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64 "Wait a bit, Ivan Kouzmitch," said the commandant's wife, rising. "Let me take Masha out of the house, or she will get frightened on hearing shrieks. And truth to tell, I myself am not fond of such investigations. Good-bye to you."

The system of torture was so deeply rooted in the administration of justice in the olden time, that the humane ukase which abolished it, remained disregarded for a considerable time. The prisoner's confession was considered indispensable, to establish his conviction, which is not only a false idea, but one also literally opposed to common sense in a judicial point of view; for if denial on the part of the culprit is not admissible as proof of his innocence, still less should his confession be accepted as evidence of guilt. Even at the present time do I occasionally hear old judges regret the abolition of that barbarous custom. But in those days no one doubted the absolute necessity for it; neither the judges nor yet the accused themselves. The commandant's orders, therefore, did not astonish or disquiet any of us. Ivan Ignatitch went for the Bashkir, who was locked up in the store-room, and in a few moments the prisoner was brought into the hall. The commandant directed that he should be conducted to his presence.

The Bashkir had some difficulty in stepping over the threshold (his feet were in stocks), and taking off his cap, he stood at the door. Looking up at him, I started. Never shall I forget that man. He appeared to be over seventy. He had no nose nor ears. His head was shaven; a few gray hairs on his chin replaced a beard; he was