The Colonel hastened towards him, and embraced him nervously.
"There! Volodia has his New Year's gift! Let us hope that now he will let me sleep in peace."
"But ought not a report to be made?"
"Why?"
"And the papers dealing with the prisoner's case?"
"The papers? There are their ashes in the stove. I have burnt them. Poor wretch! He will have to hurry—he will have to hurry to find his family."
