"Help comes from God alone," he said, "but such measure of help as our Order can bestow it will render you, my dear sir.

You are going to Petersburg.

Hand this to Count Willarski" (he took out his notebook and wrote a few words on a large sheet of paper folded in four).

"Allow me to give you a piece of advice.

When you reach the capital, first of all devote some time to solitude and self-examination and do not resume your former way of life.