Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/140

bed, when, about nine o'clock in the evening, the door was opened slowly, a bearded man, dressed in sheep-skin, entered, gave me a large parcel under my address, bowed to me, and disappeared without saying a word. I opened the parcel, and found in it a letter and a large book. The former was from Samoilow, who wrote to me, that having found me obstinate and reserved in my verbal examination, he hoped that I would say more in a written reply to the questions which he enclosed for me; that a situation in diplomacy, or an annuity for life, was promised to me as a reward for my frankness; but if, on the contrary, I should persist in keeping silence, or give evasive answers to the questions, I should have myself to blame for the punishment which awaited me. The book extended to ten folio pages, each page being numbered in the Russian language. The questions were put on one side, and on the other the paper was left blank. I was desired to have the answers in readiness the following day. As far as I can recol-