"The chairman of the Committee on Army Regulations is my good friend Monsieur Magnitski," he said, fully articulating every word and syllable, "and if you like I can put you in touch with him.
" He paused at the full stop.
" I hope you will find him sympathetic and ready to co-operate in promoting all that is reasonable.
" A circle soon formed round Speranski, and the old man who had talked about his subordinate Pryanichnikov addressed a question to him.