not get it—­and the rogues, in order to “keep him quiet,” had to give him whatever share of their plunder he graciously deigned to indicate.  Acting with extraordinary skill and acumen in all his undertakings he always managed so that not a shadow of suspicion could fall on himself and so he got a double share of the plunder:  robbing the honest folk and the rogues at the same time.  Kovroff escaped the contempt of the crooks because he did things on such a big scale and embarked with his Golden Band on the most desperate and dangerous enterprises that the rest of roguedom did not even dare to consider.

The rogues, whatever their rank, have a great respect for daring, skill, and force—­and therefore they respected Kovroff, at the same time fearing and detesting him.

“Who are you getting that passport for?” he asked, calmly taking the paper from the table and slipping it into his pocket.  Gretcka nodded toward Bodlevski.

“Aha! for you, is it?  Very glad to hear it!” said Kovroff, measuring him with his eyes.  “And so, gentlemen, twenty-five rubles, or good-by—­to our happy meeting in the police court!”

“Mr. Kovroff!  Allow me to speak to you as a man of honor!” Pacomius Borisovitch again interrupted.  “We are only getting twenty rubles for the job.  The whole gang will pledge their words of honor to that.  Do you think we would lie to you and stain the honor of the gang for twenty measly rubles?”

“That is business.  That was well said.  I love a good speech, and am always ready to respect it,” remarked Sergei Antonitch approvingly.

“Very well, then, see for yourself,” went on the red-nosed Pacomius, “see for yourself.  If we give you everything, we are doing our work and not getting a kopeck!”

“Let him pay,” answered Kovroff, turning his eyes toward Bodlevski.

Bodlevski took out his gold watch, his only inheritance from his father, and laid it down on the table before Kovroff, with the five rubles that remained.

Kovroff again measured him with his eyes and smiled.

“You are a worthy young man!” he said.  “Give me your hand!  I see that you will go far.”

And he warmly pressed the engraver’s hand.  “But you must know for the future,” he added in a friendly but impressive way, “that I never take anything but money when I am dealing with these fellows.  Ho, you!” he went on, turning to the company, “some one go to uncle’s and get cash for this watch; tell him to pay conscientiously at least two thirds of what it is worth; it is a good watch.  It would cost sixty rubles to buy.  And have a bottle of champagne got ready for me at the bar, quick!  And if you don’t, it will be the worse for you!” he called after the departing Yuzitch, who came back a few minutes later, and gave Kovroff forty rubles.  Kovroff counted them, and put twenty in his pocket, returning the remainder in silence, but with a gentlemanly smile, to Bodlevski.