Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

INQUISITORIAL EXAMINATION.133

" How long do you think of remaining in Russia ?"

" I do not know."

" But, about how long?"

" A few months."

" Have you a public diplomatic mission ?

" No."

" A secret one ? "

" No."

" Any scientific object ? "

" No."

" Are you employed by your government to examine the social and political state of this country ? "

" No."

" By any commercial association ? "

" No."

" You travel, then, from mere curiosity ? "

" Yes."

" What was it that induced you, under this motive, to select Russia ? "

" I do not know," &c. &c. &c,

" Have you letters of introduction to any people of this country ? "

I had been forewarned of the inconvenience of replying too frankly to this question; I therefore spoke only of my banker.

At the termination of the session of this court of assize I encountered several of my accomplices. These strangers had been sadly perplexed, owing to some irregularities that had been discovered in their passports. The blood-hounds of the Russian police are quick-scented, and have a very different manner of treating different individuals. An Italian mer-

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