What the Czar Forgot

Although I had promised to see the emperor as soon as I arrived, I felt
that it was my first duty to interview Prince Michael, in the hope that
the events of the preceding day might be reviewed in a better spirit.
Accordingly, I proceeded at once to his apartments, after the captain
of the guard had assured me that his majesty was still sleeping, not
having retired until nearly daylight. When I rapped upon the door of
the room occupied by the prince, as a sleeping apartment, there was no
response, and I repeated the summons, more loudly than before. Still I
waited in vain, and at last, feeling some misgivings, and being assured
by the guard in the corridor that the prince had not left the room
since he had gone to it the preceding evening, I turned the handle and
entered.

I found him there. He was seated in a chair near one of the great
windows through which the lately risen sun was shining full upon him;
and the moment my eyes discovered him I started with horror, for I saw
that he was dead. Instantly I stepped back through the door, and told
the guard to call his captain, pointing out the lifeless form of the
prince, and ordering him to tell nobody but his superior officer of the
fact. Then I reëntered the room and approached the body of my former
friend. There was a pistol beside him on the floor where it had fallen
from his nerveless grasp after the fatal deed was performed, but he
reclined as easily in the chair as though he had dropped asleep
naturally, for a short nap instead of forever.