Ivan had already begun to recover himself a little.
"I'll tell you the truth, I will indeed, only let me go. It is true that I enticed a deserter hither, but it was not to conceal him."
"You did not bring him hither to conceal him, eh? You lie, you dog. Another falsehood, and I'll tie you to my horse's tail and drag you all the way to Dukla. What did you do with him?"
"I'll tell you everything, Mr. Sergeant, I am a man of my word. It is true that I enticed a young gentleman here, at one time I was his lackey. Later on we became soldiers together. I was subsequently discharged because I was growing blind. I am speaking the truth, I was blind then. The young man had confidence in me, and one day, when he saw me in the street at Dukla, he implored me to hide him."
"What were you doing in Galicia?"
"My master sent me to buy horses, but I could not get any fit for us. I am speaking the truth, I assure you I am."
"Do you know why that man deserted?"
"Yes, he shot his captain because of a woman."
"Did you hear the woman's name?"
"I heard it, but I have forgotten it."