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 drove off with me as his superior officer. All instructions were given into his hands, he received all money, gave all information, and a private soldier was appointed to help him when needed, to be sent anywhere, or to watch anything, to do this or that….

Very well…. In the early morning at day-break, going out from my chief, I looked and found my Ivanoff had already been drinking whisky. He was a man, in truth, not at all suitable for his office. In the presence of authority he behaved as he ought to an officer, but he told stories about others: he had already rendered bad service to others. But when he got out he at once secured a glass of whisky—that was his first duty. We came to the “palace,” and, as was necessary, delivered the paper; then we stood and waited. Curiosity seized me as to which young lady would drive out,