now the most important person. And he could ask at the same time
whether she had seen the keys.

The doctor went to the rooms of the general's wife. She was lying
down, suffering severely, but she came out to him. "What words was
he to use? It was all the same to her. 'With deep regret,' 'with
heartfelt sorrow,' what did she care? The keys? What keys? No!
she had not seen any keys, and did not know where they were. But
why should he be disturbed about them? The servants were
trustworthy; nothing would go astray."

"Yes, but we must have them ready for the police. They will come
in a few minutes, to seal up the dead man's papers!"

"To seal up the papers? Why?"

"That is the law. So that everything should be intact, until after
the last will and testament of the deceased has been read,
according to his wishes."

General Nazimoff's wife paled perceptibly. She knew nothing of
such an obstacle, and had not expected it. The doctor was too busy
to notice her pallor.

"Very well; I shall write the announcement at once, and send it to
the newspapers. I suppose 'Novoe Vremya' and 'Novosti' will be
enough?"

"Do as you think best. Write it here, in my room. Here is
everything you require; pens, paper. Write, and then read it to