chin was
on a level with the merchant's head. Behind him stood the Deacon,
opening his small, swollen, red eyes.

"Let us be doing something, gentlemen," suggested the Doctor.
Martyanoff made an awful grimace, and suddenly sneezed on Petunikoff's
head. The latter gave a yell, sat down hurriedly, and then jumped
aside, almost knocking down the Inspector, into whose open arms he fell.

"Do you see," said the frightened merchant, pointing to Martyanoff, "do
you see what kind of men they are?"

Kuvalda burst out laughing. The Doctor and the Coroner smiled too, and
at the door of the dosshouse the group of figures was increasing ...
sleepy figures, with swollen faces, red, inflamed eyes, and dishevelled
hair, staring rudely at the Doctor, the Coroner, and the Inspector.

"Where are you going?" said the policeman on guard at the door,
catching hold of their tatters and pushing them aside. But he was one
against many, and, without taking any notice, they all entered and
stood there, reeking of vodki, silent and evil-looking.

Kuvalda glanced at them, then at the authorities, who were angry at the
intrusion of these ragamuffins, and said, smilingly, "Gentlemen,
perhaps you would like to make the acquaintance of my lodgers and
friends? Would you? But, whether you wish it or not, you will have to
make their acquaintance sooner or later in the course of your duties."

The Doctor smiled in an embarrassed way. The Coroner pressed his lips
together, and the Inspector saw that it was time to go. Therefore, he
shouted:

"Sideroff! Whistle! Tell them to bring a cart here."

"I will go," said Petunikoff, coming forward from a corner. "You had
better take it away to-day, sir, I want to pull down this hole. Go
away! or else I shall apply to the police!"

The policeman's whistle echoed through the courtyard. At the door of
the dosshouse its inhabitants stood in a group, yawning, and scratching
themselves.

"And so you do not wish to be introduced? That is rude of you!"
laughed Aristid Fomich.

Petunikoff took his purse from his pocket, took out two five-kopeck
pieces, put them at the feet of the dead man, and crossed himself.

"God have mercy ... on the burial of the sinful ..."

"What!" yelled the Captain, "you give for the burial? Take them away,
I say, you scoundrel! How dare you give your stolen kopecks for the
burial of an honest man? I will tear you limb from limb!"

"Your Honour!" cried the terrified