"This is how distinguished people live." The thought went through his head. "It must be very profitable to catch thieves and murderers. I wonder what he gets."
"You can't guess?" repeated the magistrate. "Has Olympiada said nothing to you?"
"No. It's some time since I saw her."
The magistrate threw himself back in his chair, and the corners of his lips went down.
"How long?" he asked.
"I don't know, eight or nine days perhaps."
"Ah! is that so? tell me, did you often meet old Poluektov at her house?"
"The old man who was murdered a little while ago?" asked Ilya, and looked his questioner in the eyes.
"Yes, that's the man."
"I never met him."