aron Ungern with his sharp, nervous voice carried his
thoughts round the whole circumference of Asian life.

"Russia turned traitor to France, England and America, signed the
Brest-Litovsk Treaty and ushered in a reign of chaos. We then decided
to mobilize Asia against Germany. Our envoys penetrated Mongolia, Tibet,
Turkestan and China. At this time the Bolsheviki began to kill all the
Russian officers and we were forced to open civil war against them,
giving up our Pan-Asiatic plans; but we hope later to awake all Asia
and with their help to bring peace and God back to earth. I want to feel
that I have helped this idea by the liberation of Mongolia."

He became silent and thought for a moment.

"But some of my associates in the movement do not like me because of
my atrocities and severity," he remarked in a sad voice. "They cannot
understand as yet that we are not fighting a political party but a sect
of murderers of all contemporary spiritual culture. Why do the Italians
execute the 'Black Hand' gang? Why are the Americans electrocuting
anarchistic bomb throwers? and I am not allowed to rid the world of
those who would kill the soul of the people? I, a Teuton, descendant of
crusaders and privateers, I recognize only death for murderers! . . .
Return!" he commanded the chauffeur.

An hour and a half later we saw the electric lights of Urga.

CHAPTER XXXVII

THE CAMP OF MARTYRS

Near the entrance to the town, a motor car stood before a small house.

"What does that mean?" exclaimed the Baron. "Go over there!"

Our car drew up beside the other. The house door opened sharply, several
officers rushed out and tried to hide.

"Stand!" commanded the General. "Go back inside." They obeyed and he
entered after them, leaning on his tashur. As the door remained open, I
could see and hear everything.

"Woe to them!" whispered the chauffeur. "Our officers knew that the
Baron had gone out of the town with me, which means always a long
journey, and must have decided to have a good time. He will order them
beaten to death with sticks."

I could see the end of the table covered with bottles and tinned things.
At the side two young women were seated, who sprang up at the
appearance of the General. I could hear the hoarse voice of Baron Ungern
pronouncing sharp, short, stern phrases.

"Your native land is perishing. . . . The shame of it is upon all you
Russians . . . and you cannot understand it . . . nor feel it. . .