The investigation showed that two shots had been fired from a revolver, and two bullets were found imbedded in the wall.

All those who had been present, and some who knew nothing of the incident except by hearsay, were duly examined.

Our opponents always assumed that my friend had been the assailant, in spite of his protestations to the contrary, and more than once the words pokyshenie na ubiistvo (attempt to murder) were pronounced.

Things looked very black indeed.

We had the prospect of being detained for days and weeks in the miserable place, till the insatiable demon of official formality had been propitiated.