°®°®Ð¡ËµÍø > ÆäËûµç×ÓÊé > the forged coupon() >

µÚ27ÕÂ

the forged coupon()-µÚ27ÕÂ

С˵£º the forged coupon() ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ3500×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




measures¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡regard¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡persecution¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡religious¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡118¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡119¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FORGED¡¡COUPONAnd¡¡Other¡¡Stories¡¡



dissenters£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡also¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡providing¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡continuance¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡martial¡¡¡¡¡¡law¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡

those¡¡provinces¡¡where¡¡it¡¡had¡¡already¡¡been¡¡established¡£¡¡With¡¡the¡¡Minister¡¡

of¡¡War¡¡he¡¡arranged¡¡for¡¡the¡¡nomination¡¡of¡¡a¡¡new¡¡Corps¡¡Commander¡¡for¡¡the¡¡

raising¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡recruits£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡punishment¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡breach¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡discipline¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡These¡¡

things¡¡kept¡¡him¡¡occupied¡¡till¡¡dinner¡­time£»¡¡and¡¡even¡¡then¡¡his¡¡freedom¡¡was¡¡

not¡¡complete¡£¡¡A¡¡number¡¡of¡¡high¡¡officials¡¡had¡¡been¡¡invited¡¡to¡¡dinner£»¡¡and¡¡

he¡¡was¡¡obliged¡¡to¡¡talk¡¡to¡¡them£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡in¡¡the¡¡way¡¡he¡¡felt¡¡disposed¡¡to¡¡do£»¡¡but¡¡

according¡¡to¡¡what¡¡he¡¡was¡¡expected¡¡to¡¡say¡£¡¡At¡¡last¡¡the¡¡tiresome¡¡dinner¡¡was¡¡

over£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡guests¡¡departed¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡young¡¡Tsar¡¡heaved¡¡a¡¡sigh¡¡of¡¡relief£»¡¡stretched¡¡himself¡¡and¡¡retired¡¡to¡¡

his¡¡apartments¡¡to¡¡take¡¡off¡¡his¡¡uniform¡¡¡¡with¡¡the¡¡decorations¡¡on¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

don¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡jacket¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡used¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡wear¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡accession¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡throne¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡

young¡¡wife¡¡had¡¡also¡¡retired¡¡to¡¡take¡¡off¡¡her¡¡dinner¡­dress£»¡¡remarking¡¡that¡¡she¡¡

would¡¡join¡¡him¡¡presently¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡row¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡footmen¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡standing¡¡¡¡¡¡erect¡¡

before¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡reached¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡room£»¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡thrown¡¡¡¡¡¡off¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡heavy¡¡

uniform¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡jacket£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡Tsar¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡glad¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡free¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡

work£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡heart¡¡was¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡a¡¡tender¡¡emotion¡¡which¡¡sprang¡¡from¡¡

the¡¡consciousness¡¡of¡¡his¡¡freedom£»¡¡of¡¡his¡¡joyous£»¡¡robust¡¡young¡¡life£»¡¡and¡¡of¡¡

his¡¡¡¡¡¡love¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡threw¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sofa£»¡¡¡¡¡¡stretched¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡legs¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡

leaned¡¡his¡¡head¡¡on¡¡his¡¡hand£»¡¡fixed¡¡his¡¡gaze¡¡on¡¡the¡¡dull¡¡glass¡¡shade¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

lamp£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡sensation¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡experienced¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡since¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

childhood£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡pleasure¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡going¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡sleep£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡drowsiness¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡

irresistible¡¡suddenly¡¡came¡¡over¡¡him¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨My¡¡wife¡¡will¡¡be¡¡here¡¡presently¡¡and¡¡will¡¡find¡¡me¡¡asleep¡£¡¡No£»¡¡I¡¡must¡¡

not¡¡go¡¡to¡¡sleep£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡thought¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡let¡¡his¡¡elbow¡¡drop¡¡down£»¡¡laid¡¡his¡¡cheek¡¡

in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡palm¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡hand£»¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡comfortable£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡utterly¡¡

happy¡¡that¡¡he¡¡only¡¡felt¡¡a¡¡desire¡¡not¡¡to¡¡be¡¡aroused¡¡from¡¡this¡¡delightful¡¡state¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡then¡¡what¡¡happens¡¡to¡¡all¡¡of¡¡us¡¡every¡¡day¡¡happened¡¡to¡¡him¡¡he¡¡fell¡¡

asleep¡¡without¡¡knowing¡¡himself¡¡when¡¡or¡¡how¡£¡¡He¡¡passed¡¡from¡¡one¡¡state¡¡

into¡¡another¡¡without¡¡his¡¡will¡¡having¡¡any¡¡share¡¡in¡¡it£»¡¡without¡¡even¡¡desiring¡¡

it£»¡¡and¡¡without¡¡regretting¡¡the¡¡state¡¡out¡¡of¡¡which¡¡he¡¡had¡¡passed¡£¡¡He¡¡fell¡¡into¡¡

a¡¡¡¡¡¡heavy¡¡¡¡¡¡sleep¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡death¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡How¡¡¡¡¡¡long¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡slept¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡119¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡120¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FORGED¡¡COUPONAnd¡¡Other¡¡Stories¡¡



know£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡was¡¡suddenly¡¡aroused¡¡by¡¡the¡¡soft¡¡touch¡¡of¡¡a¡¡hand¡¡upon¡¡his¡¡

shoulder¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡is¡¡my¡¡darling£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡she£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡thought¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡a¡¡shame¡¡to¡¡have¡¡dozed¡¡

off£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡£¡¡¡¡Before¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡wide¡¡¡¡¡¡open¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

blinking¡¡at¡¡the¡¡¡¡light£»¡¡she£»¡¡¡¡that¡¡charming¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡beautiful¡¡creature¡¡whom¡¡¡¡he¡¡

was¡¡expecting£»¡¡did¡¡not¡¡stand£»¡¡but¡¡HE¡¡stood¡£¡¡Who¡¡HE¡¡was¡¡the¡¡young¡¡Tsar¡¡

did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡know£»¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡somehow¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡strike¡¡him¡¡¡¡that¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡stranger¡¡

whom¡¡he¡¡had¡¡never¡¡seen¡¡before¡£¡¡It¡¡seemed¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡had¡¡known¡¡him¡¡for¡¡a¡¡

long¡¡time¡¡and¡¡was¡¡fond¡¡of¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡trusted¡¡him¡¡as¡¡he¡¡would¡¡trust¡¡

himself¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡expected¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡beloved¡¡¡¡¡¡wife£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡stead¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡

whom¡¡he¡¡had¡¡never¡¡seen¡¡before¡¡had¡¡come¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yet¡¡to¡¡the¡¡young¡¡Tsar£»¡¡who¡¡

was¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡feeling¡¡¡¡¡¡regret¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡astonishment£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡

natural£»¡¡but¡¡also¡¡a¡¡necessary¡¡thing¡¡to¡¡happen¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Come£¡¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡stranger¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡let¡¡us¡¡go£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡young¡¡Tsar£»¡¡not¡¡knowing¡¡where¡¡he¡¡was¡¡to¡¡go£»¡¡

but¡¡quite¡¡aware¡¡that¡¡he¡¡could¡¡not¡¡help¡¡submitting¡¡to¡¡the¡¡command¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

stranger¡£¡¡¡¨But¡¡how¡¡shall¡¡we¡¡go£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨In¡¡this¡¡way¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡stranger¡¡¡¡¡¡laid¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Tsar's¡¡¡¡¡¡head£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Tsar¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡a¡¡

moment¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lost¡¡¡¡consciousness¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡tell¡¡¡¡whether¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡

unconscious¡¡a¡¡long¡¡or¡¡a¡¡short¡¡time£»¡¡but¡¡when¡¡he¡¡recovered¡¡his¡¡senses¡¡he¡¡

found¡¡himself¡¡in¡¡a¡¡strange¡¡place¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡first¡¡thing¡¡he¡¡was¡¡aware¡¡of¡¡was¡¡a¡¡

strong¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡stifling¡¡¡¡¡¡smell¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡sewage¡£¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

broad¡¡passage¡¡lit¡¡by¡¡the¡¡red¡¡glow¡¡of¡¡two¡¡dim¡¡lamps¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Running¡¡along¡¡one¡¡

side¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡passage¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡thick¡¡¡¡¡¡wall¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡windows¡¡¡¡¡¡protected¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡iron¡¡

gratings¡£¡¡On¡¡the¡¡other¡¡side¡¡were¡¡doors¡¡secured¡¡with¡¡locks¡£¡¡In¡¡the¡¡passage¡¡

stood¡¡a¡¡soldier£»¡¡¡¡leaning¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡against¡¡the¡¡¡¡wall£»¡¡asleep¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Through¡¡the¡¡doors¡¡

the¡¡young¡¡Tsar¡¡heard¡¡the¡¡muffled¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡living¡¡human¡¡beings£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡of¡¡

one¡¡alone£»¡¡but¡¡of¡¡many¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡HE¡¡was¡¡standing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡side¡¡of¡¡the¡¡young¡¡Tsar£»¡¡

and¡¡¡¡¡¡pressing¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡shoulder¡¡slightly¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡soft¡¡¡¡¡¡hand£»¡¡¡¡¡¡pushed¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

first¡¡door£»¡¡¡¡¡¡unmindful¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡sentry¡£¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡Tsar¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡

otherwise¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡yield£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡approached¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡amazement¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡120¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡121¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FORGED¡¡COUPONAnd¡¡Other¡¡Stories¡¡



sentry¡¡looked¡¡straight¡¡at¡¡him£»¡¡evidently¡¡without¡¡seeing¡¡him£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡neither¡¡

straightened¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡nor¡¡¡¡¡¡saluted£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡yawned¡¡¡¡¡¡loudly¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡¡¡lifting¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

hand£»¡¡scratched¡¡the¡¡back¡¡of¡¡his¡¡neck¡£¡¡The¡¡door¡¡had¡¡a¡¡small¡¡hole£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡

obedience¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡pressure¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡pushed¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡Tsar¡¡

approached¡¡a¡¡step¡¡nearer¡¡and¡¡put¡¡his¡¡eye¡¡to¡¡the¡¡small¡¡opening¡£¡¡Close¡¡to¡¡the¡¡

door£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡foul¡¡¡¡¡¡smell¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡stifled¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡stronger£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡Tsar¡¡

hesitated¡¡to¡¡go¡¡nearer£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡hand¡¡pushed¡¡him¡¡on¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡leaned¡¡forward£»¡¡

put¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡eye¡¡¡¡¡¡close¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡opening£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡suddenly¡¡¡¡¡¡ceased¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡perceive¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

odour¡£¡¡The¡¡¡¡sight¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡deadened¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡sense¡¡¡¡of¡¡smell¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡large¡¡¡¡room£»¡¡

about¡¡ten¡¡yards¡¡long¡¡and¡¡six¡¡yards¡¡wide£»¡¡there¡¡walked¡¡unceasingly¡¡from¡¡

one¡¡end¡¡to¡¡the¡¡other£»¡¡six¡¡men¡¡in¡¡long¡¡grey¡¡coats£»¡¡some¡¡in¡¡felt¡¡boots£»¡¡some¡¡

barefoot¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡were¡¡over¡¡twenty¡¡men¡¡in¡¡all¡¡in¡¡the¡¡room£»¡¡but¡¡in¡¡that¡¡first¡¡

moment¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡Tsar¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡walking¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡quick£»¡¡

even£»¡¡¡¡¡¡silent¡¡¡¡¡¡steps¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡horrid¡¡¡¡¡¡sight¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡watch¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡continual£»¡¡¡¡¡¡quick£»¡¡

aimless¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡movements¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡overtook¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡each¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡other£»¡¡

turning¡¡sharply¡¡when¡¡they¡¡reached¡¡the¡¡wall£»¡¡never¡¡looking¡¡at¡¡one¡¡another£»¡¡

and¡¡evidently¡¡concentrated¡¡each¡¡on¡¡his¡¡own¡¡thoughts¡£¡¡The¡¡young¡¡Tsar¡¡had¡¡

observed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡similar¡¡¡¡¡¡sight¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡watching¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡tiger¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡

menagerie¡¡pacing¡¡rapidly¡¡with¡¡noiseless¡¡tread¡¡from¡¡one¡¡end¡¡of¡¡his¡¡cage¡¡to¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡other£»¡¡¡¡¡¡waving¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡tail£»¡¡¡¡¡¡silently¡¡¡¡¡¡turning¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡reached¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bars£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

looking¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡nobody¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Of¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡one£»¡¡¡¡¡¡apparently¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡peasant£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡

curly¡¡hair£»¡¡would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡handsome¡¡were¡¡it¡¡not¡¡for¡¡the¡¡unnatural¡¡pallor¡¡

of¡¡his¡¡face£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡concentrated£»¡¡wicked£»¡¡scarcely¡¡human£»¡¡look¡¡in¡¡his¡¡eyes¡£¡¡

Another¡¡was¡¡a¡¡Jew£»¡¡hairy¡¡and¡¡gloomy¡£¡¡The¡¡third¡¡was¡¡a¡¡lean¡¡old¡¡man£»¡¡bald£»¡¡

with¡¡a¡¡beard¡¡that¡¡had¡¡been¡¡shaven¡¡and¡¡had¡¡since¡¡grown¡¡like¡¡bristles¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡

fourth¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡extraordinarily¡¡¡¡¡¡heavily¡¡¡¡¡¡built£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡well¡­developed¡¡¡¡¡¡muscles£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

low¡¡receding¡¡forehead¡¡and¡¡a¡¡flat¡¡nose¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡fifth¡¡was¡¡hardly¡¡more¡¡than¡¡a¡¡

boy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡long£»¡¡¡¡¡¡thin£»¡¡¡¡¡¡obviously¡¡¡¡¡¡consumptive¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡sixth¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡small¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡dark£»¡¡

with¡¡nervous£»¡¡convulsive¡¡movements¡£¡¡He¡¡walked¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡were¡¡skipping£»¡¡

and¡¡¡¡¡¡muttered¡¡¡¡¡¡continuously¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡walking¡¡¡¡¡¡rapidly¡¡

backwards¡¡and¡¡forwards¡¡past¡¡the¡¡hole¡¡through¡¡which¡¡the¡¡young¡¡Tsar¡¡was¡¡

looking¡£¡¡He¡¡watched¡¡their¡¡faces¡¡and¡¡their¡¡gait¡¡with¡¡keen¡¡interest¡£¡¡Having¡¡

examined¡¡them¡¡closely£»¡¡he¡¡presently¡¡became¡¡aware¡¡of¡¡a¡¡number¡¡of¡¡other¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡121¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡122¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FORGED¡¡COUPONAnd¡¡Other¡¡Stories¡¡



men¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡room£»¡¡¡¡¡¡standing¡¡¡¡¡¡round£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡lying¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡shelf¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡

served¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Standing¡¡¡¡¡¡close¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡also¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡pail¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡

caused¡¡such¡¡an¡¡unbearable¡¡stench¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡the¡¡shelf¡¡about¡¡ten¡¡men£»¡¡entirely¡¡

covered¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡cloaks£»¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡sleeping¡£¡¡A¡¡¡¡red¡­haired¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡huge¡¡

beard¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sitting¡¡¡¡sideways¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡shelf£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡shirt¡¡¡¡off¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡

examining¡¡it£»¡¡lifting¡¡it¡¡up¡¡to¡¡the¡¡light£»¡¡and¡¡evidently¡¡catching¡¡the¡¡vermin¡¡on¡¡

it¡£¡¡Another¡¡¡¡¡¡man£»¡¡¡¡¡¡aged¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡white¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡snow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡profile¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡

towards¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡praying£»¡¡¡¡¡¡crossing¡¡¡¡¡¡himself£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡bowing¡¡¡¡¡¡low£»¡¡

apparently¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡absorbed¡¡in¡¡his¡¡devotions¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡oblivious¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡around¡¡

him¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡seethis¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡prison£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tsar¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨They¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡certainly¡¡

deserve¡¡¡¡¡¡pity¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡dreadful¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡cannot¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡helped¡£¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡

own¡¡fault¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡this¡¡thought¡¡had¡¡hardly¡¡come¡¡into¡¡his¡¡head¡¡before¡¡HE£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡

his¡¡guide£»¡¡replied¡¡to¡¡it¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨They¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡¡¡lock¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡key¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡order¡£¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡

been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sentenced¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡name¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡meriting¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡present¡¡

condition¡¡which¡¡is¡¡due¡¡to¡¡your¡¡human¡¡judgment£»¡¡the¡¡greater¡¡part¡¡of¡¡them¡¡

are¡¡far¡¡better¡¡than¡¡you¡¡or¡¡those¡¡who¡¡were¡¡their¡¡judges¡¡and¡¡who¡¡keep¡¡them¡¡

here¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡one¡¨¡¡he¡¡pointed¡¡to¡¡the¡¡handsome£»¡¡curly¡­headed¡¡fellow¡¨is¡¡a¡¡

murderer¡£¡¡I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡consider¡¡him¡¡more¡¡guilty¡¡than¡¡those¡¡who¡¡kill¡¡in¡¡war¡¡or¡¡

in¡¡duelling£»¡¡and¡¡are¡¡rewarded¡¡for¡¡their¡¡deeds¡£¡¡He¡¡had¡¡neither¡¡education¡¡nor¡¡

moral¡¡guidance£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡life¡¡had¡¡been¡¡cast¡¡among¡¡thieves¡¡and¡¡drunkards¡£¡¡

This¡¡¡¡¡¡lessens¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡guilt£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡done¡¡¡¡¡¡wrong£»¡¡¡¡¡¡nevertheless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

murderer¡£¡¡He¡¡killed¡¡a¡¡merchant£»¡¡to¡¡rob¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡other¡¡man£»¡¡the¡¡Jew£»¡¡is¡¡a¡¡

thief£»¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡gang¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡thieves¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡That¡¡¡¡¡¡uncommonly¡¡¡¡¡¡strong¡¡¡¡¡¡fellow¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

horse¡­stealer£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡guilty¡¡¡¡also£»¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡compared¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡others¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡culpable¡£¡¡

Look£¡¡¨and¡¡suddenly¡¡the¡¡young¡¡Tsar¡¡found¡¡himself¡¡in¡¡an¡¡open¡¡field¡¡on¡¡a¡¡

vast¡¡frontier¡£¡¡On¡¡the¡¡right¡¡were¡¡potato¡¡fields£»¡¡the¡¡plants¡¡had¡¡been¡¡rooted¡¡

out£»¡¡and¡¡were¡¡lying¡¡in¡¡heaps£»¡¡blackened¡¡by¡¡the¡¡frost£»¡¡in¡¡alternate¡¡streaks¡¡

were¡¡rows¡¡of¡¡winter¡¡corn¡£¡¡In¡¡t

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨5£© ²È£¨4£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ