I had no doubt that I was arrested for having left the fortress of
Orenbourg without leave, and felt sure that I could exculpate myself.
Not only were we not forbidden, but on the contrary, we were encouraged
to make forays against the enemy. My friendly relations with
Pougatcheff, however, wore a suspicious look.

Arriving at Khasan, I found the city almost reduced to ashes. Along
the streets there were heaps of calcined material of unroofed walls of
houses--a proof that Pougatcheff had been there. The fortress was
intact. I was taken there and delivered to the officer on duty. He
ordered the blacksmith to rivet securely iron shackles on my feet. I
was then consigned to a small, dark dungeon, lighted only by a loop-
hole, barred with iron. This did not presage anything good, yet I did
not lose courage; for, having tasted the delight of prayer, offered by
a heart full of anguish, I fell asleep, without a thought for the
morrow. The next morning I was taken before the Commission. Two
soldiers crossed the yard with me, to the Commandant's dwelling.
Stopping in the ante-chamber, they let me proceed alone to the
interior.

I entered quite a spacious room. At a table, covered with papers, sat
tow personages,--a General advanced in years, of stern aspect, and a
young officer of the Guards, of easy and agreeable manners. Near the
window, at another table, a secretary, pen on ear, bending over a
paper, was ready to take my deposition.

The interrogation began: "Your name and profession?" The General
asked if I was the son of Andrew Grineff, and upon my replying in the