“We shall see about that,” said Gold.
“Yes, you shall,” said Steel.
The merchant locked up his stable and set two men to guard it. “Foiled for once, my friend!” he thought.
But that night, by a strange accident, a fire broke out in some empty sheds close to the merchant’s house. The inspector and his men worked manfully. In order to save the house, they even pulled down the wall of the stable and led out the object of dispute, with not a hair of his mane or tail singed. Two hours later, the inspector was caracoling on a grey charger, on his way to receive the thanks of the distinguished visitor for his courage and skill in dealing with the fire. This incident proved to everyone that he bore a charmed life.
§7
The Governor was once leaving a party; and, just as his carriage started, a careless driver, in charge of a small sledge, drove into him, striking the traces between the wheelers and leaders. There was a block for a moment, but the Governor was not prevented from driving home in perfect comfort. Next day he said to the inspector: “Do you know whose coachman ran into me last night? He must be taught better.”
“That coachman will not do it again, Your Excellency,” answered the inspector with a smile; “I have made him smart properly for it.”
“Whose coachman was it?”
“Councillor Kulakov’s, Your Excellency.”
At that moment the old Councillor, whom I found at Vyatka and left there still holding the same office, came into the room.