"'Mr., Mr.,' he said several times, as though he wanted to rouse him to consciousness. Then, quite suddenly, Mr. seemed to realise. He looked at Semyonov and smiled, one of those rather timid, shy smiles that were so customary with him. His eyes though were not timid. They were filled with the strangest look of triumph and expectation. "The two men looked at one another and I, seeing that nothing was to be done, waited. Semyonov then, speaking as though he and Mr. were alone in all this world of noise and confusion, said: "'You've won, Mr.... You've won!' He repeated this several times as though it was of the utmost importance that Mr. should realise his words. "Mr., smiling, looked at Semyonov, gave a little sigh, and died. "I can hear now the tones of Semyonov's voice. There was something so strange in its mixture of irony, bitterness and kindness--just that rather contemptible, patronising kindness that is so especially his. "We had no time to wait after that. We got the wagons out by a miracle without losing a man. Semyonov was marvellous in his self-control and coolness...." We were both silent for a long time. Nikitin only once again. "Andrey!... My God, how I will miss him!" he said--and I, who knew how often he had cursed the little man and been impatient with his importunities, understood. "I have lost more--far more--than Andrey," he said. "I talked to you once, Ivan Andreievitch. You will understand that I have no one now who can bring her to me. I think that she will never come to me alone. I never needed her as he did, No more dreams...." We were interrupted by Semyonov, who, carrying a lantern, passed us. He saw us and turned back. "We must be ready by seven," he said sharply. "A general retirement. Ivan Andreievitch, do you know whether Mr. had friends or relations to whom we can write?" "I heard of nobody," I answered. "Nobody?" "Nobody." Just before he turned my eyes met his. He appeared to me as a man who, with all his self-control, was compelling himself to meet the onset of an immeasurable devastating loss. He gave us a careless nod and vanished into the darkness. * * * * *