How did such a strange friendship originate, and upon what was it based, if not on treachery, or, at least, on base and criminal cowardice?"
I was deeply hurt at the officer's words, and proceeded to exculpate myself with warmth. I related in what manner my acquaintance with Pougatcheff had begun in the steppe, during a snowstorm, and how he recognized and spared me at the taking of the fortress of Byĕlogorsk. I admitted that I did not scruple to accept the touloup and the horse from the pretender, but that I had defended the fortress of Byĕlogorsk against the rebel, to the last extremity. I concluded by referring him to my general, who could testify to my zeal during the calamitous siege of Orenburg.
The stern old man took up an open letter and read it aloud:
"With reference to the inquiry made by your excellency in regard to Ensign Grineff, supposed to be implicated in the present uprising, and to have entered into communication with the insurgent, a proceeding contrary to the rules of the service, and in violation of the oath of allegiance; I have the honour to report, that the said Ensign Grineff was on duty at Orenburg from the beginning of October of the past year, 1773, to the 24th of February of the present year, at which date he absented himself from the town, and has not served under my command since. Deserters from the enemy are reported to have stated that he has been in Pougatcheff's camp, and that he drove with him to the fortress of Byĕlogorsk, in which he had formerly served; with
