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The Warden, who was thoroughly familiar with the story of the

Horeszkos, straightened out in his mind the whole tale, though it

was sadly tangled, and could fill up the gaps in it; but the

Judge entirely failed to understand many points. Both listened

attentively, bending their heads forward; but Jacek spoke more

and more slowly, and often interrupted himself.

* * * * * * * *

"You already know, my dear Gerwazy, how often the Pantler used to

invite me to banquets; he would propose my health, and many a

time he cried, raising his beaker aloft, that he had no better

friend than Jacek Soplica. How he would embrace me! All who saw

it thought that he shared his very soul with me. He a friend? He

knew what then was passing within my soul!

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