The elderly gentleman was now visibly alarmed. Backing toward the gate with as much dignity as he could muster, he began to speak soothingly:
"Of course, I wouldn't swear to it, but still the facts— the facts!
My dear sir!
I beg you—please do not come any closer.
Naturally—I have no idea why—but your appearance, your strange behaviour. . . ."
"Look here," declared the old man, advancing on the doctor. "There must be some misunderstanding."
"My dear sir!" cried the elderly gentleman, staring hypnotised at the revolver and continuing to retreat. "This conversation of ours is taking a most undesirable and, I might say, considering our age, a most undignified course."
He stepped quickly through the gate and hurried away, repeating:
"No, no, a most undesirable course—most undignified!"
The old man reached the gate just as Olga, on her way to have a swim in the river, came level with the agitated gentleman.
Suddenly the old man began waving his arms and calling to Olga to stop.
At this the elderly gentleman leaped over a ditch with the agility of a goat, seized Olga's hand and, in a twinkling, the two disappeared around the corner.
The old man burst out laughing.
Obviously elated and thoroughly pleased with himself, he went stumping off on his wooden leg singing:
But you'll never understand Flying fast above the land How long and slow the waiting for your plane!
Ah!
Then he unfastened the strap at his knee, flung the wooden leg into the grass and, tearing off his wig and beard, ran into the house.
Ten minutes later the young and cheerful engineer George Garayev ran down the steps, wheeled his motorcycle out of the barn, called the dog Rita and set her to guard the house, pressed the starter, swung into the saddle and sped off to the river in search of the frightened Olga.
At 11 a.m. Geika and Nick set out for the reply to the ultimatum.
"Walk straight," Geika growled at Nick. "You ought to walk with a light and firm step.
But you go hopping along like a chicken trying to catch a worm.
Your get-up's fine—pants, shirt and everything—but you still look like nothing on earth.
Don't go and take offence—I'm talking sense to you.
Now why do you have to lick your lips as you go along?
Stick your tongue back in your mouth and keep it where it belongs. . . . And what are you doing here?" Geika asked Sima Simakov, who had just popped up in their path.
"Timur sent me to act as liaison," Simakov rattled off. "It's okay even if you don't know what it's all about.
You've got your assignment and I've got mine.
Nick, let me blow your bugle—just once.
Boy, aren't you looking important today!
Geika, you nut!
You might have put a pair of boots or shoes on when you're on a mission!
Ever see a barefoot ambassador?
Well, so long—you go that way and I go this way.
Be seeing you!"
"What a rattle-pate!" Geika shook his head. "Shoots of a hundred words where four would do.
Sound your bugle, Herald, here's the fence."
"Bring up Mikhail Kvakin!" Geika told the boy whose head appeared above the fence.
"To the right, please. You'll find the gate open to welcome you," Kvakin called from the other side.
"Let's not go," Nick whispered to Geika, tugging at his hand. "They'll beat us up."
"You mean all of them against us two?" Geika said contemptuously. "Blow your bugle, Nick—louder!
We go wherever we choose!"
They walked through the rusty iron gate and found themselves face to face with a group of boys. In front stood Figure and Kvakin.
"Let's have the answer to our letter," Geika demanded firmly.
Kvakin was smiling, Figure scowling.
"Let's talk this over," Kvakin offered. "Sit down a while, what's the hurry?"
"Give us the answer to the letter," Geika insisted coldly. "We can talk afterwards."
It was hard to tell whether he was play-acting, this upright, sturdy chap in the sailor's jersey, at whose side stood the puny, now pallid bugler.
Or whether he was really demanding an answer as he stood there, barefoot and broad-shouldered, his grey eyes mere slits, confident that justice and power were on his side.
"Here, take it," said Kvakin, handing him a note.
Geika unfolded the sheet of paper.