He came forward and assisted his commanding officer down and into the launch which waited below. I followed, and the bottles of champagne were handed in afterward.
Vassileffsky seized the tiller with more energy than he had seemed capable of, and headed the launch for a great battleship, the _Beresina_.
In a few minutes we were alongside. A smart landing stage and ladder brought us up on to the deck, and as soon as our feet touched it, Captain Vassileffsky, suddenly drawing himself up, said in distinct and sober tones,
"Consider yourself under arrest, if you please----"
I was a prisoner on board a Russian man-of-war!
Fortunately I am accustomed to face emergencies without losing my presence of mind.
The manner of Vassileffsky had prepared me for some display of suspicion on his part, though I hardly anticipated his procedure would be so theatrical.
Fixing him with my sternest look, I responded,
"Captain Vassileffsky, I do not think you quite understand what you are doing. I will talk to you in the morning, when you are more yourself."
"Very well, I will listen to what you have to say in the morning. In the meantime you will be under a guard."
I shrugged my shoulders with a disdainful smile.
"Be good enough to let me see my quarters," I said.
More and more abashed, the Captain summoned one of his officers, and gave him some instructions.
"Follow me, sir," said the lieutenant. I walked after him with perfect self-possession.
"I do not wish to make a fuss to-night, as Captain Vassileffsky is not himself," I said haughtily, as we drew out of hearing. "But you will understand that unless I receive an apology in the morning, I shall complain to his majesty the Czar, by whose orders I am here."
"It is not my fault, as you can see, sir. I am only obeying orders. Will you accept my own berth for the night, sir?"
I thanked him and entered a small, comfortably-fitted state-room. With profuse apologies, he turned the key and left me to my own reflections.
I slept soundly, rocked by the tide of the Finland Gulf.
In the morning my jailer came to wake me.
"Captain Vassileffsky presents his compliments, and asks you to breakfast with him in his cabin, in half an hour."
This message was a welcome proof to me that my bluff had produced the desired effect. I accepted the invitation as if it was a matter of course.