The tunnel was discovered. The prisoners were questioned. But Ivan refused to tell on Makar Semyonitch.

That night, when Ivan was lying on his bed and just beginning to doze, someone came quietly and sat down on his bed. He peered through the darkness and recognized Makar.

“What do you want of me?” asked Ivan. “Why have you come here?”

“Makar Semyonitch was silent. So Ivan sat up and said, “What do you want? Go away, or I will call the guard!”

Makar Semyonitch bent close over Ivan, and whispered, Ivan, forgive me!”

“What for?” asked Ivan.

“It was I who killed the merchant and hid the knife among your things. I meant to kill you too, but I heard a noise outside; so I hid the knife in your bag and escaped out the window.”

Ivan was silent, and did not know what to say. Makar Semyonitch slid off the bed and knelt upon the ground. “Ivan,” he said, “forgive me! For the love of God, forgive me! I will confess it was I who killed the merchant, and you will be released and you can go home.”

“It is easy for you to talk,” said Ivan, “but I have suffered for you these twenty-six years. Where could I go to now?…My wife is dead, and my children have forgotten me. I have no where to go…”

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A lifetime of unjust suffering from the lies of an evil man, how will it all end? Thursday’s post will reveal “The Law and Order twist!”

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Story adapted from “God Sees the Truth, But Waits” in Walk in the Light and Twenty-Three Tales by Leo Tolstoy