I am desperately
hungry. The journey had been so slow from Wilanow."
He had already perceived that Kosmaroff understood both English and
French, and that it was of him that Martin was afraid. He spoke slowly,
so as to give Martin time to pull himself together. Kosmaroff stepped
forward to the horse and examined the shoe indicated. It was nearly off.
Martin turned, and explained in Polish that the gentleman had come for
a hammer and some nails--that his horse had nearly lost a shoe. Cartoner
had simply forced him to become his ally, and had even indicated the
line of conduct he was to pursue.
"Get a hammer--one of you," said Kosmaroff, over his shoulder, and
Martin bit his lip with a sudden desire to speak--to say more than was
discreet. He took his cue in some way from Cartoner, without knowing
that wise men cease persuading the moment they have gained consent.
Never comment on your own victory.
Never had Cartoner's silent habit stood him in such good stead as during
the following moments, while a skilled workman replaced the lost
shoe. Never had he observed so skilled a silence, or left unsaid such
dangerous words. For Kosmaroff watched him as a cat may watch a bird.
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