Olenin became still happier.

At one of the post-stations the post-master told of a terrible murder that had been committed recently on the high road.

They began to meet armed men.

"So this is where it begins!" thought Olenin, and kept expecting to see the snowy mountains of which mention was so often made.

Once, towards evening, the Nogay driver pointed with his whip to the mountains shrouded in clouds.