Willarski, stepping toward him, said something to him in French in an undertone and then went up to a small wardrobe in which Pierre noticed garments such as he had never seen before.

Having taken a kerchief from the cupboard, Willarski bound Pierre's eyes with it and tied it in a knot behind, catching some hairs painfully in the knot.

Then he drew his face down, kissed him, and taking him by the hand led him forward.

The hairs tied in the knot hurt Pierre and there were lines of pain on his face and a shamefaced smile.

His huge figure, with arms hanging down and with a puckered, though smiling face, moved after Willarski with uncertain, timid steps.