Four more paces, and Ivan was close to the Emperor's writing-table.
"You are Corporal Ivan?"
"Yes, sire."
"You commanded the escort of the sixth division?"
"Yes, sire."
"You had orders to allow the prisoners to communicate with no one?"
This time the corporal's tongue seemed embarrassed by something, and his affirmative was uttered in a less steady tone than the preceding ones.
"Count Alexis W—— was one of the prisoners in your division, and in spite of your orders you allowed him to have two interviews with his mother and sisters. You knew the punishment you exposed yourself to by so doing?"
Ivan grew very pale, and was forced to support himself against the table.
"Pardon, sire!" gasped he.