twas in the West End.’’ **Ah, then you had come over Beacon Hill on your ‘way somewhere. Where were you going, Mr. Billings?” F As Billings hesitated more noticeably, she continued: “Do you have some regular place where you wait for ‘passengers, or do you drive about picking them up where you find them?’’ GOmichdoo Ss (EO iim