But the sentry outside and some of the clerks yet at work had heard the alarm; assistance already was pressing in at the door.
"Bind him!" cried the governor. And, nothing loth, the men clutched the prisoner.
But Starkowski interfered. "Stop!" he said. "You are five against one, and you see he offers no resistance." He walked up to Taras and looked him in the face. "You have not come with any evil intention?"
"No, sir."
Starkowski seemed quite satisfied; turning to the governor, "Leave your men in the room," he said, "but there is no need to bind him, I'll go bail."
But the poor governor was not so easily quieted, and his voice positively shook when he addressed the man of whom all the district had stood in mortal fear these months past. "Step closer," he said, "we are ready to hear you."
And Taras came nearer, looking pale and wan, a stricken figure, resting his worn frame against the table. "I have come to give myself up," he said, "and I pray to be dealt with according to my deserts."
"And where are your people?"
"I have disbanded them; there is no fear of their committing further violence."
"Where are they?"