“Peasants, indeed! Worthless scamps!”

“These Siberians are as bad as bad can be. They think nothing of killing a man.”

“Oh, well, our fellows——”

“Yes, that’s it, they may come off second best. Our fellows are as plucky as plucky can be.”

“Well, if we live long enough, we shall hear something about them soon.”

“Well, now, what do you think? Do you think they really will get clean away?”

“I am sure, as I live, that they’ll never be caught,” said one of the most excited, giving the table a great blow with his fist.

“Hm! That’s as things turn out.”

“I’ll tell you what, friends,” said Skouratof, “if I once got out, I’d stake my life they’d never get me again.”

You?