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"Read," he said, and I read

My Friend,-In death, qualities of rank cease, hence I address you as I have

always felt towards you--as ht; he

told the truth, and I lied I am not now and have never been a

nihilist in spirit, but it is true that I am one in fact I joined

them in a moment of folly, to protect a friend whom I knew to be

one I have never alliedof theirs The friend for whose sake I joined has been

generous, and no deuilty Yet, believe me my friend, ith my last breath I

assure you that I have never harbored one disloyal thought towards

you or yours, and I should unhesitatingly have betrayed the

nihilists had I ever known of a single circuer under this disgrace, so I die I

beseech you let not the truth of ton, and I crave his pardon I loved him as a

brother, and as brothers quarrel at times, so did we He is

faithful; trust hiht; may He preserve

your life and your empire, and may He have mercy upon me

MICHAEL

Alexander was true to his friendship for Prince Michael He mourned him

sincerely, and nobody ever knew the true cause of the prince's death

The emperor respected that last wish of his dead friend There was yet

more mischief to be done, however, by that arch villain Durnief, for