ey, and only wanted to keep the cloak; but they refused to give it
him. Now, who do you say should have the cloak?"

The Archimandrite imagining that it was his chamberlain who was speaking
to him, cried:

"Oh, how tiresome you are! People are sure to dream at night. Pray
don't trouble my rest."

Tim was silent for a time, but no sooner had the Archimandrite fallen
asleep again, than he again awoke him, crying:

"Whom is the cloak to be given to?"

"Oh, you tiresome fellow!" cried the Archimandrite. "Well, if you must
know, I would have it given to him who broke in. But, pray, let me
sleep."

Tim troubled him no more, and as soon as he was fast asleep got out of
the window and took possession of the cloak without any opposition from
his teachers, who extolled his cleverness to the skies. They set out for
home, and the first thing they did when they arrived was to hide their
booty. After this adventure, Tim's masters frequently discoursed with
each other about their apprentice. His address and cleverness pleased
them exceedingly. They hoped that he would be of the greatest assistance
to them, and in order to keep him with them, they determined to give him
their sister, who was rather a pretty girl. When they declared their
mind to Tim, he was far from refusing so good a match, for they offered
plenty of money with her. So he married, and ceasing to be their
apprentice, became their brother-in-law and comrade.

After some time his wife said to him:

"It is bad living with these brothers of mine who are thieves to the very
bone. Moreover, you know the rhyme, 'Though the thief may thrive for
many a day, he becomes at last the hangman's prey.' So it is my wish and
counsel that we separate from them at once and for ever, and go and live
at your father's house, where, though we may not be so rich, we shall at
any rate be in peace."

Tim approved of what she said, and communicated his intention to those
honest gentlemen--his brothers-in-law. They were very much mortified at
what he told them, and endeavoured to persuade him to stay with them, but
in vain. At last they said:

"We will let you go on the following conditions: we will give you a
swine, and if to-night we contrive to steal it from you, you shall pay us
two hundred roubles, or remain in our service till you have gained for us
that amount, and if we are unable to steal the swine, we will pay the
same sum to you."

"Very good," said Tim, "I