spicuous; and all of a sudden . . . my wife's brother . . . compromises himself . . . and me in this incredible manner! Eh! Mr. Paklin? You perhaps think that's of no great matter?'
'I don't think that, your Excellency.'
'You don't know for what precisely . . . and where exactly, he was arrested?'
'I heard it was in T——— district.'
'From whom did you hear that?'
'From . . . from a man.'
'Well, it would hardly be from a bird. But what man?'
'From . . . from an assistant of the director of the business of the governor's office.'
'What's his name?'
'The director?'
'No, the assistant.'
'His . . . his name is Ulyashevitch. He's a very good public servant, your Excellency. When I heard of that occurrence, I hurried at once to you.'
'To be sure, to be sure! And I repeat that I am very grateful to you. But what madness! Isn't it madness? eh? Mr. Paklin? eh?'
'Perfect madness!' cried Paklin, and the perspiration zigzagged in a hot rivulet down his back. 'It comes,' he went on, 'of not in the least understanding the Russian peasant. Mr. Markelov, so far as I know him, has a very
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