God Sees the Truth, But Waits is a short story by the author.

Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov was a merchant in the town of Vladimir.He owned a house and two shops.

Aksionov was full of fun and fond of singing.He was given to drink when he was a young man, but after he married he stopped drinking.

As Aksionov bade farewell to his family, his wife said to him, "Ivan Dmitrich, do not start to-day; I have had a bad dream about you."

His wife said she didn't know what he was afraid of, but that he had a bad dream.I saw that your hair was grey when you took off your cap.

Aksionov chuckled.He said that it was a lucky sign.If I don't sell out all my goods, I'll give you some presents from the fair.

He met a merchant he knew and they stayed at the same inn.They had some tea and went to sleep.

It was not Aksionov's habit to sleep late, and he wanted to travel while it was still cool, so he told his driver to put the horses in.

He made his way to the landlord of the inn, who lived in a cottage at the back, and paid his bill.

He stopped for the horses to be fed.After resting for a while in the passage of the inn, Aksionov got out his guitar and began to play.

An official alighted, followed by two soldiers, after a troika drove up with tinkling bells.He came to Aksionov and asked who he was.Aksionov said that he would have some tea with him.The official went on questioning him.Where did you stay last night?Were you alone or with someone else?Did you see the other merchant this morning?Why did you leave before the sun came up?

Aksionov wondered why he was asked all these questions, but he described all the things that had happened.There is no need to question me because I am travelling on my own.

The official called the soldiers and said, "I am the police-officer of this district, and I question you because the merchant with whom you spent last night has been found with his throat cut."We need to search your things.

They entered the house.The police officer and soldiers searched Aksionov's luggage.The officer cried out, "Whose knife is this?", as he pulled a knife out of a bag.

Aksionov was unable to say a word, and only mumbled: "I don't know--not mine."The merchant was found with his throat cut this morning.You are the only one who could have done it.The house was locked from the outside.You have a blood-stained knife in your bag and you betrayed you!I want to know how you killed him and how much money you stole.

Aksionov said he did not do it, that he had no money, and that the knife was not his.His voice was broken, his face was pale, and he was afraid.

The police officer ordered the soldiers to bind Aksionov and put him in a cart.Aksionov cried as they tied his feet together and flung him into the cart.He was imprisoned in the nearest town after his money and goods were taken from him.Relating to his character were made in Vladimir.The merchants and other inhabitants of that town said that he was a good man, even though he used to drink and waste time.He was accused of murdering a merchant from Ryazan and robbing him of twenty thousand rubles.

His wife didn't know what to believe.One of her children was a baby.She went to the town where her husband was in jail.She was not allowed to see him until she got permission from the officials, and was taken to him.When she saw her husband locked up with thieves and criminals, she fell down and didn't realize it for a while.She sat near him after drawing her children to her.She asked what had happened to him, after she told him things at home.She asked, "What can we do now?" after he told her all.

His wife said it was not for nothing.You remember?You should not have started."Vanya dearest, tell your wife the truth; was it not you who did it?" she asked through his hair.

"So you, too, suspect me!"Aksionov hid his face in his hands and began to cry.Aksionov said good-bye to his family after a soldier told them to leave.

When they were gone, Aksionov recalled what had been said, and when he remembered that his wife had suspected him, he said to himself, "It seems that only God can know the truth; it is to Him alone we must appeal."

Aksionov was sent to the mines to be flogged.He was flogged with a knot, and when the wounds healed, he was taken to Siberia with other convicts.

Aksionov was a convict in Siberia for twenty-six years.His hair was white as snow, and his beard was thin and grey.He stooped, spoke little, and never laughed, but he often prayed.

Aksionov bought The Lives of the Saints after learning to make boots in prison.When there was light in the prison, he read the book when he could see it, and on Sundays he was able to listen to the choir.

The prison authorities liked Aksionov for his meekness, and his fellow-prisoners respected him.When they wanted to petition the prison authorities about anything, they always made Aksionov their spokesman, and when there were quarrels among the prisoners they came to him to judge the matter.

Aksionov didn't know if his wife and children were still alive because no news came from his home.

A group of convicts came to the prison.The old prisoners asked the new ones what towns and villages they came from and what they were sentenced for.Aksionov sat down near the newcomers and listened to what they had to say.

One of the new convicts, a tall, strong man of sixty, with a closely-cropped grey beard, was telling the others what they had been arrested for.

He said that he only took a horse that was tied to a sledge and was arrested for stealing.I said I only took it to get home quicker, and that the driver was a friend of mine.I said it was all right.They said that you stole it.They couldn't say where I stole it.I should have come here a long time ago, but I wasn't found out.I've been to Siberia before, but I didn't stay long.

Do you know anything about the merchants Aksionov of Vladimir?Are they still alive?

Do you know them?I do.The Aksionovs are rich, even though their father is in Siberia.How did you come here?

Aksionov didn't want to talk about his misfortune.He sighed and said, "For my sins, I have been in prison for twenty-six years."

Aksionov said, "Well, well--I must have deserved it!"His companions told the newcomers how Aksionov came to be in Siberia and how someone had killed a merchant and put a knife in his things.

He looked at Aksionov and exclaimed, "Well, this is wonderful!"Really great!How old are you, Gran'dad?

The others asked him where he had seen Aksionov before, but he didn't reply.He said it was wonderful that we should meet.

Aksionov wondered if this man knew who killed the merchant, or if he had seen him before.

How could I help hear?There are a lot of rumors in the world.I've forgotten what I heard, but it's a long time ago.

It must have been him in the bag that the knife was found in.If someone else hid the knife, he wouldn't be a thief until he's caught.How could anyone put a knife in your bag?It would have woken you up.

Aksionov knew this was the man who had killed the merchant.He went away after he rose.Aksionov slept all night.He had a lot of images in his mind.When he left his wife to go to the fair, there was an image of her.He saw her as if she were present and heard her laugh.He saw his children were quite small, one with a cloak on, the other at his mother's breast.He remembered that he used to be young and merry.He remembered how free from care he was when he sat on the porch of the inn playing the guitar.The place where he was flogged, the executioner, and the people standing around were all in his mind.He was ready to kill himself because of the thought of it all.

"And it's all the villain is doing!"Aksionov thought.He wanted vengeance even if he should die for it.He could not get peace after repeating prayers all night.He didn't look at him or go near him during the day.

A fortnight went by in this way.Aksionov was so miserable that he didn't know what to do.

One night, as he was walking around the prison, he noticed that something was rolling out from under one of the shelves.He stopped to see what it was.The man crept out from under the shelf and looked up at Aksionov.Makar told Aksionov that he had dug a hole under the wall, gotten rid of the earth by putting it into his high-boots, and emptied it out every day on the road when the prisoners were driven to him.

"Just keep quiet, old man, and you will get out as well."They will flog the life out of me, but I will kill you first.

Aksionov was angry as he looked at his opponent.He said, "You killed me long ago, and you have no need to kill me now!"I can either tell you or not, as God will direct.

The convoy soldiers noticed that one of the prisoners emptied some earth out of his boots after being led out to work.The tunnel was found after a search of the prison.The prisoners were questioned by the Governor to find out who dug the hole.They all denied knowing anything about it.The people who knew would not betray the man who was going to be flogged almost to death.The Governor turned to Aksionov and said that he was a just man.

He looked at the Governor and not so much at Aksionov.For a long time, Aksionov couldn't say a word.He wondered if he should screen him who ruined his life.Let him pay for what I have been through.If I tell, they will probably flog the life out of him.What good would it be to me?

Aksionov looked at the man and said he couldn't say anything.I should tell you that it is not God's will.I am your hands and do what you want with me.

Someone sat down on Aksionov's bed when he was lying on his bed.He peered through the darkness.

The man was silent.Aksionov asked, "What do you want?"I will call the guard if you go away.

I killed the merchant and hid the knife in your things.I hid the knife in your bag and escaped out of the window after I heard a noise outside.

Aksionov didn't know what to say.The man slid off the bed-shelf and knelt on the ground."Ivan Dmitrich, please give me!" he said.Please forgive me for the love of God.I will tell you that I killed the merchant and will let you go to your home.

Aksionov said that he had suffered for you for twenty-six years.Where should I go now?My wife is dead and my children don't remember me.I don't have a place to go.

The man did not rise, but hit his head on the floor."Ivan Dmitrich, forgive me!"He cried.It was not as hard to bear as it is to see you now, yet you had pity on me, and did not tell."For Christ's sake, forgive me, wretch that I am!"He began to cry.

Aksionov began to weep when he heard him cry."God will forgive you!"He said that.Maybe I'm a hundred times worse than you.The longing for home left him after he heard these words.He only wanted to be in the prison for his last hour.

In spite of what Aksionov had said, he confessed his guilt.Aksionov was already dead when the order for his release came.