"Has he come to?" he asked quickly, as he dismissed the orderly. "He has moved for the first time since I came, and it indicates a change. He has not spoken,"--and they sat and waited. Presently a slow sigh from the bed, and they bent over it. Palma opened his eyes wearily and looked up at them. "Do you know who I am?" asked Sokolof. A faint smile flickered over Palma's lips. "I want you to tell me who you are?" Serge's eyes turned inquiringly on Paul, who bent down and took his cold hand in his. "Paul Pavlof," whispered Serge. "And who is this?" asked Sokolof, indicating Paul. He looked steadily into Sokolof's eyes and answered, "Serge Palma." "I have thought it wise to trust Captain Sokolof with the whole truth, Serge," said Paul, slowly and distinctly. A faint surprise showed in the tired eyes. "Now tell me," said Sokolof again. "Who is this?" indicating Paul. "Paul Pavlof." "And you are----?" "Serge Palma." "And that is the truth as you are about to appear before God?" "The truth." "Now I want to know who furnished you with the documents you brought here." At that, the shadowy smile flickered over the dying man's lips once more, but he made no answer. "You will not tell me?" "Never," came the feeble whisper. They saw the lips move again presently, and both bent close. "Hope?" he murmured. "She is at home, Serge," said Paul. "It has tried her hard, all this." "Sorry." "We shall never forget it, or you. You did nobly." He looked at Sokolof, who bent down to him. "I pay----not them." Sokolof straightened up and pondered for a moment. Then he bent down again, and spoke slowly and clearly as Pavlof had done. "Listen, Palma. I received from Petersburg last night papers authorising me to set Serge Palma at liberty, on account of his services here, and on condition of his leaving the country at once and never setting foot on Russian territory again." A great light glowed in the dulling eyes for a moment. "That is Serge Palma," he said, in so loud a voice that it startled them--and died with the beautiful lie on his lips. Paul knelt down by the bed, still holding the hand which grew colder and colder in his. He forgot Sokolof and all else for the moment. This man had given his life for him and for the woman they both loved, and his heart was sore stricken at his going, and by so sorrowful a path. It was Sokolof who broke the silence at last. "The pity," he said gravely, "that such men should be wasted." CHAPTER XXVIII HOW SOKOLOF PAID HIS DEBT "It is true what I told your friend," said Sokolof, when they had returned to his quarters. "I had not intended to tell you until I had finished my other inquiries, but I could not resist the temptation.----A brave man.----It is a grievous thing that we must have such against us.----But you understand, Mr. Palma--to me you remain Palma. I know nothing of the rest. And you understand also that if my inquiries implicate you in the fighting----"