the forged coupon()-µÚ7ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
during¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡stole¡¡¡¡¡¡horses¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡pasture¡¡¡¡¡¡ground¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡village¡¡
Kolotovka¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡generally¡¡¡¡¡¡preferred¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡steal¡¡¡¡¡¡horses¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡landowners¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡
tradespeople¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡this¡¡was¡¡a¡¡harder¡¡job£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡he¡¡had¡¡no¡¡chance¡¡of¡¡
success¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡mind¡¡robbing¡¡peasants¡¡too¡£¡¡In¡¡Kolotovka¡¡he¡¡drove¡¡off¡¡
the¡¡horses¡¡without¡¡making¡¡sure¡¡whose¡¡they¡¡were¡£¡¡He¡¡did¡¡not¡¡go¡¡himself¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡spot£»¡¡but¡¡sent¡¡a¡¡young¡¡and¡¡clever¡¡fellow£»¡¡Gerassim£»¡¡to¡¡do¡¡the¡¡stealing¡¡
for¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡peasants¡¡only¡¡got¡¡to¡¡know¡¡of¡¡the¡¡theft¡¡at¡¡dawn£»¡¡they¡¡rushed¡¡
in¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡directions¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡hunt¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡robbers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡horses£»¡¡¡¡¡¡meanwhile£»¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡
hidden¡¡in¡¡a¡¡ravine¡¡in¡¡the¡¡forest¡¡lands¡¡belonging¡¡to¡¡the¡¡state¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov¡¡intended¡¡to¡¡leave¡¡them¡¡there¡¡till¡¡the¡¡following¡¡night£»¡¡and¡¡
then¡¡to¡¡transport¡¡them¡¡¡¡with¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡utmost¡¡¡¡¡¡haste¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡hundred¡¡¡¡¡¡miles¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
man¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡visited¡¡¡¡¡¡Gerassim¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡forest£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡
getting¡¡on£»¡¡brought¡¡him¡¡a¡¡pie¡¡and¡¡some¡¡vodka£»¡¡and¡¡was¡¡returning¡¡home¡¡by¡¡
a¡¡side¡¡track¡¡in¡¡the¡¡forest¡¡where¡¡he¡¡hoped¡¡to¡¡meet¡¡nobody¡£¡¡But¡¡by¡¡ill¡luck£»¡¡
he¡¡chanced¡¡on¡¡the¡¡keeper¡¡of¡¡the¡¡forest£»¡¡a¡¡retired¡¡soldier¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡say£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Have¡¡you¡¡been¡¡looking¡¡for¡¡mushrooms£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡the¡¡soldier¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨There¡¡were¡¡none¡¡to¡¡be¡¡found£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov£»¡¡showing¡¡the¡¡
basket¡¡of¡¡lime¡¡bark¡¡he¡¡had¡¡taken¡¡with¡¡him¡¡in¡¡case¡¡he¡¡might¡¡want¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡mushrooms¡¡are¡¡scarce¡¡this¡¡summer£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡soldier¡£¡¡He¡¡stood¡¡
still¡¡for¡¡a¡¡moment£»¡¡pondered£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡went¡¡his¡¡way¡£¡¡He¡¡clearly¡¡saw¡¡that¡¡
something¡¡was¡¡wrong¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov¡¡had¡¡no¡¡business¡¡whatever¡¡to¡¡take¡¡
early¡¡morning¡¡walks¡¡in¡¡that¡¡forest¡£¡¡The¡¡soldier¡¡went¡¡back¡¡after¡¡a¡¡while¡¡and¡¡
looked¡¡round¡£¡¡Suddenly¡¡he¡¡heard¡¡the¡¡snorting¡¡of¡¡horses¡¡in¡¡the¡¡ravine¡£¡¡He¡¡
made¡¡his¡¡way¡¡cautiously¡¡to¡¡the¡¡place¡¡whence¡¡the¡¡sounds¡¡came¡£¡¡The¡¡grass¡¡
in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ravine¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡trodden¡¡¡¡¡¡down£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡marks¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡horses'¡¡¡¡¡¡hoofs¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡
clearly¡¡to¡¡be¡¡seen¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡little¡¡further¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡Gerassim£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡sitting¡¡and¡¡
eating¡¡his¡¡meal£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡horses¡¡tied¡¡to¡¡a¡¡tree¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡soldier¡¡¡¡¡¡ran¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡village¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡brought¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bailiff£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡police¡¡
officer£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡witnesses¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡surrounded¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡sides¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡spot¡¡
where¡¡Gerassim¡¡was¡¡sitting¡¡and¡¡seized¡¡the¡¡man¡£¡¡He¡¡did¡¡not¡¡deny¡¡anything£»¡¡
but£»¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡drunk£»¡¡¡¡¡¡told¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡Ivan¡¡¡¡¡¡Mironov¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡given¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡29¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡30¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FORGED¡¡COUPONAnd¡¡Other¡¡Stories¡¡
plenty¡¡of¡¡drink£»¡¡and¡¡induced¡¡him¡¡to¡¡steal¡¡the¡¡horses£»¡¡he¡¡also¡¡said¡¡that¡¡Ivan¡¡
Mironov¡¡had¡¡promised¡¡to¡¡come¡¡that¡¡night¡¡in¡¡order¡¡to¡¡take¡¡the¡¡horses¡¡away¡£¡¡
The¡¡peasants¡¡left¡¡the¡¡horses¡¡and¡¡Gerassim¡¡in¡¡the¡¡ravine£»¡¡and¡¡hiding¡¡behind¡¡
the¡¡trees¡¡prepared¡¡to¡¡lie¡¡in¡¡ambush¡¡for¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov¡£¡¡When¡¡it¡¡grew¡¡dark£»¡¡
they¡¡heard¡¡a¡¡whistle¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Gerassim¡¡answered¡¡it¡¡with¡¡a¡¡similar¡¡sound¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡
moment¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov¡¡descended¡¡the¡¡slope£»¡¡the¡¡peasants¡¡surrounded¡¡him¡¡
and¡¡brought¡¡him¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡village¡£¡¡The¡¡next¡¡morning¡¡a¡¡crowd¡¡assembled¡¡
in¡¡¡¡¡¡front¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bailiff's¡¡¡¡cottage¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Ivan¡¡¡¡¡¡Mironov¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡brought¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡and¡¡
subjected¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡close¡¡¡¡¡¡examination¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡¡¡¡¡¡Pelageushkine£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡tall£»¡¡¡¡¡¡stooping¡¡
man¡¡with¡¡long¡¡arms£»¡¡an¡¡aquiline¡¡nose£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡gloomy¡¡face¡¡was¡¡the¡¡first¡¡to¡¡
put¡¡questions¡¡to¡¡him¡£¡¡Stepan¡¡had¡¡terminated¡¡his¡¡military¡¡service£»¡¡and¡¡was¡¡
of¡¡a¡¡solitary¡¡turn¡¡of¡¡mind¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡he¡¡had¡¡separated¡¡from¡¡his¡¡father£»¡¡and¡¡
started¡¡his¡¡own¡¡home£»¡¡he¡¡had¡¡his¡¡first¡¡experience¡¡of¡¡losing¡¡a¡¡horse¡£¡¡After¡¡
that¡¡he¡¡worked¡¡for¡¡two¡¡years¡¡in¡¡the¡¡mines£»¡¡and¡¡made¡¡money¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡buy¡¡
two¡¡horses¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡These¡¡two¡¡had¡¡been¡¡stolen¡¡by¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Tell¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡horses¡¡¡¡¡¡are£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡shouted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡pale¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡fury£»¡¡
alternately¡¡looking¡¡at¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡and¡¡at¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov's¡¡face¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov¡¡denied¡¡his¡¡guilt¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡Stepan¡¡aimed¡¡so¡¡violent¡¡a¡¡blow¡¡
at¡¡his¡¡face¡¡that¡¡he¡¡smashed¡¡his¡¡nose¡¡and¡¡the¡¡blood¡¡spurted¡¡out¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Tell¡¡the¡¡truth£»¡¡I¡¡say£»¡¡or¡¡I'll¡¡kill¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ivan¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mironov¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡kept¡¡¡¡¡¡silent£»¡¡¡¡trying¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡avoid¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡blows¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡stooping¡£¡¡
Stepan¡¡¡¡¡¡hit¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡twice¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡long¡¡¡¡¡¡arm¡£¡¡¡¡Ivan¡¡¡¡¡¡Mironov¡¡¡¡¡¡remained¡¡
silent£»¡¡turning¡¡his¡¡head¡¡backwards¡¡and¡¡forwards¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Beat¡¡him£»¡¡all¡¡of¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡the¡¡bailiff£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡crowd¡¡rushed¡¡
upon¡¡¡¡¡¡Ivan¡¡¡¡¡¡Mironov¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡fell¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡word¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ground£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡
shouted£»¡¨Devils£»¡¡wild¡¡beasts£»¡¡kill¡¡me¡¡if¡¡that's¡¡what¡¡you¡¡want£¡¡¡I¡¡am¡¡not¡¡
afraid¡¡of¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡¡¡¡¡¡seized¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡stone¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡collected¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
purpose£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡a¡¡heavy¡¡blow¡¡smashed¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov's¡¡head¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡30¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡31¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FORGED¡¡COUPONAnd¡¡Other¡¡Stories¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡XV¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IVAN¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MIRONOV'S¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡murderers¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡brought¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡trial£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡¡
Pelageushkine¡¡among¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡a¡¡heavier¡¡charge¡¡to¡¡answer¡¡than¡¡the¡¡
others£»¡¡all¡¡the¡¡witnesses¡¡having¡¡stated¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡he¡¡who¡¡had¡¡smashed¡¡Ivan¡¡
Mironov's¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡stone¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡¡concealed¡¡¡¡¡¡nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡court¡£¡¡
He¡¡contented¡¡himself¡¡with¡¡explaining¡¡that£»¡¡having¡¡been¡¡robbed¡¡of¡¡his¡¡two¡¡
last¡¡horses£»¡¡he¡¡had¡¡informed¡¡the¡¡police¡£¡¡Now¡¡it¡¡was¡¡comparatively¡¡easy¡¡at¡¡
that¡¡time¡¡to¡¡trace¡¡the¡¡horses¡¡with¡¡the¡¡help¡¡of¡¡professional¡¡thieves¡¡among¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡gipsies¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡police¡¡¡¡¡¡officer¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡permit¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡
search¡¡had¡¡been¡¡ordered¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Nothing¡¡else¡¡could¡¡be¡¡done¡¡with¡¡such¡¡a¡¡man¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡has¡¡ruined¡¡us¡¡all¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡why¡¡did¡¡not¡¡the¡¡others¡¡attack¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡you¡¡alone¡¡who¡¡broke¡¡
his¡¡head¡¡open¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡is¡¡false¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡all¡¡fell¡¡upon¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡village¡¡agreed¡¡to¡¡kill¡¡him¡£¡¡
I¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡gave¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡final¡¡¡¡¡¡stroke¡£¡¡What¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡use¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡inflicting¡¡¡¡¡¡unnecessary¡¡
sufferings¡¡on¡¡a¡¡man£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡judges¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡astonished¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡wonderful¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡coolness¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
narrating¡¡the¡¡story¡¡of¡¡his¡¡crimehow¡¡the¡¡peasants¡¡fell¡¡upon¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡given¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡final¡¡¡¡stroke¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡actually¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡
anything¡¡particularly¡¡revolting¡¡in¡¡this¡¡murder¡£¡¡During¡¡his¡¡military¡¡service¡¡
he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡ordered¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡occasion¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡shoot¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡soldier£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
regard¡¡to¡¡Ivan¡¡Mironov£»¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡nothing¡¡loathsome¡¡in¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨A¡¡man¡¡shot¡¡is¡¡a¡¡
dead¡¡¡¡¡¡manthat's¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡day£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡might¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡morrow£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
thought¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡sentenced¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡year's¡¡¡¡¡¡imprisonment£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡
was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡mild¡¡¡¡¡¡punishment¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡done¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡¡¡¡¡peasant's¡¡¡¡¡¡dress¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡
taken¡¡away¡¡from¡¡him¡¡and¡¡put¡¡in¡¡the¡¡prison¡¡stores£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡had¡¡a¡¡prison¡¡suit¡¡
and¡¡felt¡¡boots¡¡given¡¡to¡¡him¡¡instead¡£¡¡Stepan¡¡had¡¡never¡¡had¡¡much¡¡respect¡¡for¡¡
the¡¡authorities£»¡¡but¡¡now¡¡he¡¡became¡¡quite¡¡convinced¡¡that¡¡all¡¡the¡¡chiefs£»¡¡all¡¡
the¡¡fine¡¡folk£»¡¡all¡¡except¡¡the¡¡Czarwho¡¡alone¡¡had¡¡pity¡¡on¡¡the¡¡peasants¡¡and¡¡
was¡¡justall¡¡were¡¡robbers¡¡who¡¡suck¡¡blood¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡people¡£¡¡All¡¡he¡¡heard¡¡
from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡deported¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡convicts£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡sentenced¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡hard¡¡¡¡¡¡labour£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡31¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡32¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FORGED¡¡COUPONAnd¡¡Other¡¡Stories¡¡
whom¡¡he¡¡had¡¡made¡¡friends¡¡in¡¡prisons£»¡¡confirmed¡¡him¡¡in¡¡his¡¡views¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡One¡¡
man¡¡had¡¡been¡¡sentenced¡¡to¡¡hard¡¡labour¡¡for¡¡having¡¡convicted¡¡his¡¡superiors¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡theft£»¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡having¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡struck¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡official¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡unjustly¡¡
confiscated¡¡the¡¡property¡¡of¡¡a¡¡peasant£»¡¡a¡¡third¡¡because¡¡he¡¡forged¡¡bank¡¡notes¡£¡¡
The¡¡well¡to¡do¡people£»¡¡the¡¡merchants£»¡¡might¡¡do¡¡whatever¡¡they¡¡chose¡¡and¡¡
come¡¡to¡¡no¡¡harm£»¡¡but¡¡a¡¡poor¡¡peasant£»¡¡for¡¡a¡¡trumpery¡¡reason¡¡or¡¡for¡¡none¡¡at¡¡
all£»¡¡was¡¡sent¡¡to¡¡prison¡¡to¡¡become¡¡food¡¡for¡¡vermin¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡visits¡¡from¡¡his¡¡wife¡¡while¡¡in¡¡prison¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡life¡¡without¡¡him¡¡was¡¡
miserable¡¡enough£»¡¡when£»¡¡to¡¡make¡¡it¡¡worse£»¡¡her¡¡cottage¡¡was¡¡destroyed¡¡by¡¡
fire¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡completely¡¡¡¡¡¡ruined£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡take¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡begging¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
children¡£¡¡His¡¡wife's¡¡misery¡¡embittered¡¡Stepan¡¡still¡¡more¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡got¡¡on¡¡very¡¡
badly¡¡with¡¡all¡¡the¡¡people¡¡in¡¡the¡¡prison£»¡¡was¡¡rude¡¡to¡¡every¡¡one£»¡¡and¡¡one¡¡day¡¡
he¡¡nearly¡¡killed¡¡the¡¡cook¡¡with¡¡an¡¡axe£»¡¡and¡¡therefore¡¡got¡¡an¡¡additional¡¡year¡¡
in¡¡prison¡£¡¡In¡¡the¡¡course¡¡of¡¡that¡¡year¡¡he¡¡received¡¡the¡¡news¡¡that¡¡his¡¡wife¡¡was¡¡
dead£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡he¡¡had¡¡no¡¡longer¡¡a¡¡home¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡finished¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡prison£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
prison¡¡¡¡¡¡stores£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡dress¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡shelf¡¡¡¡and¡¡
handed¡¡to¡¡him¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Where¡¡am¡¡I¡¡to¡¡go¡¡now£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked¡¡the¡¡prison¡¡officer£»¡¡putting¡¡on¡¡his¡¡
old¡¡dress¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¡home¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡have¡¡no¡¡home¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡shall¡¡have¡¡to¡¡go¡¡on¡¡the¡¡road¡£¡¡Robbery¡¡will¡¡not¡¡be¡¡
a¡¡pleasant¡¡occupation¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨In¡¡that¡¡case¡¡you¡¡will¡¡soon¡¡be¡¡back¡¡here¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡not¡¡so¡¡sure¡¡of¡¡that¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡Stepan¡¡left¡¡the¡¡prison¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nevertheless¡¡he¡¡took¡¡the¡¡road¡¡to¡¡his¡¡own¡¡
place¡£¡¡He¡¡had¡¡nowhere¡¡else¡¡to¡¡turn¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡his¡¡way¡¡he¡¡stopped¡¡for¡¡a¡¡night's¡¡rest¡¡in¡¡an¡¡inn¡¡that¡¡had¡¡a¡¡public¡¡bar¡¡
attached¡¡to¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡inn¡¡was¡¡kept¡¡by¡¡a¡¡fat¡¡man¡¡from¡¡the¡¡town£»¡¡Vladimir£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡prison¡¡
through¡¡ill¡¡luck£»¡¡and¡¡did¡¡not¡¡mind¡¡giving¡¡him¡¡shelter¡¡for¡¡the¡¡night¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡
a¡¡rich¡¡man£»¡¡and¡¡had¡¡persuaded¡¡his¡¡neighbour's¡¡wife¡¡to¡¡leave¡¡her¡¡husband¡¡
and¡¡come¡¡to¡¡live¡¡with¡¡him¡£¡¡She¡¡lived¡¡in¡¡his¡¡house¡¡as¡¡his¡¡wife£»¡¡and¡¡helped¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡32¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡33¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FORGED¡¡COUPONAnd¡¡Other¡¡Stories¡¡
him¡¡in¡¡his¡¡business¡¡as¡¡well¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Stepan¡¡knew¡¡all¡¡about¡¡the¡¡innkeeper's¡¡affairshow¡¡he¡¡had¡¡wronged¡¡the¡¡
peasant£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡woman¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡living¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡¡¡¡her¡¡
husband¡£¡¡He¡¡saw¡¡her¡¡now¡¡sitting¡¡at¡¡the¡¡table¡¡in¡¡a¡¡rich¡¡dress£»¡¡and¡¡looking¡¡
very¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hot¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡drank¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡tea¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡condescension¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡asked¡¡
Stepan¡¡to¡¡have¡¡tea¡¡with¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡other¡¡travellers¡¡were¡¡stopping¡¡in¡¡the¡¡inn¡¡
that¡¡night¡£¡¡Stepan¡¡was¡¡given¡¡a¡¡place¡¡in¡¡the¡¡kitchen¡¡where¡¡he¡¡might¡¡sleep¡£¡¡
Matrenathat¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡woman's¡¡¡¡¡¡namecleared¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡table¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
room¡£¡¡Stepan¡¡¡¡¡¡went¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡lie¡¡down¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡large¡¡stove¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡kitchen£»¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡sleep£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wood¡¡¡¡¡¡splinters¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡stove¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡dry¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡
crackling¡¡under¡¡him£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡tossed¡¡from¡¡side¡¡to¡¡side¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡could¡¡not¡¡help¡¡
thinking¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡host's¡¡¡¡¡¡fat¡¡¡¡¡¡paunch¡¡¡¡¡¡protruding¡¡¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡belt¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡shirt£»¡¡
which¡¡had¡¡lost¡¡its¡¡colour¡¡from¡¡having¡¡been¡¡washed¡¡ever¡¡so¡¡many¡¡times¡£¡¡
Would¡¡not¡¡it¡¡be¡¡a¡¡good¡¡thing¡¡to¡¡make¡¡a¡¡good¡¡clean¡¡incis