Desc: The Dead Man Who Killed: Viera waits, as is her custom every morning, at the gate of her home to greet her lover, Boris, on his way to the university. As they are speaking to each other a dashing officer. Lieutenant Gobrinoff, passes by on horseback. Gobrinoff greets Viera most courteously, but eyes her companion disdainfully. Boris much hurt by this treatment withdraws immediately. Viera is furious with the lieutenant, but conceals her wrath, knowing that he would seize every available chance of making love to her if she were to show signs of discontent. Later, at her birthday party, she repulses Gobrinoff and seeks Boris' company in preference. Gobrinoff resents this and vows vengeance on Boris. When departing for military service, Viera presents Boris with her picture. The soldiers are marching toward Karabutak, the new garrison. In the yard of the fortification the troops are presented to the commanding officer, who afterward inspects them in company with his adjutant-lieutenant, Gobrinoff. The lieutenant is to select a personal attendant, and in passing judgment discovers Boris and is greatly surprised. Seeing a chance to revenge himself on one who had been preferred to him, he chooses Boris. The young soldier is obliged to wait upon the lieutenant, who seizes every opportunity of tormenting him. A sabre drill is called among the soldiers. Gobrinoff, who is an inspecting officer, takes up his position as Boris' combatant. Boris is rather unskilled in fencing and almost succumbs to the dexterity of his opponent a number of times. At last he becomes utterly exhausted, and throwing down his mask and sword, leaves the grounds. Boris unheeds the commands of the adjutant-lieutenant to resume sabre practice and keeps on going. Gobrinoff has him arrested and a court-martial sentences him to three days of imprisonment. He is chained by the knees, thus forcing him to be in an erect position during his incarceration period. At the expiration of his term he is found to be in an unconscious condition, but is soon revived by two sub-lieutenants, who lead him out of prison. One day the commandant of the fortification receives instructions to dispatch an order to the Kaschgar-Post. Lieutenant Gobrinoff is assigned to the task and is ordered to take his attendant with him and food supplies for six days. Boris is commanded to prepare for the trip, but before departing he manages to send a farewell letter to his beloved. On the eve of departure, Gobrinoff is advised by his comrades to select some other than Boris, on the theory that he might attack him. The lieutenant shows them his sword and pistol and assures them he can well take care of himself. Soon the two are on their way riding through the Kaschgar desert. On the evening of the third day after Boris had set up the tent, Gobrinoff bids him retire. The latter, uneasy of the thoughts of the young soldier, chains his pistol to his wrist before retiring. The officer thinks right, for soon Boris is seen cautiously making his way to the now fast asleep lieutenant. Reaching the commander's pistol, he manages to get hold of the case with the charge. Taking the compass, field glasses and a map, as well as the officer's food and supplies, he makes a bonfire of them. He cuts open the water bags, and rides away, leaving the adjutant-lieutenant with no hope of salvation. Morning arrived, the lieutenant discovers and understands the situation. Fortunately he still has his pistol and handcuffs and quickly mounting his horse chases along, the vast desert in the footprints of Boris' horse. From a distance Boris sights Gobrinoff approaching. He pulls himself together and jumping off the horse, takes off the saddle and bags and throws away his gun. Boris' horse, failing in strength, soon dies. The soldier, seeing his enemy nearing, takes to his heals. Gobrinoff's horse becomes fatigued from the strain, and he is compelled to dismount. The men come nearer and nearer to each other. At length they are within pistol range. The pistol snaps. Gobrinoff throws it away and goes for his adversary with all his might. A fierce struggle ensues between the two men. Gobrinoff manages to get hold of the handcuffs and puts one around Boris' wrist. Boris gives a jerk, and endeavors to re-commence the fight with Gobrinoff and is successful in putting the other handcuff around the hand of the officer. He now feels utterly exhausted and knows that the same fate awaits both of them. From sheer exhaustion he dies. Gobrinoff suddenly spies a photograph of Viera lying on Boris' chest. Terror and fright seize him at the thought of the unspeakable loneliness and desolation surrounding him on all sides. He holds the photograph up in the air over his head and falls down slowly on the dead body of Boris.