There I am sure to find out something.” To tell the truth, I went so far as to call Madgie to me, and said to her: “Look here, Madgie; here we are alone. If you like I shall shut the door, too, so that no one shall see us talking. Tell me all you know about your mistress: what she is and how she behaves. I swear I won’t tell any one.” But the mischievous beast put her tail between her legs, doubled herself up, and sneaked away to the door as though she hadn’t heard. I have long suspected dogs of being far more intelligent than human beings; I was convinced that they had the gift of speech, only they are singularly obstinate. They are great politicians: they notice everything, one’s every step. No, whatever happens, I will go to-morrow to Zverkov’s house, I will question Fidèle, and, if possible, I will seize all the letters she has received from Madgie.

NOVEMBER 12

AT two P.M. I set out determined to see Fidèle and question her. I can’t endure cabbage, the smell of which issues from every wretched grocer’s shop in Meschanskaya Street; besides, there came such a hellish stench from under every gateway that I hurried on as fast as I could, holding my nose. To add to the rest, the dirty artisans let off such a lot of soot and smoke from their workshops that it becomes impossible for a gentleman to take his walks in that neighborhood. When I climbed up to the seventh floor and rang the bell, a girl came out to open the door, not at all bad-looking, with little freckles. I recognized her: it was the one whom I had seen in company of the old lady. She got a little red, and I at once saw what it was—it’s a young man you want, my dear. “What do you want?” she asked. “I must have a few words with your dog.” The girl was stupid. I saw at once that she was stupid. At that moment the dog ran in, barking. I tried to get hold of her, but the nasty animal almost bit my nose. However, I caught sight of her basket in the corner. That was just what I wanted! I went up to it, rummaged in the straw, and to my great delight extracted a bundle of small slips of paper. The wretched dog, seeing this, began by biting me in the calf; when she realized that I had taken her letters she whined and fawned on me, but I said: “No, my dear, good-bye,” and hastened away. I expect the girl must have taken me for a madman, as she was terribly frightened. When I got home my first intention was to set to work at once to take stock of the letters, for I can’t see very well by candle-light. But Mavra had taken it into her head to wash the floor. These stupid Finnish women are apt to have fits of cleanliness at the wrong time. So I went out to walk about and think over the occurrence. Now at last I could find out all those acts and thoughts, and all the hidden springs! Now at last I could get to the bottom of it! These letters would reveal everything. Dogs are intelligent people, they understand all about politic relations, and so no doubt I shall find there everything about our Director: the portrait and all the doings of that worthy. There will be something in them, too, about her who . .