"It can hardly be done," he said. "However, I will consult about it, and will wire you to-morrow." "I was told that there are many sick people in the hospital, and they need assistants." "Well, yes. But I will let you know, as I said." "Please do," said Nekhludoff. There was a burst of general and even natural laughter in the reception-room. "That is caused by Victor," said Maslenikoff, smiling. "He is remarkably witty when in high spirits." "Another thing," said Nekhludoff. "There are a hundred and thirty men languishing in prison for the only reason that their passports were not renewed in time. They have been in prison now for a month." And he related the causes that kept them there. "How did you come to know it?" asked Nekhludoff, and his face showed disquietude and displeasure. "I was visiting a prisoner, and these people surrounded me and asked----" "What prisoner were you visiting?" "The peasant who is innocently accused, and for whom I have obtained counsel. But that is not to the point. Is it possible that these innocent people are kept in prison only because they failed to renew their passports?" "That is the prosecutor's business," interrupted Maslenikoff, somewhat vexed. "Now, you say that trials must be speedy and just. It is the duty of the assistant prosecutor to visit the prisons and see that no one is innocently kept there. But these assistants do nothing but play cards." "So you can do nothing for them?" Nekhludoff asked gloomily, recalling the words of the lawyer, that the governor would shift the responsibility. "I will see to it. I will make inquiries immediately." "So much the worse for her. C'est un souffre-douleur," came from the reception-room, the voice of a woman apparently entirely indifferent to what she was saying. "So much the better; I will take this," from the other side was heard a man's playful voice, and the merry laughter of a woman who refused him something. "No, no, for no consideration," said a woman's voice. "Well, then, I will do everything," repeated Maslenikoff, extinguishing the cigarette with his white hand, on which was a turquoise ring. "Now, let us go to the ladies." "And yet another question," said Nekhludoff, without going into the reception-room, and stopping at the door. "I was told that some people in the prison were subjected to corporal punishment. Is it true?" Maslenikoff's face flushed. "Ah! you have reference to that affair? No, mon cher, you must positively not be admitted there--you want to know everything. Come, come; Annette is calling us," he said, seizing Nekhludoff's arm with the same excitement he evinced after the attention shown him by the important person, but this time alarming, and not joyful. Nekhludoff tore himself loose, and, without bowing or saying anything, gloomily passed through the reception-room, the parlor and by the lackeys, who sprang to their feet in the ante-chamber, to the street.