1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:07,480 The Safety Match by Anton Tchehov, Part one. On the morning of October 2 00:00:07,519 --> 00:00:11,759 sixth, eighteen eighty five, in the office of Inspector of Police of the 3 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:18,079 second Division of s District, there appeared a respectably dressed young man who announced 4 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:24,120 that his master, Marcus Ivanovitch Klausov, a retired officer of the horse Guards, 5 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:29,960 separated from his wife, had been murdered. While making this announcement, 6 00:00:30,359 --> 00:00:35,759 the young man was white and terribly agitated. His hands trembled and his eyes 7 00:00:35,799 --> 00:00:41,280 were full of terror. Whom have I the honor of addressing, asked the 8 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:51,320 Inspector Psaikov, Lieutenant Klausov's agent, agriculturist and mechanician. The inspector and his 9 00:00:51,439 --> 00:00:56,359 deputy, on visiting the scene of the occurrence in company with Psaikov, found 10 00:00:56,399 --> 00:01:00,840 the following. Near the wing in which Klausov had lived, was gathered a 11 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:04,200 dense crowd. The news of the murder had sped swift as lightnings for the 12 00:01:04,239 --> 00:01:08,319 neighborhood and the peasantry, thanks to the fact that the day was a holiday, 13 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:15,120 had hurried together from all the neighboring villages. There was much commotion and 14 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:22,000 talk here and there. Pale tear stained faces were seen. The door of 15 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:27,920 Klasov's bedroom was found locked. The key was inside. It is quite clear 16 00:01:27,920 --> 00:01:33,760 that the scoundrels got in by the window, said Psaikoff. As they examined 17 00:01:33,799 --> 00:01:38,480 the door. They went to the garden into which the bedroom window opened. 18 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:42,519 The window looked dark and ominous. It was covered by a faded green curtain. 19 00:01:44,359 --> 00:01:48,359 One corner of the curtain was slightly turned up, which made it possible 20 00:01:48,359 --> 00:01:53,000 to look into the bedroom. Did any of you look into the window, 21 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:59,159 asked the inspector. Certainly not, your worship, answered Ephraim. The gardener, 22 00:01:59,599 --> 00:02:02,599 a little, gray haired old man who looked like a retired sergeant. 23 00:02:04,959 --> 00:02:10,599 Who's going to look in if all their bones are shaking? Ah, markus 24 00:02:10,599 --> 00:02:16,280 Ivanovitch. Markus Ivanovitch sighed the inspector, looking at the window. I told 25 00:02:16,319 --> 00:02:20,560 you you would come to a bad end, I told the dear man, 26 00:02:20,599 --> 00:02:27,759 but he wouldn't listen. Dissipation doesn't bring any good. Thanks to Ephraim, 27 00:02:28,039 --> 00:02:31,599 said Psikov. But for him we would never have guessed. He was the 28 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:36,080 first to guess that something was wrong. He comes to me this morning and 29 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:38,719 says, why is the master so long? Getting up? He hasn't left 30 00:02:38,719 --> 00:02:44,039 his bedroom for a whole week. The moment he said that, it was 31 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:46,800 just as if some one had hit me with an axe, the thought flashed 32 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:51,520 through my mind. We haven't had a sight of him since last Saturday, 33 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:55,120 and to day is Sunday, seven whole days. Not a doubt of it. 34 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:01,639 Ay, poor fellow, again, sighed the Inspector. He was a 35 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:07,319 clever fellow, finely educated and kind hearted to that, and in society nobody 36 00:03:07,319 --> 00:03:12,199 could touch him. But he was a oyster. God rest his soul. 37 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:17,479 I was prepared for anything since he refused to live with Olga Petrovna, poor 38 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:23,000 thing, a good wife, but a sharp tongue. Stephen, the Inspector 39 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:28,840 called to one of his deputies, go over to my house this minute, 40 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,520 and send Andrew to the captain to lodge an information with him. Tell him 41 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:38,840 that Markus Ivanovitch has been murdered and run over to the orderly. Why should 42 00:03:38,879 --> 00:03:43,240 he sit there kicking his heels. Let him come here and go as fast 43 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:47,479 as you can to the examining magistrate Nikolas Yamulayevitch. Tell him to come over 44 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:53,599 here. Wait, I'll write him a note. The Inspector posted sentinels around 45 00:03:53,599 --> 00:03:58,159 the wing, wrote a letter to the examining magistrate, and then went over 46 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:01,120 to the director's for a glass of tea. Ten minutes later, he was 47 00:04:01,159 --> 00:04:05,719 sitting on a stool, carefully nibbling a lump of sugar and swallowing the scalding 48 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:11,919 tea. There you are, he was saying to Psikov. There you are, 49 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:15,800 a noble by birth, a rich man, a favorite of the gods. 50 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:18,360 You may say, as Pushkin has it. And what did he come 51 00:04:18,439 --> 00:04:24,079 to? He drank and dissipated, And there you are. He is murdered. 52 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:31,360 After a couple of hours, the examining magistrate drove up Nicholas Yemulayevitch Chubikov, 53 00:04:31,959 --> 00:04:35,480 for that was the magistrate's name, was a tall, fleshy old man 54 00:04:35,519 --> 00:04:40,079 of sixty who had been wrestling with the duties of his office for a quarter 55 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:44,120 of a century. Every one in the district knew him as an honest man, 56 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:47,519 wise, energetic, and in love with his work. He was accompanied 57 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:51,759 to the scene of the murder by his inveterate companion, fellow worker and secretary 58 00:04:53,319 --> 00:04:59,279 Dukovsky, a tall young fellow of twenty six. Is it possible, gentlemen, 59 00:05:00,519 --> 00:05:04,439 cried Chubikov, entering Psakov's room and quickly shaking hands with every one. 60 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:11,759 Is it possible, marko Ivanovitch murdered, No, it is impossible, im 61 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:17,879 pass sobul go in there, sighed the inspector. Lord, have mercy on 62 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:23,279 us. Only last Friday I saw him at the fair and Farobankov I had 63 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:29,160 a drink of vodka with him. Save the mark, Go in there, 64 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:34,480 again, sighed the inspector. They sighed, uttered exclamations of horror, drank 65 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:40,959 a glass of tea each and went to the wing. Get back, the 66 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:46,240 orderly, cried to the peasants. Going to the wing, the examining magistrate 67 00:05:46,319 --> 00:05:49,480 began his work by examining the bedroom door. The door proved to be of 68 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:55,040 pine, painted yellow, and was uninjured. Nothing was found which could serve 69 00:05:55,079 --> 00:05:59,800 as a clew. They had to break in the door. Every One not 70 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:03,240 here on business as requested to keep away, said the magistrate, When after 71 00:06:03,319 --> 00:06:09,120 much hammering and shaking, the door yielded to axe and chisel, I request 72 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:12,920 this in the interest of the investigation. Orderly, don't let any one in. 73 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:18,160 Chrubykov, his assistant and the inspector opened the door, and hesitatingly, 74 00:06:18,319 --> 00:06:23,800 one after the other entered the room, their eyes met the following sight. 75 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:29,240 Beside the single window stood the big wooden bed with a huge feather mattress. 76 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:34,079 On the crumpled feather bed lay a tumbled, crumpled quilt. The pillow in 77 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:39,319 a cotton pillow case, also much crumpled, was dragging on the floor. 78 00:06:40,319 --> 00:06:44,240 On the table beside the bed lay a silver watch and a silver twenty copeck 79 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:48,920 piece. Beside them lay himself a mattress. Beside the bed, the little 80 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:54,399 table and the single chair. There was no furniture in the room. Looking 81 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:58,079 under the bed, the inspector saw a couple of dozen empty bottles, an 82 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:02,399 old straw hat, and a quart of vodka. Under the table lay one 83 00:07:02,439 --> 00:07:08,439 top boot covered with dust. Casting a glance around the room, the magistrate 84 00:07:08,519 --> 00:07:14,199 frowned and grew red in the face. Scoundrels, he muttered, clenching his 85 00:07:14,279 --> 00:07:20,639 fists. And where is markus Ivanovitch asked Dukovsky in a low voice. Mind 86 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:26,519 your own business, Chubikov answered roughly, be good enough to examine the floor. 87 00:07:27,079 --> 00:07:29,439 This is not the first case of the kind I have had to deal 88 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:33,600 with, yugov Kuzmitch, he said, turning to the inspector and lowering his 89 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:38,920 voice. In eighteen seventy, I had another case like this, but you 90 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:43,480 must remember it, the murder of the merchant Putrietov. It was just the 91 00:07:43,519 --> 00:07:46,800 same there. The scoundrels murdered him and dragged the corpse out through the window. 92 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:51,199 Chubikov went up to the window, pulled the curtain to one side, 93 00:07:51,519 --> 00:07:57,639 and carefully pushed the window. The window opened. It opens. You see 94 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:01,279 it wasn't fastened. Mum. There are tracks under the window. Look, 95 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:05,759 there is the track of a knee. Somebody got in there. We must 96 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:11,439 examine the windows thoroughly. There is nothing special to be found on the floor, 97 00:08:11,759 --> 00:08:16,240 said Dukovsky. No stains, are scratches. The only thing I found 98 00:08:16,279 --> 00:08:20,639 was a struck safety match here. It is so far as I remember. 99 00:08:20,839 --> 00:08:26,759 Marko Ivanovitch did not smoke, and he always used sulfur matches, never safety 100 00:08:26,759 --> 00:08:31,519 matches. Perhaps this safety match may serve as a clue. Oh do shut 101 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:37,320 up, cried the magistrate deprecatingly. You go on about your match. I 102 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:41,559 can't buy these dreamers. Instead of chasing matches, you had better examine the 103 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:48,519 bed. After a thorough examination of the bed, Dukovsky reported there are no 104 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:52,679 spots either of blood or of anything else. There are likewise no new torn 105 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:58,039 places on the pillar. There are signs of teeth. The quilt is stained 106 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:03,759 with something which looked like beer and smells like beer. The general aspect of 107 00:09:03,799 --> 00:09:07,480 the bed gives grounds for thinking that a struggle took place on it. I 108 00:09:07,639 --> 00:09:11,759 know there was a struggle without your telling me. You are not being asked 109 00:09:11,759 --> 00:09:16,120 about his struggle. Instead of looking for struggles, you had better. Here 110 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:20,120 is one top boot, but there is no sign of the other. Well, 111 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:24,759 and what of that? It proves that they strangled him while he was 112 00:09:24,799 --> 00:09:28,519 taking his boots off. He hadn't time to take the second boot off. 113 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:33,399 When there you go, And how do you know they strangled him? There 114 00:09:33,399 --> 00:09:37,720 are marks of teeth on the pillow. The pillow itself is badly crumpled and 115 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:43,480 thrown a couple of yards from the bed. Listen to his foolishness. Better 116 00:09:43,519 --> 00:09:48,759 come into the garden. You would be better employed examining the garden than digging 117 00:09:48,759 --> 00:09:52,840 around here. I can do that without you. When they reached the garden, 118 00:09:52,919 --> 00:09:56,799 they began by examining the grass. The grass under the window was crushed 119 00:09:56,799 --> 00:10:01,360 and trampled, A bushy bird growing under the window close to the wall was 120 00:10:01,399 --> 00:10:07,600 also trampled. Dukovsky succeeded in finding on it some broken twigs and a piece 121 00:10:07,639 --> 00:10:11,559 of cotton wool. On the upper branches were found some fine hairs of dark 122 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:18,240 blue wool. What color was his last suit, Dukovsky asked, Psaikov, 123 00:10:18,399 --> 00:10:24,759 yellow crash. Excellent, you see they wore blue. A few twigs of 124 00:10:24,799 --> 00:10:30,720 the burdock were cut off and carefully wrapped in paper by the investigators. At 125 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:35,799 this point, please, Captain Atsuybashev, Svistakovski and doctor Tyutyev arrived. The 126 00:10:35,879 --> 00:10:41,399 captain bade them good day and immediately began to satisfy his curiosity. The doctor, 127 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:46,039 a tall, very lean man with dull eyes, a long nose and 128 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:50,879 a pointed chin, without greeting anyone or asking about anything, sat down on 129 00:10:50,919 --> 00:10:54,840 a log, sighed and began the servians are at war again. What in 130 00:10:54,879 --> 00:11:01,720 Heaven's name can they want now, Austria, it's all you're doing. The 131 00:11:01,759 --> 00:11:05,799 examination of the window from the outside did not supply any conclusive data. The 132 00:11:05,879 --> 00:11:09,799 examination of the grass and the bush's nearest to the window yielded a series of 133 00:11:09,879 --> 00:11:15,919 useful clues. For example, Dukovski succeeded in discovering a long, dark streak 134 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:20,320 made up of spots on the grass, which led some distance into the center 135 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:24,559 of the garden. The streak ended under one of the lilac bushes in a 136 00:11:24,639 --> 00:11:30,039 dark browzed stain. Under this same lilac bush was found the top boot, 137 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:33,399 which turned out to be the fellow of the boot already found in the bedroom. 138 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:39,519 That is a blood stain made some time ago, said Dukovski, examining 139 00:11:39,519 --> 00:11:43,440 the spot. At the word blood, the doctor rose and going over lazily 140 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:48,720 looked at the spot. Yes, it is blood, he muttered. That 141 00:11:48,879 --> 00:11:54,279 shows he wasn't strangled. If there was blood, said Chubikov, looking sarcastically 142 00:11:54,320 --> 00:12:00,000 at Dukovsky. They strangled him in the bedroom, and here, fearing him 143 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,279 come round again, they struck him a blow with some sharp pointed instrument. 144 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:07,960 The stain under the bush proves that he lay there a considerable time while they 145 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:13,039 were looking about for some way of carrying him out of the garden. Well, 146 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:16,759 and how about the boot. The boot confirms completely my idea that they 147 00:12:16,879 --> 00:12:20,840 murdered him while he was taking his boots off before going to bed. He 148 00:12:20,919 --> 00:12:24,919 had already taken off one boot and the other this one here he had only 149 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:30,399 had time to take half off. The half off boot came off of itself 150 00:12:30,799 --> 00:12:35,480 while the body was dragged over and fell. There's a lively imagination for you, 151 00:12:35,279 --> 00:12:39,440 laughed Chubekov. He goes on and on like that. When will you 152 00:12:39,519 --> 00:12:43,960 learn enough to drop your deductions? Instead of arguing and deducing, it would 153 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,720 be much better if you took some of the blood stained grass for analysis. 154 00:12:50,279 --> 00:12:54,080 When they had finished their examination and drawn a plan of the locality, the 155 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:58,960 investigators went to the director's office to write their report and have breakfast. While 156 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:03,440 they were breakfasting, there went on talking the watch, the money, and 157 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:07,960 so on, all untouched. Tchubykov began leading off the talk show. As 158 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:11,519 clearly as two and two are four that the murder was not committed for the 159 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:18,039 purpose of robbery. The murder was committed by an educated man, insisted Dukovsky. 160 00:13:18,879 --> 00:13:24,039 What evidence have you of that the safety match proves that to me? 161 00:13:24,399 --> 00:13:28,679 For the peasants hereabouts are not yet acquainted with safety matches. Only the landowners 162 00:13:28,759 --> 00:13:33,000 use them, and by no means all of them. And it is evident 163 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:35,840 that there was not one murderer, but at least three, two held him 164 00:13:37,039 --> 00:13:41,480 while one killed him. Klasov was strong, and the murderers must have known 165 00:13:41,519 --> 00:13:46,720 it. What good would his strength be Supposing he was asleep? The murderers 166 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:50,279 came on him while he was taking off his boots. If he was taking 167 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:56,600 off his boots, that proves he wasn't asleep. Stop inventing your deductions. 168 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:01,679 Better eat, in my opinion, your worship, said the gardener Ephraim, 169 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:05,159 setting the samovar on the table. It was nobody but Nicholas who did this 170 00:14:05,279 --> 00:14:13,679 dirty trick? Quite possible, said Psykov. And who is Nicholas the Master's 171 00:14:13,759 --> 00:14:18,039 valid, your worship, answered Ephraim. Who else could it be? He 172 00:14:18,159 --> 00:14:20,200 is a rascal, your worship. He is a drunkard and a blackguard, 173 00:14:20,679 --> 00:14:24,440 the like of which Heaven should not permit. He always took the Master his 174 00:14:24,519 --> 00:14:30,480 vodka and put the Master to bed. Who else could it be? And 175 00:14:30,559 --> 00:14:33,279 I also ventured to point out to your worship he once boasted at the public 176 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:37,360 house that he would kill the Master. It happened on account of Aquilina, 177 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:41,840 the woman you know he was making up to his soldier's widow. She pleased 178 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:46,039 the Master. The Master made friends with her himself, and Nicholas. Naturally 179 00:14:46,039 --> 00:14:50,000 he was mad. He is rolling about drunk in the kitchen. Now he 180 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:56,120 is crying and telling lies, saying he is sorry for the master. The 181 00:14:56,200 --> 00:15:01,600 examining magistrate ordered Nicholas to be brought. Nicholas, a lanky young fellow with 182 00:15:01,679 --> 00:15:05,080 a long freckled nose, narrow chested, and wearing an old jacket of his 183 00:15:05,159 --> 00:15:09,639 master's, entered Psikov's room and bowed low before the magistrate. His face was 184 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:13,639 sleepy and tear stained. He was tipsy and could hardly keep his feet. 185 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:20,799 Where is your master, Tchubikov asked him, murdered you, worship. As 186 00:15:20,799 --> 00:15:24,960 he said this, Nicholas blinked and began to weep. We know he was 187 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:30,720 murdered, but where is he now? Where is his body? They say 188 00:15:30,759 --> 00:15:35,879 he was dragged out of the window and buried in the garden. Hum The 189 00:15:35,919 --> 00:15:39,879 results of the investigation are known in the kitchen already. That's bad. Where 190 00:15:39,919 --> 00:15:43,720 were you, my good fellow, the night the master was murdered Saturday night? 191 00:15:43,879 --> 00:15:50,080 That is? Nicholas raised his head, stretched his neck and began to 192 00:15:50,159 --> 00:15:54,279 think. I don't know you, worship, He said, I was drunk 193 00:15:54,360 --> 00:16:00,399 and don't remember. An alibi whispered Dukovsky, smiling and rubbing his hands. 194 00:16:00,799 --> 00:16:07,759 So and why is there blood under the master's window. Nicholas jerked his head 195 00:16:07,799 --> 00:16:12,799 up and considered. Hurry up, said the Captain of police right away. 196 00:16:14,559 --> 00:16:18,360 That blood doesn't amount to anything, you worship. I was cutting a chicken's 197 00:16:18,399 --> 00:16:22,159 throat. I was doing it quite simply in the usual way, when all 198 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:25,600 of a sudden it broke away and started to run. That is where the 199 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:30,240 blood came from. Iphraim declared that Nicholas did kill a chicken every evening, 200 00:16:30,519 --> 00:16:34,000 and always in some new place, but that nobody ever heard of a half 201 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:40,320 killed chicken running about the garden, though of course it wasn't impossible. An 202 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:45,039 alibi, sneered Dukovsky. And what an assenine alibi? Did ye know? 203 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:51,320 Aquilina? Yes, your worship, I know her, and the Master cut 204 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:55,399 you out with her, not at all, he cut me out, mister 205 00:16:55,399 --> 00:17:00,879 Psaikoff. Here Ivan Mikhailovitch, and the Master cut Ivan mikhailov That is how 206 00:17:00,919 --> 00:17:07,720 it was. Psakov grew confused and began to scratch his left eye. Dukovsky 207 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:11,519 looked at him attentively, noted his confusion, and started. He noticed that 208 00:17:11,599 --> 00:17:17,160 the director had dark blue trousers, which he had not observed before. The 209 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:22,039 trousers reminded him of the dark blue threads found on the burdock Troubikov, in 210 00:17:22,079 --> 00:17:27,599 his turn, glanced suspiciously at Psykov Go, he said to Nicholas, and 211 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:32,279 now permit me to put a question to you, mister Psikoff. Of course 212 00:17:32,319 --> 00:17:36,759 you were here last Saturday evening. Yes, I had supper with markouz Ivanovitch 213 00:17:36,839 --> 00:17:42,839 about ten o'clock and afterwards, afterwards, afterwards, Really, I do not 214 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:48,599 remember, stammered Psiko. I had a good deal to drink at supper. 215 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:52,519 I don't remember when or where I went to sleep. Why are you all 216 00:17:52,519 --> 00:17:56,920 looking at me like that, as if I was the murderer? Where were 217 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:00,799 you when you woke up? I was in the servants kitch, lying behind 218 00:18:00,839 --> 00:18:04,039 the stove. They can all confirm it. How I got behind the stove, 219 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:08,559 I don't know. Do not get agitated. Do you know, Aquilina, 220 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:14,799 there is nothing extraordinary about that. She first liked you and then preferred 221 00:18:14,839 --> 00:18:19,519 Klausov. Yes, Iphraim, give us some more mushrooms? Do you want 222 00:18:19,519 --> 00:18:26,799 some more tea? Yugrovkuzmitch a heavy oppressive silence began and lasted fully five minutes. 223 00:18:27,319 --> 00:18:33,799 Dukovsky silently kept his piercing eyes fixed on Psaikov's pale face. The silence 224 00:18:33,839 --> 00:18:37,599 was finally broken by the examining magistrate. We must go to the house and 225 00:18:37,759 --> 00:18:42,119 talk with Marya Ivanovna, the sister of the deceased. Perhaps she may be 226 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:48,079 able to supply some clues. Tchubikov and his assistant expressed their thanks for the 227 00:18:48,079 --> 00:18:55,119 breakfast and went toward the house. They found Klausov's sister, marya Ivanovna, 228 00:18:55,559 --> 00:19:00,839 an old maid of forty five, at prayer before the big case of ikons. 229 00:19:00,799 --> 00:19:06,000 When she saw the porfolios in her guest's hands and their official caps, 230 00:19:06,079 --> 00:19:11,640 she grew pale. Let me begin by apologizing for disturbing, so to speak, 231 00:19:11,799 --> 00:19:17,359 your devotions, began the gallant tobikough, bowing and scraping. We have 232 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:19,759 come to you with a request. Of course, you have heard already. 233 00:19:21,079 --> 00:19:23,240 There is a suspicion that your dear brother, in some way or other, 234 00:19:23,559 --> 00:19:27,880 has been murdered the will of God. You know no one can escape death, 235 00:19:29,319 --> 00:19:33,200 neither tsar nor plowmen. Could you not help us with some clue, 236 00:19:33,319 --> 00:19:40,400 some explanation? Oh, don't ask me, said marya Ivanovna, growing still 237 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:42,960 paler and covering her face with her hands. I can tell you nothing, 238 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:47,279 nothing. I beg you, I know nothing. What can I do? 239 00:19:47,519 --> 00:19:51,440 Oh no, no, not a word about my brother. If I die, 240 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:56,839 I won't say anything. Marya Ivanovna began to weep and left the room. 241 00:19:57,039 --> 00:20:00,000 The investigators looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and beat a 242 00:20:00,039 --> 00:20:06,079 retreat. Confound the woman, scolded Dukovsky, going out of the house. 243 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:10,640 It is clear she knows something and is concealing it, and the chambermaid has 244 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:15,720 a queer expression too. Wait, you wretches, we'll ferret it all out. 245 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:21,039 In the evening, Chubikov and his deputy lit on their road by the 246 00:20:21,079 --> 00:20:25,440 pale moon, wended their way homeward. They sat in their carriage and sought 247 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:30,640 over the results of the day. Both were tired and kept silent. Chubikov 248 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:34,559 was always unwilling to talk while traveling, and the talkative Dukovsky remained silent to 249 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:38,759 fall in with the elder man's humor. But at the end of their journey, 250 00:20:38,839 --> 00:20:44,519 the deputy could hold in no longer and said, it is quite certain. 251 00:20:44,759 --> 00:20:48,319 He said that Nicholas had something to do with the matter non dubitandum. 252 00:20:48,519 --> 00:20:52,200 Est you can see by his face what sort of a case he is. 253 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:57,759 His alibi betrays him body and bones. But it is also certain that he 254 00:20:57,839 --> 00:21:02,920 did not see the thing going. He was only the stupid hired tool. 255 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:07,559 Do you agree? And the humble Psikov was not without some slight share in 256 00:21:07,559 --> 00:21:12,160 the matter. His dark blue breeches, his agitation, his lying behind the 257 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:18,920 stove in terror after the murder, his alibi, and Aquilina grind away million. 258 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:23,599 It's your week. So according to you, whoever knew Aquilina is the 259 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:27,680 murderer, hot head, you ought to be sucking a bottle and not handling 260 00:21:27,759 --> 00:21:32,960 affairs. You were one of Aquilina's admirers yourself. Does it follow that you 261 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:37,359 are implicated too? Aquilina was cooking your house for a month. I am 262 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:41,480 saying nothing about that. The night before that Saturday, I was playing cards 263 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:45,400 with you and saw you. Otherwise I should be after you too. It 264 00:21:45,519 --> 00:21:49,440 isn't the woman that matters, old Chap. It is the mean, nasty, 265 00:21:49,559 --> 00:21:55,400 low spirit of jealousy that matters. The retiring young man was not pleased 266 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:59,200 when they got the better of him. You see his vanity don't you see 267 00:21:59,319 --> 00:22:04,880 he wanted rever then those thick lips of his suggest passion. So there you 268 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:10,319 have it wound itself, love and passion. That is quite enough motive for 269 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:14,160 a murder. We have two of them in our hands. But who is 270 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:18,000 the third? Nicholas and Psakov held him. But who smothered him? Psikov 271 00:22:18,079 --> 00:22:22,519 is shy, timid and all round coward, and Nicholas would not know how 272 00:22:22,559 --> 00:22:27,039 to smother with a pillow his sort use an axe or a club. Some 273 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:33,920 third person did the smothering. But who was it? Draukovski crambed his hat 274 00:22:33,079 --> 00:22:37,480 down over his eyes and pondered. He remained silent until the carriage rolled up 275 00:22:37,519 --> 00:22:44,000 to the magistrate's door. Eureka, he said, entering the little house and 276 00:22:44,039 --> 00:22:48,599 throwing off his overcoat. Eureka, Nikolas Yamulayevitch. The only thing I can't 277 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:52,480 understand is how it did not occur to me sooner? Do you know who 278 00:22:52,519 --> 00:22:57,319 the third person was? Oh, for goodness sake, shut up, There 279 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:03,519 is supper. Sit down to y evening meal. The magistrate on Dukovsky sat 280 00:23:03,559 --> 00:23:07,480 down to supper. Dukovsky poured himself out a glass of vodka. Rose drew 281 00:23:07,559 --> 00:23:14,000 himself up and said with sparkling eyes, Well, learn that the third person 282 00:23:14,079 --> 00:23:18,359 who acted in concert with that scoundrel Psaikhov and did the smothering was a woman. 283 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:27,039 Yes, I'm in The murdered man's sister, marya Ivanovna Chubikov choked over 284 00:23:27,079 --> 00:23:33,279 his vodka and fixed his eyes on Dukovsky. If you aren't what's its name? 285 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:36,720 Your head isn't what you call it, You haven't a pain in it? 286 00:23:37,039 --> 00:23:41,039 I am perfectly well, very well, let us say I am crazy. 287 00:23:41,319 --> 00:23:45,680 But how do you explain her confusion when we appeared? How do you 288 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:49,160 explain her unwillingness to give us any information? Let us admit that these are 289 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:55,200 trifles. Very well, all right, but remember their relations. She detested 290 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:59,240 her brother. She never forgave him for living apart from his wife. She 291 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:03,480 is of the old while in her eyes he is a godless profligate. There 292 00:24:03,559 --> 00:24:07,920 is where the germ of her hate was hatched. They say he succeeded in 293 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:11,400 making her believe that he was an angel of Satan. He even went in 294 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:17,880 for spiritualism in her presence. Well, what of that? Ye don't understand? 295 00:24:18,599 --> 00:24:22,839 She as a member of the old faith, murdered him through fanaticism. 296 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:26,240 It was not only that she was putting to death a weed, a profligate. 297 00:24:26,759 --> 00:24:30,720 She was freeing the world of an antichrist. And there, in her 298 00:24:30,759 --> 00:24:36,000 opinion was her service, her religious achievement. Oh you don't know those old 299 00:24:36,039 --> 00:24:41,640 maids of the old faith? Read Dostoyevsky, and what does Lyskov say about 300 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:45,200 them? Or Pocchersky. It was she and nobody else. Even if you 301 00:24:45,279 --> 00:24:49,319 cut me open, she smothered him. Oh, treacherous woman. Wasn't that 302 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:52,839 the reason why she was kneeling before the icons when we came in, just 303 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:56,759 to take our attention away. Let me kneel down and pray, she said 304 00:24:56,799 --> 00:25:00,480 to herself, and they will think I am tranquil in did not expect them. 305 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,799 That is the plan of all novices in crime. Nicholas Yamulayevitch, Old 306 00:25:04,839 --> 00:25:07,799 pal, my, dear, old man. Won't you entrust this business to 307 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:11,759 me? Let me personally bring it through. Friend, I began it and 308 00:25:11,799 --> 00:25:18,400 I will finish it. Chubikov shook his head and frowned. We know how 309 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:22,599 to manage difficult matters ourselves, he said, And your business is not to 310 00:25:22,599 --> 00:25:26,599 push yourself in where ye don't belong. Write from dictation. When you are 311 00:25:26,599 --> 00:25:32,960 dictated to that is your job. Dukovsky flared up, banged the door and 312 00:25:33,079 --> 00:25:40,119 disappeared. Clever Rascal, muttered Chubikov, glancing after him. Awfully clever, 313 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:42,759 but too much of a hot head. I must buy him a cigar case 314 00:25:42,799 --> 00:25:48,680 at the fair as at present. The next day, early in the morning, 315 00:25:48,759 --> 00:25:52,200 a young man with a big head and a pursed up mouth who came 316 00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:56,680 from Klasov's place, was introduced to the magistrate's office. He said he was 317 00:25:56,720 --> 00:26:00,640 the shepherd Daniel and brought a very interesting piece of information. I was a 318 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:06,240 bit drunk, he said. I was with my pal till midnight. On 319 00:26:06,319 --> 00:26:08,119 my way home. As I was drunk, I went into the river for 320 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:11,799 a bath. I was taking a bath when I looked up. Two men 321 00:26:11,839 --> 00:26:17,759 were walking along the dam carrying something black show. I cried at them. 322 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:22,079 They got scared and went off like the wind toward Makareff's cabbage garden. Strike 323 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:27,400 me dead if they weren't carrying away the master. That same day, toward 324 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:33,240 evening, Psakov and Nicholas were arrested and brought under guard to the district town. 325 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:36,319 In the town, they were committed to the cells of the prison. 326 00:26:38,079 --> 00:26:45,359 Part two. A fortnight passed, it was morning. The magistrate Nicholas Yamalayevitch 327 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:51,400 was sitting in his office before a green table, turning over the papers of 328 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:56,079 the Klausov case. Taukovsky was striding restlessly up and down, like a wolf 329 00:26:56,079 --> 00:27:00,039 in a cage. You are convinced of the guilt of Nikola Psykov, he 330 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:04,279 said, nervously, plucking at his young beard. Why will you not believe 331 00:27:04,279 --> 00:27:08,400 in the guilt of marya Ivanovna. Are there not proofs enough for you? 332 00:27:11,359 --> 00:27:14,720 I don't say I am not convinced. I am convinced, but somehow I 333 00:27:14,759 --> 00:27:18,160 don't believe it. There are no real proofs, but just a kind of 334 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:25,400 philosophizing fanaticism. This and that you can't do without an axe and blood stained 335 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:30,160 sheets. Those jurists very well, I'll prove it to you. You will 336 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:34,400 stop sneering at the psychological side of the affair to Siberia with your marya Ivanovna. 337 00:27:36,079 --> 00:27:38,559 I will prove it. If philosophy is not enough for you, I 338 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:44,559 have something substantial for you. It will show you how correct my philosophy is. 339 00:27:45,079 --> 00:27:49,119 Just give me permission. What are you going on about about the safety 340 00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:53,039 match. Have you forgotten it? I haven't. I am going to find 341 00:27:53,039 --> 00:27:57,440 out who struck it in the murdered man's room. It was not Nicholas that 342 00:27:57,519 --> 00:28:00,839 struck it. It was not Psykov, for neither of them had any matches 343 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:06,559 when they were examined. It was the third person, marya Ivanovna. I 344 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:10,039 will prove it to you. Just give me permission to go through the district 345 00:28:10,039 --> 00:28:14,799 to find out. That's enough, Sit down, Let's go on with the 346 00:28:14,839 --> 00:28:19,799 examination. Dukovsky sat down at a little table and plunged his long nose in 347 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:26,960 a bundle of papers. Bring in Nicholas, Tetakov, cried the examining magistrate. 348 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:30,359 They brought Nicholas in. Nicholas was pale and thin as a rail. 349 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:38,039 He was trembling. Tetakov began Tchubikov. In eighteen seventy nine, you were 350 00:28:38,119 --> 00:28:42,200 tried in the court of the first Division, convicted of theft and sentenced to 351 00:28:42,240 --> 00:28:47,799 imprisonment. In eighteen eighty two you would tried a second time for theft and 352 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:53,519 were again imprisoned. We know all astonishment was depicted in Nicholas's face. The 353 00:28:53,599 --> 00:29:00,440 examining magistrate's omniscience startled him, but soon His expression of astonishment changed wish to 354 00:29:00,519 --> 00:29:03,960 extreme indignation. He began to cry and requested permission to go and wash his 355 00:29:04,039 --> 00:29:11,920 face and quiet down. They led him away. Bring in Psikov, ordered 356 00:29:11,960 --> 00:29:17,519 the examining magistrate. They brought in Psikov. The young man had changed greatly 357 00:29:17,599 --> 00:29:21,400 during the last few days. He had grown thin and pale and looked haggard. 358 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:26,599 His eyes had an apathetic expression. Sit down, Psychov said, Chubikov, 359 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:30,200 I hope that to day you are going to be reasonable and will not 360 00:29:30,240 --> 00:29:34,359 tell lies as you did before. All these days you have denied that you 361 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:37,720 had anything to do with the murder of Klausov, in spite of all the 362 00:29:37,759 --> 00:29:44,000 proofs that testify against you. That is foolish. Confession will lighten your guilt. 363 00:29:44,559 --> 00:29:47,079 This is the last time I am going to talk to you. If 364 00:29:47,079 --> 00:29:48,759 you do not confess to day, to morrow, it will be too late. 365 00:29:49,079 --> 00:29:55,680 Come tell me all. I know nothing about it. I know nothing 366 00:29:55,720 --> 00:30:02,680 about your proofs, answered Psikov, almost inaudibly. It's no use. Well, 367 00:30:02,759 --> 00:30:06,119 let me relate to you how the matter took place. On Saturday evening, 368 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:08,839 you were sitting in Klausov's sleeping room and drinking vodka. And beer with 369 00:30:08,920 --> 00:30:15,400 him. Dukovsky fixed his eyes on Psakov's face and kept them there all through 370 00:30:15,400 --> 00:30:22,119 the examination. Nicholas was waiting on you. At one o'clock, Marko Ivanovitch 371 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:25,920 announced his attention of going to bed. He always went to bed at one 372 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:30,200 o'clock. When he was taking off his boots and was giving you directions about 373 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:33,359 details of management. You and Nicholas, at a given signal, seized your 374 00:30:33,400 --> 00:30:37,640 drunken master and threw him on the bed. One of you sat on his 375 00:30:37,759 --> 00:30:41,400 legs, the other on his head. Then a third person came in from 376 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:44,799 the passage, a woman in a black dress, whom ye know well, 377 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:48,480 and who had previously arranged with you as to her share in your criminal deed. 378 00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:52,759 She seized a pillow and began to smother him. While the struggle was 379 00:30:52,799 --> 00:30:56,920 going on, the candle went out. The woman took a box of safety 380 00:30:56,960 --> 00:31:02,119 matches from her pocket and lit the candle. Was it not so I see 381 00:31:02,160 --> 00:31:04,319 by your face that I am speaking the truth? But to go on? 382 00:31:04,920 --> 00:31:08,200 After you had smothered him and saw that you had ceased breathing, Hugh and 383 00:31:08,319 --> 00:31:12,440 Nicholas pulled him through the window and laid him down near the burdock. Fearing 384 00:31:12,440 --> 00:31:17,480 that you might come round again, you struck him with something sharp. Then 385 00:31:17,519 --> 00:31:19,799 you carried him away and laid him down under a lilac bush for a short 386 00:31:19,839 --> 00:31:25,200 time. After resting a while and considering, you carried him across the fence. 387 00:31:25,759 --> 00:31:29,759 Then you entered the road. After that comes the dam. Near the 388 00:31:29,839 --> 00:31:33,000 dam, a peasant frightened you. Well, what is the matter with you? 389 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:40,039 I am suffocating, replied Psikov. Very well, have it so? 390 00:31:40,240 --> 00:31:45,599 Only let me go out, please. They led Psikov away. At last, 391 00:31:45,640 --> 00:31:51,119 he has confessed, cried Chubikov, stretching himself luxuriously. He has betrayed 392 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:55,960 himself, and didn't I get round him cleverly, regularly caught him napping, 393 00:31:56,119 --> 00:32:00,599 and he doesn't deny the woman in the black dress out to Dukovsky. But 394 00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:05,559 all the same, that safety match is tormenting me. Frightfully. I can't 395 00:32:05,559 --> 00:32:09,599 stand it any longer. Good Bye, I am off. Dukovski put on 396 00:32:09,680 --> 00:32:15,599 his cap and drove Offchubikov began to examine Aquilina. Aquilina declared that she knew 397 00:32:15,599 --> 00:32:22,680 nothing whatever about it. At six that evening, Dukovski returned. He was 398 00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:25,440 more agitated than he had ever been before. His hands trembled so that he 399 00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:30,920 could not even unbutton his greatcoat. His cheeks glowed. It was clear that 400 00:32:30,960 --> 00:32:36,839 he did not come empty handed. Vinny Vidyevitchy, he cried, rushing into 401 00:32:36,920 --> 00:32:39,799 Chubikov's room and falling into an arm chair. I swear to you, my 402 00:32:39,880 --> 00:32:44,440 honor, I begin to believe that I am a genius. Listen, devil, 403 00:32:44,440 --> 00:32:46,920 take us all. It is funny and it is sad. We have 404 00:32:47,000 --> 00:32:51,880 caught three already. Isn't that so well? I have found the fourth, 405 00:32:52,119 --> 00:32:55,640 and a woman at that He will never believe who it is. But listen. 406 00:32:57,119 --> 00:33:00,480 I went to Klasov's village and began to make a spiral round it. 407 00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:04,200 I visited all the little shops, public houses, dram shops, on the 408 00:33:04,279 --> 00:33:07,880 road, everywhere, asking for safety matches. Everywhere they said there hadn't any. 409 00:33:08,440 --> 00:33:13,200 I made a wide round. Twenty times I lost faith, and twenty 410 00:33:13,240 --> 00:33:15,799 times I got back again. I knocked about the whole day, and only 411 00:33:15,839 --> 00:33:21,880 an hour ago I got on the track three versts from here. They gave 412 00:33:21,920 --> 00:33:27,039 me a packet of ten boxes. One box was missing. Immediately who bought 413 00:33:27,079 --> 00:33:31,119 the other box? Such a one? She was pleased with them Old man 414 00:33:31,680 --> 00:33:37,319 Nicholas Yamalayevitch. See what a fellow who was expelled from the seminary and who 415 00:33:37,359 --> 00:33:40,960 has read Garboryo can do. From to day on, I begin to respect 416 00:33:40,960 --> 00:33:47,680 myself. Oof, Well, come, come where to HER's Noumber four? 417 00:33:49,240 --> 00:33:52,839 We must hurry otherwise otherwise I'll burst with impatience. Do you know who she 418 00:33:53,000 --> 00:34:00,480 is? You'll never guess. Olga Petrovna markus Ivanovitch's wife, his own wife, 419 00:34:00,799 --> 00:34:04,000 That's who it is. She is the person who bought the match box. 420 00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:09,280 You you, you are out of your mind. It's quite simple to 421 00:34:09,360 --> 00:34:14,159 begin with. She smokes. Secondly, she was head and ears in love 422 00:34:14,199 --> 00:34:16,679 with Klausov, even after he refused to live in the same house with her 423 00:34:17,000 --> 00:34:22,000 because she was always scolding his head off. Why they say she used to 424 00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:25,320 beat him because she loved him so much, and then he positively refused to 425 00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:30,159 stay in the same house. Love tan souer hell hath no fury like a 426 00:34:30,199 --> 00:34:35,480 woman scorned. But come along quick or it will be dark. Come. 427 00:34:36,960 --> 00:34:40,559 I am not yet sufficiently crazy to go and disturb a respectable, honorable woman 428 00:34:40,880 --> 00:34:47,039 in the middle of the night for a crazy boy. Respectable honorable do honorable 429 00:34:47,039 --> 00:34:52,480 women murder their husbands. After that, you are a rag and not an 430 00:34:52,480 --> 00:34:55,920 examining magistrate. I never ventured to call your names before, but now you 431 00:34:57,039 --> 00:35:01,360 compel me to rag dressing gown. Dear, Nicholas Yamulakovitch, do come, 432 00:35:01,400 --> 00:35:07,280 I beg of you. The magistrate made a deprecating motion with his hand. 433 00:35:08,280 --> 00:35:12,440 I beg of you. I ask not for myself, but in the interests 434 00:35:12,440 --> 00:35:16,039 of justice. I beg you. I implore you do what ask kitty. 435 00:35:16,239 --> 00:35:23,800 Just this. Once Dukovsky went down on his knees. Nicholas Yamulakovitch, be 436 00:35:24,039 --> 00:35:29,559 kind, call me a blackguard, and ne'er do well if I am mistaken 437 00:35:29,559 --> 00:35:32,119 about this woman. You see what an affair it is, What a case? 438 00:35:32,159 --> 00:35:37,440 It is a romance, a woman murdering her own husband for love. 439 00:35:37,400 --> 00:35:42,920 The fame of it will go all over Russia. They will make investigator in 440 00:35:42,960 --> 00:35:50,280 all important cases. Understand O, foolish old man. The magistrate frowned and 441 00:35:50,400 --> 00:35:54,599 undecidedly stretched his hand towards his cap. Oh the devil take you, he 442 00:35:54,679 --> 00:36:00,400 said, let us go. It was dark when the magist Tred's carriage rolled 443 00:36:00,480 --> 00:36:04,719 up to the porch of the old country house, in which all Gopetrovna had 444 00:36:04,719 --> 00:36:09,000 taken refuge with her brother. What pigs we are, said Tchubikov, taking 445 00:36:09,039 --> 00:36:14,320 hold of the bell to disturb a poor woman like this. It's all right, 446 00:36:14,360 --> 00:36:16,480 it's all right, don't get frightened. We can say that we have 447 00:36:16,559 --> 00:36:22,079 broken a spring. Chubikov and Dukovsky were met at the threshold by a tall, 448 00:36:22,119 --> 00:36:28,000 buxom woman of three and twenty with pitch black brows and juicy red lips. 449 00:36:28,719 --> 00:36:32,000 It was all Gopetrovna, herself, apparently not in the least distressed by 450 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:37,679 the recent tragedy. Oh, what a pleasant surprise, she said, smiling 451 00:36:37,719 --> 00:36:42,360 broadly. You are just in time for supper. Kosmar Petrovitch is not at 452 00:36:42,360 --> 00:36:45,679 home. He is visiting the priest and has stayed late. But we'll get 453 00:36:45,679 --> 00:36:51,800 on without him. Be seated. You have come from the examination. Yes, 454 00:36:52,599 --> 00:36:55,239 we broke a spring, you know, began Tchubikov, entering the sitting 455 00:36:55,320 --> 00:37:00,239 room and sinking into an arm chair. Take her unawares at once, whispered 456 00:37:00,280 --> 00:37:06,480 Dukovsky. Take her unawares a spring. Hum, Yes, so we came 457 00:37:06,519 --> 00:37:09,639 in. Take her unawares. I tell you, she will guess what the 458 00:37:09,679 --> 00:37:15,320 matter is. If you drag things out like that. We'll do it yourself 459 00:37:15,320 --> 00:37:19,280 as you want, but let me get out of it, muttered to muttered 460 00:37:19,360 --> 00:37:23,519 Chubikov, rising and going to the window. Yes, a spring began Dukovsky, 461 00:37:23,800 --> 00:37:28,559 going close to Olga Petrovna and wrinkling his long nose. We did not 462 00:37:28,719 --> 00:37:32,960 drive over here to take supper with you or to see Cosmo Petrovitch. We 463 00:37:34,039 --> 00:37:37,280 came here to ask you, respected madam, where Markus Ivanovitch is whom you 464 00:37:37,440 --> 00:37:45,679 murdered? What Markus Ivanovitch murdered? Stammered Olga Petrovna, and her broad face 465 00:37:45,800 --> 00:37:52,760 suddenly and instantaneously flushed bright scarlet. I don't understand. I ask you, 466 00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:57,559 in the name of the law. Where is Klausov? We know all? 467 00:37:58,639 --> 00:38:02,760 Who told you? Olga Petrovna asked in a low voice, unable to endure 468 00:38:02,800 --> 00:38:07,480 Dukovsky's glance. Be so good as to show us where he is. But 469 00:38:07,599 --> 00:38:12,920 how did you find out who told you? We know all? I demand 470 00:38:12,960 --> 00:38:16,400 it in the name of the law. The examining magistrate, emboldened by her 471 00:38:16,400 --> 00:38:20,760 confusion, came forward and said, show us and we will go away. 472 00:38:21,000 --> 00:38:24,239 Otherwise we what do you want with him? Madam? What is the use 473 00:38:24,239 --> 00:38:28,559 of these questions. We ask you to show us you tremble. You are 474 00:38:28,599 --> 00:38:31,119 agitated. Yes, he has been murdered, and if you must have it 475 00:38:31,199 --> 00:38:38,039 murdered by you, your accomplices have betrayed you. Olga Petrovna grew pale. 476 00:38:38,599 --> 00:38:43,119 Come, she said, in a low voice, wringing her hands. I 477 00:38:43,199 --> 00:38:46,440 have him hid in the bath house only for Heaven's sake. Do not tell 478 00:38:46,519 --> 00:38:51,159 Kouzmar Petrovitch. I beg and implore you. He will never forgive me. 479 00:38:52,599 --> 00:38:55,840 Olga Petrovna took down a big key from the wall and led her guests through 480 00:38:55,840 --> 00:39:00,679 the kitchen and passage to the courtyard. The courtyard was on darkness, fine 481 00:39:00,760 --> 00:39:07,119 rain was falling. Olga Petrovna walked in advance of them. Chubikoff and Dukovski 482 00:39:07,199 --> 00:39:13,039 strode behind her through the long grass as the odor of wild hem and dishwater 483 00:39:13,119 --> 00:39:17,159 splushing under their feet reached them. The courtyard was wide. Soon the dishwater 484 00:39:17,280 --> 00:39:22,920 ceased, and they felt freshly broken earth under their feet. In the darkness 485 00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:27,039 appeared the shadowy outlines of trees, and among the trees a little house with 486 00:39:27,119 --> 00:39:32,079 a crooked chimney. That is the bath house, said Olga Petrovna. But 487 00:39:32,159 --> 00:39:36,239 I implore you do not tell my brother. If ye do, I'll never 488 00:39:36,280 --> 00:39:39,480 hear the end of it. Going up to the bath house, Chubikov and 489 00:39:39,559 --> 00:39:45,639 Dukovsky saw a huge padlock on the door. Get your candle and matches ready, 490 00:39:45,119 --> 00:39:52,039 whispered the examining magistrate to his deputy. Olga Petrovna unfastened the padlock and 491 00:39:52,159 --> 00:39:57,119 let her guests into the bath house. Tukowski struck a match and lit up 492 00:39:57,159 --> 00:40:00,199 the ante room. In the middle of the ante room stood table. On 493 00:40:00,320 --> 00:40:06,239 the table Beside the sturdy little Samovar stood a soup tureen with old cabbage soup 494 00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:10,519 and a plate with the remnants of some sauce. Forward, they went into 495 00:40:10,559 --> 00:40:14,519 the next room, where the bath was, there was a table there. 496 00:40:14,559 --> 00:40:17,800 Also on the table was a dish with some ham, a bottle of vodka, 497 00:40:17,840 --> 00:40:22,800 plaits, knives forks. But where is it? Where is the murdered 498 00:40:22,800 --> 00:40:30,320 man, asked the examining magistrate. On the top tier, whispered Olga Petrovna, 499 00:40:30,519 --> 00:40:35,920 still pale and trembling, Dukovski took the candle in his hand and climbed 500 00:40:35,960 --> 00:40:38,679 up to the top tier of the sweating frame. There he saw a long 501 00:40:38,800 --> 00:40:44,360 human body lying motionless, on a large feather bed. A slight snow came 502 00:40:44,360 --> 00:40:47,119 from the body. You are making fun of us, devil, take it, 503 00:40:47,599 --> 00:40:52,039 cried Dukovski. That is not the murdered man. Some live fool is 504 00:40:52,119 --> 00:40:58,800 lying here here. Whoever you are the devil, take you. The body 505 00:40:58,880 --> 00:41:02,480 drew in a quick breath, stirred. Teukovsky stuck his elbow into it. 506 00:41:02,480 --> 00:41:07,880 It raised a hand, stretched itself and lifted its head. Who is sneaking 507 00:41:07,920 --> 00:41:10,119 in here? He asked, in a hoarse, heavy bass, what do 508 00:41:10,159 --> 00:41:15,400 you want? Teukovsky raised the candle to the face of the unknown and cried 509 00:41:15,440 --> 00:41:21,159 out in the red nose, disheveled, unkempt hair, the pitch black mustaches, 510 00:41:21,679 --> 00:41:24,920 one of which was jauntily twisted and pointed insolently toward the ceiling. He 511 00:41:25,000 --> 00:41:34,880 recognized the gallant cavalryman Klausov You markus Ivanovitch. Is it possible? The examining 512 00:41:34,920 --> 00:41:38,960 magistrate glanced sharply up at him and stood spellbound. Yes, it is I. 513 00:41:39,679 --> 00:41:44,280 That's you, Dukovsky. What the devil do you want here? And 514 00:41:44,320 --> 00:41:47,840 who's that other mug down there? Great snakes, it's the examining magistrate. 515 00:41:49,400 --> 00:41:53,880 What fate has brought him here? Klasov rushed down and threw his arms round 516 00:41:53,960 --> 00:42:00,280 Chubikov in a cordial embrace. Olga Petrovna slipped through the door. How did 517 00:42:00,320 --> 00:42:04,920 you come here? Let's have a drink, devil take it. Tratati tutum, 518 00:42:05,199 --> 00:42:08,679 tratati tutum. Let us drink? But who brought you here? How 519 00:42:08,679 --> 00:42:12,719 did you find out that I was here? But it doesn't matter. Let's 520 00:42:12,719 --> 00:42:17,039 have a drink. Klasov lit the lamp and poured out three glasses of vodka. 521 00:42:17,639 --> 00:42:22,760 That is I don't understand you, said the examining magistrate, running his 522 00:42:22,840 --> 00:42:27,280 hands over him. Is this you or not you? Oh? Shut up? 523 00:42:27,800 --> 00:42:31,079 You want to preach me a sermon. Don't trouble yourself, young Dukovsky. 524 00:42:31,119 --> 00:42:35,840 Empty your glass, friends, let us bring this What are you looking 525 00:42:35,880 --> 00:42:42,000 at? Drink all the same? I do not understand, said the examining 526 00:42:42,039 --> 00:42:46,920 magistrate, mechanically drinking off the vodka. What are you here for? Why 527 00:42:46,920 --> 00:42:52,039 shouldn't I be here? If I am all right here, Klasov drained his 528 00:42:52,119 --> 00:42:54,960 glass and took a bite of ham. I am in captivity here, as 529 00:42:54,960 --> 00:42:59,480 you see, in solitude in a cavern, like a ghost or a bogy 530 00:43:00,239 --> 00:43:04,639 drink. She carried me off and locked me up. And well, I 531 00:43:04,679 --> 00:43:07,400 am living here in the deserted bath house like a hermit. I am fed. 532 00:43:08,000 --> 00:43:12,079 Next week I think I'll try to get out. I'm tired of it 533 00:43:12,119 --> 00:43:22,719 here incomprehensible, said Tukovski. What is incomprehensible about it? Incomprehensible? For 534 00:43:22,760 --> 00:43:25,760 heaven's sake, how did your boot get into the garden? What boot? 535 00:43:28,000 --> 00:43:30,760 We found one boot in the sleeping room and the other in the garden. 536 00:43:30,719 --> 00:43:34,280 And what you want to know that for? It's none of your business. 537 00:43:34,880 --> 00:43:37,159 Why didn't you drink? Devil take you? If you wakened me, then 538 00:43:37,239 --> 00:43:40,559 drink with me. It is an interesting tale, brother, that of the 539 00:43:40,599 --> 00:43:45,239 boot. I didn't want to go with Olga. I don't like to be 540 00:43:45,320 --> 00:43:49,400 bossed. She came under the window and began to abuse me. She always 541 00:43:49,480 --> 00:43:53,000 was a termagant. You know what women are, like all of them. 542 00:43:53,639 --> 00:43:57,239 I was a bit drunk, so I took a boot and heaved it at 543 00:43:57,239 --> 00:44:00,960 her. Ha ha ha tita not a scold enough time. But it didn't, 544 00:44:01,119 --> 00:44:04,760 not a bit of it. She climbed in at the window, lit 545 00:44:04,760 --> 00:44:07,719 the lamp and began to hammer poor tipsy me. She thrushed me dragged me 546 00:44:07,760 --> 00:44:12,559 over here and locked me in. She feeds me now on love, vodka 547 00:44:12,559 --> 00:44:15,119 and ham. But where are you off to, Chubikov, Where are you 548 00:44:15,199 --> 00:44:22,840 going? The examining magistrates swore and left the bath house. Teukoski followed him, 549 00:44:22,880 --> 00:44:25,760 crest fallen. They silently took their seats in the carriage and drove off. 550 00:44:27,960 --> 00:44:30,320 The road never seemed to them so long and disagreeable as it did that 551 00:44:30,480 --> 00:44:37,320 time. Both remained silent. Chubikov trembled with rage all the way. Teukovski 552 00:44:37,360 --> 00:44:39,599 hid his nose in the collar of his overcoat, as if he was afraid 553 00:44:39,599 --> 00:44:44,039 that the darkness and the drizzling rain might read the shame in his face. 554 00:44:45,119 --> 00:44:50,840 When they reached home, the examining magistrate found doctor Tyutyev awaiting him. The 555 00:44:50,880 --> 00:44:53,639 doctor was sitting at the table and, sighing deeply, was turning over the 556 00:44:53,679 --> 00:44:59,599 pages of the Never such goings on there are in the world, he said, 557 00:45:00,119 --> 00:45:04,480 meeting the examining magistrate with a sad smile. Austria is at it again, 558 00:45:05,039 --> 00:45:08,960 and Gladstone also to some extent. Chubikov threw his cap under the table 559 00:45:08,960 --> 00:45:15,400 and shook himself devil's skeletons don't you plague me A thousand times. I have 560 00:45:15,480 --> 00:45:19,199 told you not to bother me with your politics. This is no question of 561 00:45:19,280 --> 00:45:23,559 politics, and you, said Tchubikov, turning to Dukovsky and shaking his fist. 562 00:45:24,000 --> 00:45:29,760 I won't forget this in a thousand years. But the safety match, 563 00:45:29,880 --> 00:45:34,360 how could I know? Choke yourself with your safety match. Get out of 564 00:45:34,360 --> 00:45:37,599 my way. Don't make me mad or the devil only knows what I'll do 565 00:45:37,719 --> 00:45:43,280 to you. Dukovsky sighed, took his hat and went out. I'll go 566 00:45:43,360 --> 00:45:46,519 and get drunk, he decided, going through the door and gloomily wending his 567 00:45:46,599 --> 00:45:52,960 way to the public house. End of the Safety Match by Anton Tchekhov