did, the deaf, and almost dumb, man
could guess what was suggested by Ivan. He raised his hands to Heaven
in horror, and then made rapid signs. "This infamous scoundrel will
stop at nothing."

Presently he grew drowsy again, and in a few moments relapsed into a
second deep sleep which lasted over a couple of hours. When he woke,
the outlaw, who was growing rather alarmed about the prolonged effects
of the narcotic, was bending over him.

Stepan repeated the question he had asked on his first waking, "Where
am I?"

Ivan explained to him again that in consequence of the infirmities
which so handicapped him, he was of little use against Zouroff and his
friends, that a man who closely resembled him had taken his place at
the villa.

Stepan, who now seemed thoroughly awake, intimated that he remembered.

Ivan proceeded, in his strong, resolute tones, "I am not a man who
takes any chances, as you well know. However well you lay your plans,
your ultimate success depends, more or less, on the support of your
confederates. That is why I took the liberty of giving you a little
harmless sleeping draught that effectually kept you from interfering
with my designs. You are none the worse for it, and very shortly you
shall have some vodka to pull yourself together."

Stepan, half-foolish as he was, understood this sort of language well.
The mention of the word had an almost instantaneous effect in
completing his recovery.

He rubbed his hands together and smiled his silly and vacant smile.
"And how goes it with the ruffian, Zouroff, who so wronged you, my
poor friend?"

"Make your mind easy, my dear Stepan," was Ivan's answer. "In a very
few hours we shall both be avenged. I had a note a short time ago from
the man who took your place at the Villa Quero." Ivan was the soul of
discretion and reticence. Even to so intimate a comrade as Stepan he
was not going to reveal the name of Corsini. "He suggested that this
very night, Zouroff and his rascally band will be taken into the
toils. I, your old friend, am no longer an outlaw, my pardon is
secured. Further, I shall have a handsome reward, and my old playmate,
Stepan, will receive his share. For us, comfort in our old age; for
that double-dyed villain, Siberia and the mines. It is good to think
of, Stepan, is it not?"

The half-witted creature emitted low, gurgling sounds of satisfaction.
Then he spoke rapidly on his fingers.

"It is worth living for, this day, Ivan. Will