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"There are stains, but not very noticeable; all covered with

dirt, and rubbed and already discoloured. No one who had no

suspicion could distinguish anything. Nastasya from a distance

could not have noticed, thank God!" Then with a tremor he broke

the seal of the notice and began reading; he was a long while

reading, before he understood. It was an ordinary summons from

the district police-station to appear that day at half-past nine

at the office of the district superintendent.

"But when has such a thing happened? I never have anything to do

with the police! And why just to-day?" he thought in agonising

bewilderment. "Good God, only get it over soon!"

He was flinging himself on his knees to pray, but broke into

laughter--not at the idea of prayer, but at himself.

He began, hurriedly dressing. "If I'm lost, I am lost, I don't

care! Shall I put the sock on?" he suddenly wondered, "it will

get dustier still and the traces will be gone."