At last V. arrived. He was in good spirits, very cordial and friendly, talking of the fires past which he had come and of the common report that they were due to arson. Then he added, half in jest: “It’s Pugatchóv[[63]] over again. Just look out, or you and I will be caught by the rebels and impaled.”
[63]. The leader of a famous rebellion in Catherine’s reign. Many nobles were murdered with brutal cruelty.
“I am more afraid that the authorities will lay us by the heels,” I answered. “Do you know that Ogaryóv was arrested last night by the police?”
“The police! Good heavens!”
“That is why I came. Something must be done. You must go to the Governor and find out what the charge is; and you must ask leave for me to see him.”
No answer came, and I looked at V. I saw a face that might have belonged to his elder brother—the pleasant colour and features were changed; he groaned aloud and was obviously disturbed.
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
“You know I told you, I always told you, how it would end. Yes, yes, it was bound to happen. It’s likely enough they will shut me up too, though I am perfectly innocent. I know what the inside of a fortress is like, and it’s no joke, I can tell you.”
“Will you go to the Governor?”
“My dear fellow, what good would it do? Let me give you a piece of friendly advice: don’t say a word about Ogaryóv; keep as quiet as you can, or harm will come of it. You don’t know how dangerous affairs like this are. I frankly advise you to keep out of it. Make what stir you like, you will do Ogaryóv no good and you will get caught yourself. That is what autocracy means—Russian subjects have no rights and no means of defence, no advocates and no judges.”