Paul opened his mouth to speak, having no desire to skulk behind any screen of silence. But Sokolof held up a peremptory hand once more. "Tell me nothing. Anything you say might harm you. It could not possibly help. We will say nothing to Madame at present, in case it goes against you. For her sake I hope it will not." "And when----" "I shall have all the statements completed by to-morrow. I can say nothing more now." "Was it Dr. Irbatsky's coming--no, I remember, you said he only arrived last night----" "I got a telegram from St. Petersburg the day you left, saying that no orders had been sent to remove you to Yakutsk, and that a new doctor was on the way with special instructions concerning you." "I see. If Dr. Irbatsky had only arrived one day earlier----" "As doubtless he ought to have done. But your friend would have found himself in the lions' den. It would be interesting to know what he would have done." "He would have faced the matter boldly." "That without doubt. But he would have found himself in a very tight place." "I think he would have got out of it." "I'm inclined to think he would. He would probably have offered to convoy you to the coast and see you safely off Russian territory." It was late in the afternoon of the following day before Sokolof acquainted Pavlof with the result of his inquiries. "I have discovered nothing to incriminate you, beyond the fact that you were present during the fighting," he said. "You received that wound, I understand, in going to your friend's assistance when he was down. I am justified, therefore, in concluding that you took no part in the fight. I must insist on your not speaking"--as Pavlof opened his mouth. "I have asked each man specifically if he saw you in active resistance. They all agree that it was too dark to distinguish persons, and that they never saw you till you ran in to your friend. And so, Mr. Palma, I shall act on the instructions brought by Dr. Irbatsky and hand you your papers. I have here also certain documents from Palma's portmanteau. You had better take them. They seem of importance--to Madame at all events. Now you are at liberty to go to her and acquaint her with this matter, and--you can leave Kara when you will." Pavlof wrung the generous hand in silence. He could not trust himself to speak. Captain Sokolof had repaid him with interest. He took the papers and went out a free man. He went quickly to his cottage, in such a tumult of emotions, that Dr. Irbatsky, seeing him pass, took unction to his soul under the mistaken impression that he and Sokolof must have been drinking together, and argued well for his own prospective enjoyments of a similar nature. There was a light in the cottage, and Pavlof trod softly as he drew near, and peered through the window.