It would be said that the evidence of Alexis, a serf devoted to his master, was valueless, and that you, as strangers, very imperfectly acquainted with the language, might well have misunderstood the conversation.

Count Smerskoff would swear that he was only repeating statements which Paul had previously made to him, and that he only promised money because Paul insisted that, as a first condition of his informing against me, he should receive funds to enable him to leave this part of the country, where his life would assuredly be unsafe.

I will thankfully take such a document from you, my friends, for it may be useful, but I must not trust too much to it.
Now come with me," he continued, as the steward reappeared.

"You have seen how a Russian noble can be kind to his serfs; you will now see how he punishes traitors." Followed by the steward and the two midshipmen, the count proceeded to the stables.

Here, by the light of the lantern, they saw Paul standing, bound against the manger.