In the streets I ran against a guard at almost
every step. By half-past seven they were almost
empty; by eight there was only a belated person
here and there hurrying homeward.

Next morning I went again to the English
consul according to agreement. A French servant
received and announced me. The consul came
at once, and told me in the most amiable manner
that he had requested Mr. White, the vice-consul,
to take all necessary steps towards ascertaining
the present residence of my countrymen.

Having been courteously received by the
vice-consul, I went to the Senate-house. But,
before doing so, in order to guard against
treachery, I burned every paper which might in
the least degree have been evidence against me.
Witkowski was sitting in council, but he came
the moment he was informed that a gentleman
from the English consul wished to speak to
him. I was standing in a large hall, where at
least a hundred of the police and other servants
were curiously observing me. How easily might
some one among them recognise me!

There came up to me a little
sallow-complexioned man of about forty, with cold cruel
eyes, dressed in a general's uniform, scattered over
with every possible Russian star. It was
Witkowski. He took the letter from my hand, read it,
and desired me to call at his house next morning.

I passed the long line of police, and breathed
more freely in the open air. I next wrote a letter
to Mr. von Richenberg, the Prussian consul, who
replied that he would see me that same evening.
I went to him accordingly; two soldiers and one
of the police were walking backwards and
forwards before the house. Accompanied by the
policeman, I reached the door; a servant opened
it, inquired my name, and again shut it in my face.

Having obtained audience, as soon as I had
made the Prussian consul acquainted with the
object of my visit, he burst forth, into violent
accusations against Sweden: not so much from
his own standpoint as a Prussian, but as if he had
been a genuine Russian indignant at the
sympathy which the Swedes had expressed towards
the Poles. " This," he said, is a city of assassins;
there are none but rascals in this place.
The Russian government will, however, for the
future, pursue another course. It has hitherto
been too mild." Finally, as I was about leaving
his presence, he said, " I know everything
which passes in Warsaw, and I indeed pay for it."

I let him talk, and left him with the proud
conviction on his mind that he was right, and that
he did know everything. But all this did not
advance my business one step. He evidently would
not do anything for the poor Swedish youths. I
observed the disfavour with which he regarded
the subject, and finally discovered the cause.
He had in the morning met the English consul,
who confessed to him that he could do nothing
for me, and that he had referred me to him.

The following morning I presented myself at
the private dwelling of Witkowski. Two
Cossacks stood as guard in the vestibule, where
also were some unfortunates from the Zamoyski
house. After waiting a short time I was
conducted to the general. An official stood in the
middle of the room, with a report in his hand;
on the table lay a heap of papers and a cocked
pistol. The slim little man, after he had assured
me, with evident satisfaction, that he was president
of the city of Warsaw, and no longer the
head of the commission for the examination of
prisoners, desired me to go to General Trepow,
giving me at the same time one of his visiting
cards, which would secure me an audience.

Trepow was but lately come from St. Petersburg
to Warsaw, where he had previously held
the office of head of the police, with forty
thousand bayonets under his command.
Nevertheless, not feeling himself safe, he had desired to
be removed to Moscow. He it was who caused
the last firing upon the people in Warsaw; on
which occasion a Polish artisan, meeting the
head of the police on foot, gave him a sound box
on the ear. After this he was ill for some time,
and then requested his removal from Warsaw.

At the house of Trepow I found an
incomparably more numerous guard than at
Witkowski's. But who can describe my suppressed
amazement when I recognised in a policeman
who kept guard at Trepow's door, the very man
who had shortly before conveyed to me the
resolution of the National Government!

I was passed between a double row of officers,
every one of whom surveyed me with close
scrutiny, but my demeanour was unmoved.

"General Witkowski has spoken to me of
you; so has General Berg. He inquired who
the private person was who dared to come
hither to demand account from government."

By leading the conversation to the occurrences
of the day, I succeeded in pacifying him.

"I have long since," said he, "told the
emperor that things could not go on as they are;
but he is much too good." Then, after a little
pause, he continued: "I said to the emperor,
' Sire, if you will only allow me carte blanche,
I will soon establish quiet in Poland.' At
length the emperor conceded, but only to the
general wish. All this confusion, however,
might long since have been put an end to, if the
emperor were not so kind-hearted."

In this agreeable manner Trepow talked for
above an hour. I merely made now and then a
little demur, which encouraged him to fresh
outbursts. Finally, he drew up a little statement
of what I wanted. Thus:

"The undersigned Swedish citizen has of his
heart's desire alone come to Warsaw to inquire
after three of his fellow-countrymen who are
imprisoned in the citadel. Their names are
Jacobsson, Unman, and Eriksson. The
under-signed prays for the free release of these
prisoners. "N. N."

Trepow was satisfied with me. I am
convinced that I had been sent to him merely that
he might subject my person to strict examination.
I succeeded, however, in occupying his
attention and turning it from, myself. Thus it
was I who had his mightiness under espial. I
left him with a promise on his part to inform
me where my three fellow-countrymen were to