by Walter Winch
them."
"No!" Alex barely recognized the sound of his own voice.
The expression on the other man's face relaxed slightly, but cold, gray eyes glared at Alex. "You're fortunate, Alex Kovalevsky. You could be in prison right now, being interrogated by the secret police. I don't think you'd like that. Tell me about your friends. You're not really part of this anarchist street rabble. You come from a good family. Just give me the names. Then you're free to leave. I just want their names."
"I, I'm not part of any, any revolutionary group. I only want to see justice in Russia. The country belongs to all the people, not just the Tsar and the aristocracy."
"You are not a radical?"
"I'm against injustice, only."
"Through peaceful methods then?"
"Of course."
"Do you love holy mother Russia?"
"Yes," Alex whispered.
"And our Tsar?"
"I want him to understand that—"
"Of course." Herzen stood up. His expression again changed, this time into a tired smile. "Alex, I've known your family for nearly twenty years. I'm sorry for this interrogation, but you must consider yourself fortunate. As part of the state security forces, I have my duty. There are some in my department who wanted you to be questioned at, our office. Not here in my house. Do you understand?"
"I only want our country to live up to its ideals."
"As we all do, Alex. But these are difficult times in Russia. Assassinations of public officials, the masses being manipulated by unscrupulous people who will stop at nothing to destroy our country, and everything we hold sacred—the Romanov dynasty itself.
"The Black Hundreds you accused me of belonging to is a reaction to all this anarchy," he continued. "The extreme reactionary forces will take matters in their own hands. I've told people in the security forces that you come from a good family, and are merely a young idealist. As all of us were at one time."
"I looked up to you when I was young, Nicholas."
"And now, Alex?"
"I'd like some wine." Alex got up and poured himself a glass from the decanter. "You were kind to my mother and I when father died."
"Your father helped me twenty years ago, when I was younger than you are now. So. You did not answer my question," Nicholas said.
"I still respect you," said Alex. "But I'm older."
"And you now disagree with my views?"
"Nicholas, Russia is a backward, autocratic society. Cruelty and injustice are the norms in this country. Change is needed."
"And I am part of this cruelty and injustice?"
"I didn't say that. But, you are part of the state apparatus. And, Nicholas, you are one of the persons who is responsible for the government's policy."
Nicholas nodded. "Yes. But consider this. Might not the 'injustice,' as you call it, be worse if people like me chose not to be in the government?"
"Are you saying that because you're with the secret police, they're not as bad as they could be?" Nicholas shrugged. "Nicholas, with due respect, perhaps you're rationalizing your participation."
"Of course that's possible. But would you at least consider the possibility?"
"Yes. And I do not consider you an evil man, Nicholas Herzen."
"Nor do I consider you a bomb thrower, young Alex Kovalevsky. Tell me, what sort of government would you choose for Russia?"
"Perhaps a constitutional monarchy."
"Like England?"
"Possibly."
"Our middle class is small, the majority of Russians are illiterate, and we have no democratic traditions in this country," said Nicholas.
"But change could be gradual. Not overnight."
"But isn't that what the Tsar proposed last year with his October Manifesto—guaranteeing various rights?"
"But in May of this year he tried to retract some of the conditions he expressed in that document."
"But those were guidelines, Alex. Now, all concerned parties have to come up with the specifics, which can actually govern Russia by."
"You have answers for everything."
"Hardly. But before you run to the barricades, consider what I am saying."
"You were very convincing a minute ago," Alex said.
"Just a glimpse of what an interrogation could really be like. Since the beginning of this century the word 'revolution' has sounded like magic to many Russians, who should know better. Their enchantment with the word can only lead to misery beyond imagination."
"Then peaceful change must occur, Nicholas. Now."
Nicholas smiled. "It's right for your generation to seek a better future. But peacefully young man."
"Yes, Count Nicholas Herzen."
Nicholas laughed. "Nicholas will do."
Alex smiled. "Thank you, Nicholas."
"You will still have to appear at police headquarters."
"I must sign the statement?"
"You must."
"That I'm not a member of any subversive, anti-government organization?"
"A formality, but it's necessary."
"Then I will," Alex said.
"I'll meet you there at 9 o'clock. Now leave me. I have a meeting in one hour. Give my regards to your mother."
Alex started to leave but turned and extended his hand. "Thank you."
Nicholas grasped Alex' hand firmly. "Russia needs young men like you. Your father would have been proud of you."