"Ah!--And you were saying: I don't know Michka! You see that you do
know him. What's put you out, Semenitch?"

"Enough, Grichka, say no more and off with you--"

The officer was getting angry and, darting apprehensive glances on
either side, tried to free his hand from the firm grasp of Tchelkache.
The last named looked at him calmly from under his heavy eyebrows,
while a slight smile curved his lips, and without releasing his hold of
the officer's hand, continued talking.

"Don't hurry me. When I'm through talking to you I'll go. Tell me how
you're getting on. Are your wife and children well?"

Accompanying his words with a terrible glance, and showing his teeth in
a mocking grin, he added:

"I'm always intending to make you a visit, but I never have the time:
I'm always drunk--"

"That'll do, that'll do, drop that--Stop joking, bony devil! If you
don't, comrade, I--Or do you really intend to rob houses and streets?"

"Why? There's enough here for both of us. My God, yes!--Semenitch!
You've stolen two boxes of goods again?--Look out, Semenitch, be
careful! Or you'll be caught one of these days!"

Semenitch trembled with anger at the impudence of Tchelkache; he spat
upon the ground in a vain effort to speak. Tchelkache let go his hand