p. I will do as you desire."

The next day I made known my plans to Marie. As Zourine's detachment was
to leave the city that same day, delay was impossible. I confided Marie
to my dear old Saveliitch, and gave him a letter for my father. Marie,
in tears, took leave of me. I did not dare to speak, lest the bystanders
should observe my feelings.

It was the end of the February; Winter, which had rendered manoeuvering
difficult was now at a close, and our generals were preparing for a
combined campaign. At the approach of our troops, revolted villages
returned to their duty, while Prince Galitzin defeated the usurper,
and raised the siege of Orenbourg, which was the death-blow to the
rebellion. We heard of Pougatcheff in the Ural regions, and on the
way to Moscow. But he was captured. The war was over. Zourine received
orders to return his troops to their posts. I jumped about the room
like a boy. Zourine shrugged his shoulders, and said: "Wait till you are
married, and see how foolish you are!"

I had leave of absence. In a few days I would be at home and united to
Marie. One day Zourine came into my room with a paper in his hand, and
sent away the servant.

"What's the matter?" said I.

"A slight annoyance," he answered, handing me the paper. "Read."

It was confidential order addressed to all the chiefs of detachments to
arrest me, and send me under guard to Khasan before the Commission
of Inquiry, created to give information against Pougatcheff and his
accomplices. The paper fell from my hands.

"Do not be cast down," said Zourine, "but set out at once."

My conscience was easy, but the delay! It would be months, perhaps,
before I could get through the Commission. Zourine bade me an
affectionate adieu. I mounted the telega (Summer carriage), two hussars
withdrawn swords beside, and took the road to Khasan.

XIV. THE SENTENCE.

I had no doubt that I was arrested for having left the fortress of
Orenbourg without leave, and felt sure that I could exculpate myself.
Not only were we not forbidden, but on the contrary, we were
encouraged to make forays against the enemy. My friendly relations with
Pougatcheff, however, wore a suspicious look.

Arriving at Khasan, I found the city almost reduced to ashes. Along
the streets there were heaps of calcined material of unroofed walls
of houses--a proof that Pougatcheff had been there. The fortress was
intact. I was taken there and delivered to the officer on d