He looked round, trembled, took off his cap and crossed himself. Then a pompous, wicked smile crossed his face, and, looking at the Captain, he inquired respectfully: "What has happened? Has there been a murder here?" "Yes, something of that sort," replied the Coroner. Petunikoff sighed deeply, crossed himself again, and spoke in an angry tone. "By God! It is just as I feared. It always ends in your having to come here... Ay, ay, ay! God save everyone. Times without number have I refused to lease this house to this man, and he has always won me over, and I was afraid. You know... They are such awful people ... better give it them, I thought, or else ..." He covered his face with his hands, tugged at his beard, and sighed again. "They are very dangerous men, and this man here is their leader ... the attaman of the robbers." "But we will make him smart!" promised the Inspector, looking at the Captain with revengeful eyes. "Yes, brother, we are old friends of yours ..." said Kuvalda in a familiar tone. "How many times have I paid you to be quiet?" "Gentlemen!" shouted the Inspector, "did you hear him? I want you to bear witness to this. Aha, I shall make short work of you, my friend, remember!" "Don't count your chickens before they are hatched ... my friend," said Aristid Fomich. The Doctor, a young man with eye-glasses, looked at him curiously, the Coroner with an attention that boded him no good, Petunikoff with triumph, while the Inspector could hardly restrain himself from throwing himself upon him. The dark figure of Martyanoff appeared at the door of the dosshouse. He entered quietly, and stood behind Petunikoff, so that his 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.