"Well, you boys have good times here," (I said dreamily) "I am glad I came. It's great! All these people had enough of our blood. Now--the people rule themselves! Great life!" "You bet! Stay with us longer and you'll see better things...." 43 Next day,--it was about four,--Pashinsky, who sticks near me thinking I am his best friend and admirer, punched me with his elbow and said: "Look, look. Who is coming." The Emperor, stooping and walking with tottering steps, was passing from the garden into the house. Dr. Botkin was with him. The Emperor's hands were clasped behind him, his eyes were staring downwards. An old, soiled soldier's blouse of khaki flannel was hanging on his spare, bowed, bony body. He was walking slowly, evidently trying to appear indifferent and calm. I had not seen him for a year and a half or even more. There was more gray in his whiskers,--and to me, at this moment he never seemed to so strikingly resemble his more fortunate English cousin. They passed very near us. Pashinsky loudly yawned and stretched right in the Emperor's face, who looked at him blankly; but under a dignified and elaborate calm--I detected a spark of wounded majesty. Then he looked at me,--evidently seeing in me nothing but a new jailer,--sighed, and turned his suffering face away. Dr. Botkin looked at me, too; he recognized me with a start. "Ever see the bloodsucker before? Did you see how I treat him?" "Never saw him. Where in the hell could I?... As for you--you certainly are some boy!" I was so near to the Emperor that for a moment I feared he could recognize me. But he did not, for he glanced twice at me and--passed by. When they were on the stairs, Botkin said something to him, and the Emperor turned around, his eyes resting for a moment on my figure. I brought up my hand,--so, that for the Emperor--it was a salute; for Pashinsky--a mosquito which I killed on my forehead. Both Emperor and Botkin immediately turned away and entered the Mansion. "You watch him closer, Syva," Pashinsky said, "I think we'll take him away for good pretty soon." Today,--during my watch hours I had time to make observations, especially, when the evening came and the night began. In the house silent figures were walking; these delicate shadows of yesterday; later--Princess Tatiana sat near the window with a book. ... (_line illegible_).... has not changed much. From time to time she would stop turning the pages,--and look--without expression, without moving--down at Pashinsky and me, and at the quiet city, at clear skies, at the distant golden crosses shining under the moon. There was something natural,--and yet not ordinary, in this dark figure behind the curtain.