At
first Prothero always accompanied Benham on these expeditions; then
he began to make excuses. He would stay behind in the hotel. Then
when Benham returned Prothero would have disappeared. When the
porter was questioned about Prothero his nescience was profound.
One night no Prothero was discoverable at any hour, and Benham, who
wanted to discuss a project for going on to Kieff and Odessa, was
alarmed.
"Moscow is a late place," said Benham's student friend. "You need
not be anxious until after four or five in the morning. It will be
quite time--QUITE time to be anxious to-morrow. He may be--close at
hand."
When Benham hunted up Prothero in his room next morning he found him
sleepy and irritable.
"I don't trouble if YOU are late," said Prothero, sitting up in his
bed with a red resentful face and crumpled hair. "I wasn't born
yesterday."
"I wanted to talk about leaving Moscow."
"I don't want to leave Moscow."
"But Odessa--Odessa is the centre of interest just now."
"I want to stay in Moscow."
Benham looked baffled.
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