e
crockery and iron pots and pans were scattered all around. A little
to one side under some felt lay the remains of the four unfortunate
individuals. The Lieutenant first spoke:

"I reported the case to Uliassutai and received word back that the
relatives of the deceased would come with two officers, who would
investigate the affair. That is why I cannot bury the bodies."

"How did it happen?" we asked, oppressed by the sad picture.

"It was like this," he began. "I was approaching Tisingol at night with
my ten soldiers. Fearing that there might be Reds here, we sneaked up
to the station and looked into the windows. We saw Pouzikoff, Kanine
and the short-haired girl, looking over and dividing clothes and
other things and weighing lumps of silver. I did not at once grasp the
significance of all this; but, feeling the need for continued caution,
ordered one of my soldiers to climb the fence and open the gate. We
rushed into the court. The first to run from the house was Kanine's
wife, who threw up her hands and shrieked in fear: 'I knew that
misfortune would come of all this!' and then fainted. One of the men ran
out of a side door to a shed in the yard and there tried to get over the
fence. I had not noticed him but one of my soldiers caught him. We were
met at the door by Kanine, who was white and trembling. I realized
that something important had taken place, placed them all under arrest,
ordered the men tied and placed a close guard. All my questions were
met with silence save by Madame Kanine who cried: 'Pity, pity for the
children! They are innocent!' as she dropped on her knees and stretched
out her hands in supplication to us. The short-haired girl laughed out
of impudent eyes and blew a puff of smoke into my face. I was forced to
threaten them and said:

"'I know that you have committed some crime, but you do not want to
confess. If you do not, I shall shoot the men and take the women to
Uliassutai to try them there.'

"I spoke with definiteness of voice and intention, for they roused my
deepest anger. Quite to my surprise the short-haired girl first began to
speak.

"'I want to tell you about everything,' she said.

"I ordered ink, paper and pen brought me. My soldiers were the
witnesses. Then I prepared the protocol of the confession of Pouzikoff's
wife. This was her dark and bloody tale.

"'My husband and I are Bolshevik commissars and we have been sent to
find out how many White officers are hidden