police, and I have made the acquaintance of Collegiate Councillor Pavel Ivanovitch Tchitchikoff—a very agreeable man he is too.” Whereupon his spouse replied “H’m!” and gave him a push with her foot.

Such was the very flattering opinion which was formed of Tchitchikoff in the town; and it was maintained until he adopted a very singular course of conduct which threw the entire locality into a state of amazement.