io6
DIAMONDS TO SIT ON
' Come and see us again, won’t you ? ’ said Nicky’s wife. ‘ My husband and I will be very pleased.’ ‘ They’re inviting guests again ! ’ said a disgusted voice from next door. ‘ As though they don’t have enough visitors ! ’ ' What’s that got to do with you, you fools ? ’ said Nicky’s wife in quite a level voice. ‘You see ! ’ said an excited voice from next door. ‘ Your wife is being insulted and you don’t say any thing I ’ Voices began to shout from the other cubicles as Hippolyte and Bender went downstairs to find Ivanopulo. The student was not at home, but after striking a match, Hippolyte found a note pinned to the door : ‘ Back at nine.’ ' Never mind,’ said Bender, ‘ I know where he keeps the key.’ He fumbled about under the safe, produced a key, and unlocked the door. Ivanopulo’s cubicle was the same size as Nicky’s, but because it was in the corner one of the walls was made of brick. The student was very proud of this fact. To his dismay Hippolyte noticed that the student did not even have a mattress. ‘ Oh ! we’ll manage splendidly,’ said Bender. ‘ It’s a very decent cubicle for Moscow. If we all three lie in a row there’ll still be plenty of floor-space. But what the devil has he done with his mattress ? ’ Bender spread a newspaper on the floor. Hippolyte pulled out a travelling pillow, and it was not long before they were both fast asleep.
