And when they speak together of the great heart that lies at rest there, their own hearts are very full--of the loyal-souled one who went so boldly to his death for them--and of that Guiding Hand which inspired and accepted the sacrifice, and turned it to their lasting good. The same day Pavlof made arrangements for their journey to Vladivostok, and then went up for a last talk with Captain Sokolof. He told him their decision as to Palma's money, and Sokolof did his best to veil his impression that the joy of freedom had made them slightly mad. "Da! 200,000 roubles!" he said. "That is a fortune not easily arrived at. And you will throw it away." "By no means, if you will help us to make good use of it." "I will help you, but it is throwing it away all the same." "We don't think so. I will send, to you direct, from time to time, money to help our friends here who are in need. Dmitri Polokof and Madame Roskova will give you their names." "I will see to it. Are you taking any letters?" he asked, and fixed him with a keen eye. "Not one. I knew you would ask." "Messages?" "That you can hardly stop me doing," said Pavlof, with a smile, "but none that will do you any harm." And next morning they shook him warmly by the hand, and even felt some regret at parting from him. For, if he was a hard man, he was just, according to his lights and the cast-iron nature of his environment, and to them he had proved a good friend and one who did not forget. Colonel Zazarin was still too ill to care a kopeck what became of them or of the whole settlement. His thoughts were wandering in such strange and shadowy places that Anna Roskova sat in his room with her fingers stuffed into her ears, and her heart full of loathing and pity at these self-revelations of a tortured soul. Captain Sokolof provided Paul with the necessary papers for securing their immunity on the road, and furnished him with the usual orders for post-horses at the various stations. And so, with hearts at ease, such as they had been very far from feeling on the last occasion, they once more turned their faces towards freedom. And if those who crowded to the cottage doors, to wave them hearty farewells as they passed, envied them their great good fortune, not one but acknowledged that none deserved it better, and not one begrudged them the smallest piece of it. THE END. UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, THE GRESHAM PRESS, WOKING AND LONDON.