"You must know that the victim, his wrist and ankles clasped by iron rings, is fixed to a sort of framework set erect in the ground--fixed in such a manner that he can make no movement, literally stretched as an eel's skin is stretched to dry. "About twenty paces off stands the executioner, with sleeves tucked up, for nothing must embarrass the freedom of his movements. He holds in both hands the instrument of punishment--the knout. This is a thong of thick leather, cut triangularly, an inch in breadth, from nine to twelve feet long, and tapering to a point; this tapering end is fixed to a little wooden shaft about two feet in length. "At the given signal the executioner advances, his body bent, and dragging the long lash between his legs. When he has arrived within three or four paces of his victim, he suddenly raises the knout above his head: the thong flies into the air, whistles, descends and clasps the naked torso of the sufferer as with a circle of iron. Notwithstanding his state of tension the victim bounds as if under a powerful shock of galvanism, at the same time uttering a shriek that, once heard, can never be forgotten. My God! Even now I often start from sleep with such a cry ringing in my ears. "In drawing back the lash again the executioner has a way of pulling it along the edges of the opened flesh in such a manner as to widen and deepen the wound it has made. "He retraces his steps and begins again the same manoeuvre as many times as the victim is condemned to suffer blows. When the thong envelops the body with its folds the flesh and the muscles are literally cut into segments, as with a razor. The victim, crimson with blood, foams at the mouth and writhes in fearful agonies. "And so our pretty Katina, nude to the waist--but enough; you have imagination, you can picture the scene." Katina herself with saddened air had now drawn near again, in her dark eyes a fire that spoke of a desire for vengeance. "Katina," said Paul, impulsively, "if this Feodor Orloff be still living tell me where he may be found; I will seek him out, challenge, and slay him." "No, brave Englishman, no. That vengeance belongs to me. No one must rob me of my due. And," she added with clenched hand and stern look, "the day is coming. Fate is drawing Count Orloff near to Czernova." "True!" replied Zabern. "He has lately been appointed governor-general of Warsaw, a province bordering on our own." "And his appointment bodes no good to Czernova," remarked Katina. "Marshal, I have a strange tale for your ears,--a tale I have been waiting the opportunity to relate. What will you say when I tell you that I have this very day seen the executioner who knouted me,--the minion of Orloff?" "You are dreaming, Katina."