preparation of the abstract report was entrusted came near losing his mind. It was absolutely impossible by any means whatever to grasp the thread of the imbroglio. The prince moreover was at that time troubled about a multitude of other matters, each more annoying than the other. Famine had made its appearance in one quarter of the government. The officials who had been sent there to distribute bread had not taken the proper measures. In another quarter of the government, the Raskolniki⁵ had been making a stir. Someone had circulated among them a report that Antichrist had been born, and that he gave the dead no peace, for he had been collecting their souls. The Raskolniki then howled and made accusations; and under the pretext of catching Antichrist, they slew peaceable folks.

In another locality, the peasants had revolted against the proprietors and the members of the rural police. Some vagabonds had circulated a rumour among them to the effect that the time was approaching when the peasants were to become landowners themselves, and array themselves in swallow-tailed coats, while the gentry would be clothed in blouses and become peasants; and without reflecting on the fact that in that case there would be far too many landowners, the entire district refused to pay any taxes whatever to the rural police. It became necessary to resort to forcible measures. The poor prince was in the most distracted state of mind conceivable. It was at such a time as this that he was visited by Murazoff, the farmer of the brandy revenues. “Let him enter,” said the prince. Thereupon the old man made his appearance.

“See what your Tchitchikoff has come to,” said the prince. “You stood up for him, and defended him. Now he has involved himself in a transaction such as the vilest of thieves would not have dabbled in.”

“Permit me to observe to your excellency that I do not understand this matter very well.”

“He has forged a will, and has done other things besides. He deserves public chastisement with the whip for such misdeeds.”

“Your excellency—I do not say this with the object of defending Tchitchikoff—but surely all this has not been proved as yet. No investigation has yet been made.”

“There are proofs. The woman who was dressed up to represent the dead woman has been arrested. I intend to interrogate her expressly in your presence.”

The prince then rang, and gave orders that the woman in question should be summoned. Murazoff held his peace.

“It is a most disgraceful affair,” resumed his excellency, “and to their shame be it said, the most prominent officials in the city are mixed up in it, even the civil governor himself. He ought not to be where thieves and rascals congregate,” said the prince wrathfully.

“Why, the civil governor is the heir⁶ to the deceased’s property; he has a right to be connected with the matter; but it is only natural, your excellency, that others should have interfered on all sides. A rich woman has died; she has not made a just and reasonable disposition of her property; persons desirous of enriching themselves have flown here from all quarters—that is all human nature.”

“But why commit villainies? The scamps!” said the prince with a feeling of indignation. “I have not a single honourable official about me: they are all rogues!”

“Well, your excellency, which of us is as good as he ought to be? All the officials of our city are—men; but they have their merits, and many of them are extremely well informed as to their business. On the other hand, everyone is liable to sin.”

“Listen, Afanasiy Vasilievitch; tell me—you are the only honest man whom I know—why have you such a passion for defending every sort of rascal?”