“Smirnòv,” I said, “bring me a hammer and a nail.”
“What do you want them for?”
“You shall see directly.”
He did as I told him; I stepped on to the iron landing, and in his presence broke the rivets of my fetters.
“What are you doing?” cried Smirnòv. “I shall have to pay for that!”
“Not a bit. Go at once and tell the governor I have broken my fetters.”
“But I can’t go and denounce you!”
“Don’t be silly,” said I; “do as I say.”
He went, protesting and shaking his head, and soon after called me to go before the governor. I fastened up my chains with twine in place of the rivets, and followed him.
“What’s all this?” cried the old man in great excitement. “You’ve broken your fetters? You are trying to make your escape?”