но начальники каторги так и не были

но начальники каторги так и не были уверены, кто же все-таки отбывал срок: сама Золотая Ручка или подставное лицо.

Results (English) 1:

but the chiefs of the hulks were never sure who is still serving his term: the gold pen or shill.

Results (English) 2:

but the heads of hard labor and were not sure who is still serving a sentence: Golden Pen herself or shill.

Results (English) 3:

but the hard labor and were not sure who is still serving a sentence: the gold pen or a straw man.