Student Epiphanov, of the second class, brought with him to school that morning a pearl-handled penknife and a silver rouble, and now these were nowhere to be found. He raised a cry and went to complain.
An investigation was started.
Dutikov reported that he had seen Shura Dolinin going through the pockets of some one’s overcoat. Shura was called into the cabinet of the director.
Sergey Ivanovich, the director, fixed his suspicious eyes on the lad. The old tutor, who saw an excellent chance of catching a thief, and incidentally of balancing accounts somewhat for tricks that had been played upon him by the mischievous lads, experienced malicious pleasure and pounced upon the confused, flushing lad with questions.
“Why were you in the dressing-room during prayer?”
“Before prayer, Sergey Ivanovich,” whimpered Shura in a voice squeaky from fright.
“Very well, before prayer,” said the director with irony in his voice. “What I want to know is why were you there?”
Shura explained.
The director continued: “Very well, after a book. But why in some one else’s pocket?”
“It was a mistake,” said Shura, distressed.