The same lamp was
burning on the table, giving forth an odor of bad oil, but in addition
to this, two candles were lighted, which supplemented in some slight
measure the efforts of the lamp. At the end of the table lay a number
of documents under a paper-weight, arranged with the neat precision of
a methodical man. The Governor had been warming his hands over the
brazier, but ceased when Lermontoff was brought up standing before
him. He lifted the paper-weight, took from under it the two letters
which Lermontoff had given to the steward on the steamer, and handed
them to the prisoner, who thus received them back for the second time.
"I wish to say," remarked the Governor, with an air of bored
indifference which was evidently quite genuine, "that if you make any
further attempt to communicate with the authorities, or with friends,
you will bring on yourself punishment which will be unpleasant."
"As a subject of the Czar, I have the right to appeal to him," said
the Prince.
"The appeal you have written here," replied the Governor, "would have
proved useless, even if it had been delivered. The Czar knows nothing
of the Trogzmondoff, which is a stronghold entirely under the control
of the Grand Dukes and of the Navy. The Trogzmondoff never gives up a
prisoner."
"Then I am here for a lifetime?"
"Yes," rejoined the Governor, with frigid calmness, "and if you give
me no trouble you will save yourself some inconvenience.
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