‘Comrade Colonel,’ he said, ‘Russians don’t kick a man when he’s down.’ ‘What do you think I am then?’ asked the colonel. ‘Do you think I’m not a Russian?’ ‘You’re a scoundrel,’ said Darensky. He saw the colonel take a step towards him. Forestalling the man’s angry threats, he shouted: ‘My surname’s Darensky. Lieutenant-Colonel Darensky – inspector of the Operations Section of Stalingrad Front Headquarters. I’m ready to repeat what I said to you before the commander of the Front and before a military tribunal.’ In a voice full of hatred, the colonel said: ‘Very well, Lieutenant-Colonel
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