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I'll throw in my Second-Class Silver. Who knows, some day it may be the height of fashion to go to a fancy-dress ball as an Austrian officer vintage nineteen-eighteen. Yes, my friend, this is a historic moment. Frau Wessely, when are you going to tidy up? I can't leave everything scattered around like this, for God's sake! Frau Wessely! She hasn't heard again, the old bitch. Do sit down, Vit¬torin. What brings you here?"
    "I've had some important news," Vit¬torin said. "I wanted to discuss it privately first and sound you out before I officially inform the others. Listen to this: Selyukov isn't at Chernavy-ensk any longer. All the reports I've received in the last few days indicate that he's . . . what is it? Where are you off to?"
    Emperger had scuttled out of the room.
    "What's the matter with you, Frau Wessely?" Vit¬torin heard him shouting. "Why don't you come when I call you? When are you going to tidy up in there? The place is an absolute pigsty, and it's half-past five already. Let's see what you've brought. Is that all? Sardines, I told you, and liver pate. Surely you could have drummed up a slice or two of salami? I can't offer my guests turnip jam, for heaven's sake. Two bottles of curaqao and one of anisette, I said. Lump sugar, salami, sardines - yes, Portuguese will do, any kind you like as long as they're edible. Money? What, again? It's scandalous! I gave you some only this morning. What do you do with it all, chuck it out of the window?"
    He returned out of breath.
    "You must forgive me, Vit¬torin, I don't know whether I'm on my head or my heels. The apartment hasn't been aired yet, and I'm expecting guests this evening. I have to see to everything myself. Well, what about Selyukov? Let's have it."
    Vit¬torin was thoroughly put out. He'd lost the urge to confide in one for whom news of Selyukov took second place to Curasao, lump sugar and sardines.
    "I've received certain reports," he said curtly. "We must fix a meeting for tomorrow or the day after, no later — the matter's urgent. Kindly make the necessary arrangements."
    "Tomorrow or the day after?" Emperger exclaimed. "Impossible! I'm dining with my boss tomorrow night, and the night after that I've got tickets for the opera. Days are no good — I don't have a moment to spare now I'm settling in at the bank. Maybe you'll have to do without me this time -no, wait a minute! Of course, that's the simplest solution! Feuerstein and the Professor are coming tonight. You must come too - you'll meet a few nice people. That's settled: half-past eight, quarter to nine. I'll look forward to seeing you then. We can sit on for a bit afterwards and discuss the matter. Sorry it never occurred to me to invite you in the first place."
    "Fine," said Vit¬torin. "I'll come, and I'll also make it my business to let Kohout know."
    Emperger seemed anything but pleasantly impressed by this suggestion.
    "Kohout?" he said. "You intend to bring Kohout too? Well, if you think it's . . . Oh, all right, just as you please, I don't mind."
    Vit¬torin rang Emperger's doorbell at a quarter to nine and was admitted by a manservant who worked by day as a cashier at the bank. Emperger greeted him in the hall.
    "Ah, there you are," he said. "I told the others you were coming. It's only a small party, but a mixed one. Kohout's already here. A rum fellow, Kohout. He's brought some friend of his who spends the whole time swearing at the bourgeoisie - embarrassing, isn't it? I don't know what to do with the man. He uses the familiar form of address to Feuerstein, either because he's taken to him or as a mark of contempt. Hurry up and get your coat off. Heaven knows what's going on in there - they may be at each other's throats by now."
    Vit¬torin entered the room with a vague premonition that he wouldn't cut a very elegant figure in his pre-war frock coat. There were at least a few familiar faces in sight, thank God. The Professor shook his hand. Feuerstein, sweating profusely in a