such scum of the earth are we now forced after this revolution to
work!"

A few minutes later a soldier from Sepailoff brought us a tureen full
of soup and the fish pie. As the soldier bent over the table to set the
dishes down, the Chief motioned me with his eyes and slipped to me the
words: "Notice his face."

When the man went out, my host sat attentively listening until the
sounds of the man's steps ceased.

"He is Sepailoff's executioner who hangs and strangles the unfortunate
condemned ones."

Then, to my amazement, he began to pour out the soup on the ground
beside the brazier and, going out of the yurta, threw the pie over the
fence.

"It is Sepailoff's feast and, though it may be very tasty, it may
also be poison. In Sepailoff's house it is dangerous to eat or drink
anything."

Distinctly oppressed by these doings, I returned to my house. My host
was not yet asleep and met me with a frightened look. My friends were
also there.

"God be thanked!" they all exclaimed. "Has nothing happened to you?"

"What is the matter?" I asked.

"You see," began the host, "after your departure a soldier came from
Sepailoff and took your luggage, saying that you had sent him for
it; but we knew what it meant--that they would first search it and
afterwards. . . ."

I at once understood the danger. Sepailoff could place anything he
wanted in my luggage and afterwards accuse me. My old friend, the
agronome, and I started at once for Sepailoff's, where I left him at the
door while I went in and was met by the same soldier who had brought the
supper to us. Sepailoff received me immediately. In answer to my protest
he said that it was a mistake and, asking me to wait for a moment, went
out. I waited five, ten, fifteen minutes but nobody came. I knocked on
the door but no one answered me. Then I decided to go to Baron Ungern
and started for the exit. The door was locked. Then I tried the other
door and found that also locked. I had been trapped! I wanted at once to
whistle to my friend but just then noticed a telephone on the wall
and called up Baron Ungern. In a few minutes he appeared together with
Sepailoff.

"What is this?" he asked Sepailoff in a severe, threatening voice; and,
without waiting for an answer, struck him a blow with his tashur that
sent him to the floor.

We went out and the General ordered my luggage produced. Then he brought
me to his own yurta.

"Live here, now," he said. "I am very glad of this