Deep was the astonishment of Kushlefka. This thing was a mystery. Could the bull be the spirit of the departed Vasilice? Some of the spectators spat on the ground, some crossed themselves; it depended upon how the thing suggested took them. But stay; the starost has an idea. Vasilice used to have a faint mark of an old brand, a mere scar on the off hindquarter. Ivan Ivanich entered the shed and made a close inspection of the animal. When he came out his face was grave; but his glance was serene and high, as of one who has triumphed over mysteries, and has discerned light through the darkness. "It is Vasilice," he said. "Where did you buy him, brother?" "At Drevnik, your mercifulness," replied the seller. "And from whom?" "From a stranger, a pastuch, who drove him, with a fine cow, into Drevnik--oh--a fortnight ago nearly; he said he had been commissioned to sell the pair by a moujik in Koltusha, which your mercifulness knows is twenty miles away, and that----" "Should you know the man again?" interrupted the starost. "Certainly, for we drank together for half an hour at the _kabak_, after the bargain for the bull and cow. A ragged pastuch--lantern-jawed, and red-hair--and with a scrag beard----" "Good," said the starost. "You shall have back the money you paid for Vasilice, and a three-rouble note for your trouble! Now leave him here and come back to-morrow with the cow. Brothers," he continued, "not a word to Radion about the bull Vasilice when he returns! I will settle with Radion to-morrow." Then the starost paid a long visit to Yegor, the _ochotnik_ (sportsman) of the village, and made certain arrangements. Yegor was a great hunter and had slain many bears and wolves, making a good living by the sale of their skins. * * * * *