‘It’s an affront!’ said the Chargé.
‘Which we deeply regret,’ said Paul, ‘and shall do something about.’
‘Have already done something about,’ supplemented Owen. Paul had asked for support in his grovel and Owen had agreed to accompany him.
‘I am glad to hear it,’ said the Chargé. ‘The men have been flogged?’
‘Well, not exactly –’
‘Yet,’ said Owen quickly. ‘There are a few processes to go through first.’
‘A military court, you mean? Well, there is something to be said for letting criminals experience the full majesty of the law. It inculcates respect for authority.’
‘Quite so.’
‘All the same,’ said the Chargé, ‘the sooner they are flogged, the better. It’s like a dog. The longer the gap between crime and punishment the harder it is for the creature to understand. Soldiers are animals and should be treated as such.’
‘Well, yes, but –’
‘Believe me. I was in the Army myself, the Russian Army, that is. I know. They’re all peasants, you see, and as stupid as oxes. The only way you can drive anything into their thick heads is with the whip. Even then it’s difficult. Being peasants, they’re used to it. They don’t feel it as we would. It’s got to follow sharply after the event. And no half measures, either! How many lashes?’
‘How many – ?’
‘I’d advise at least sixty. Some say forty, but I think you’ve got to allow for the sun –’
The sun?’
‘Hardens the skin. They don’t feel it as much. No, in my view sixty should be standard. Of course, in a case as serious as this the standard is hardly good enough. No, on second thoughts it should be more. Eighty, perhaps. A hundred for the ringleaders.’
‘We’ll bear your advice in mind.’
‘Do. Do. Glad to share my experience with you. You’ll let them drink, of course?’
‘Well, I rather think they’ve been doing too much of that already –’
‘No, no. Just before they’re flogged. A glass or two of vodka. It makes it easier for them. I used to give them a bottle. I’m a humane man, you know.’
‘Well, of course, each country has its own practices –’
‘It doesn’t have to be vodka. Whisky would do. Or rum. You used to use rum, I believe, in the British Navy?’
‘I believe so, yes. A while ago.’
‘It’s better if they’re drunk. Mind you, some would say they’re drunk all the time.’
‘Yes, our soldiers have much in common.’
‘Discipline. That’s what they need.’
‘They certainly do. And I’m sorry you should have suffered because of a lack of it on the part of our soldiers.’
‘It’s nothing, it’s nothing. If it were just myself I would say no more. But, of course, an affront to my country – well, I am bound to resist that. Especially with the Grand Duke’s visit so imminent.’
‘Grand Duke?’ said Owen.
‘Yes. Only two and a half weeks away. I tick off each day on my calendar. Between you and me, it will be a great relief when it’s all over. If anything goes wrong, it’ll be my head on the block. Not literally, of course. We’re not a barbarous people.’
‘I must apologize once again,’ said Paul, beginning to rise from his chair.
‘Say no more about it. A mere bagatelle. A few drunken muzhiks, that’s all it was. Of course, I cannot formally withdraw my complaint.’
‘Oh, dear,’ said Paul, sitting down again. ‘I was hoping –’
‘If it was me, that would be the end of it. But, of course, when it’s my country –’
‘No insult was intended, Chargé!’
‘Of course not. They were too drunk to know what they were doing. But one was received, and since it was in public, and in view of the forthcoming visit –’
‘But, Chargé, precisely because of the forthcoming visit, mightn’t we hush things up? We don’t want a diplomatic incident, do we?’
‘We don’t,’ said the Chargé, ‘but back at home they might.’
‘I must confess this is a blow. Chargé. I had hoped for a quiet run-up to the Grand Duke’s visit.’
‘Me too,’ said the Chargé.
‘You don’t think you could postpone your complaint? Say, till after the visit was over?’
‘It’s already with the Parquet. It wouldn’t look good if I was to withdraw it and then put it back in.’
‘True, true. All the same – the fact is. Chargé, this stupid incident comes at a most awkward time.’
‘I can see that. Any other time, the British wouldn’t pay any attention.’
‘Well, that’s exactly it. Go on. Chargé, be a decent chap and I will send you round a bottle of Château d’Yquem.’
‘Well – ‘said the Chargé, weakening.
‘You’re the only one who’s left now.’
‘There were others? Other countries are involved?’
‘No, no! It’s just that the Mingrelian community –’
‘Mingrelian!’ The Chargé shot upright. ‘They were behind it?’
‘No, no! They were on the receiving end, actually –’
‘Assaulted?’
‘I’m afraid so.’
The Chargé leaped up from his chair and threw his arms around Paul.
‘The Mingrelians? Assaulted? But this is excellent news, excellent!’ He folded Owen, too, in a deep embrace. ‘My government will be delighted! Oh, that’s the way to do it! First we give it them back at home, now you give it them here! Excellent!’
He pressed the bell on his desk.
‘Vodka!’ he shouted. ‘Vodka, to celebrate! A toast! Undying friendship between our countries!’ He pressed Paul emotionally to him once again. ‘That is the way allies should behave! I will let my people know at once. The Mingrelians! Thrashed! And that’s even before Duke Nicholas gets here –’
He stopped suddenly.
‘Why not?’ he said. ‘Why not? I’ll put it to him. Those fine, brave men! A medal! For service to the Tsar! I’ll do it! You can rely on me!’
‘And the complaint? You withdraw the complaint?’
‘Complaint?’ said the Chargé. ‘What complaint? I have no complaint. Oh, no! Far from it!’
‘The Grand Duke’s visit?’ said Owen.
‘I was going to tell you about it. It’s just that I didn’t want to bother you when your mind was on more important things, like the cafés. The Khedive has invited him. In about three weeks’ time.’
‘A State Visit?’
‘Semi-State. Duke Nicholas is only the heir. He’s supposed to be on an informal tour of the Mediterranean. Well, actually, he’s so unpopular at home that the Tsar wanted to get him out of the country before someone threw a bomb at him.’
‘And