Chapter 6 Summary

Flashy and East size one another up, amazed at being reunited after 15 years. Although in school they are hardly friends, Flashy resolves to let bygones be bygones while they are stuck together. When Flashy asks about Pencherjevsky and this place, East invites him to walk the gardens and there tells him the rooms have concealed "speaking-tubes." They cannot stay outside too long because Russians trust no one, but a coat hung over the tube thwarts listeners. When Flashy asks about the beautiful girl, East blushes and says she is the Count's married daughter, and admits he avoids going to family dinner rather than be tempted by her. Flashy remains lusty, but wants to get the lay of the land first.

Looking like the ogre in "Jack and the Beanstalk" or the giant Goliath, the Count in a thunderous bass voice welcomes Flashy to...