In the last post Ivan set off for the fair to sell his goods in spite of the bad dream his wife had about his impending trip.

When Ivan had traveled halfway to the fair, he met a merchant whom he knew, and they put up at the same inn for the night. They had some tea together, and then went to bed in adjoining rooms.

It was not Ivan’s habit to sleep late, and, wishing to travel while it was still cool, he woke his driver before dawn, and told him to hitch up the horses. Then Ivan paid his bill and continued his journey.

When he had gone about twenty-five miles, he stopped at an inn for the horses to be fed. Ivan rested awhile then stepped out onto the porch, ordered some tea, and got out his guitar and began to play.

Suddenly a carriage pulled by three horses drove up with tinkling bells. An official stepped out of the carriage followed by two soldiers. He came to Ivan and began to question him, asking him who he was and where he came from. Ivan answered him fully and said, “Won’t you have some tea with me?” But the official kept up the questioning asking him, “Where did you spend last night? Were you alone or with a fellow merchant? Did you see the other merchant this morning? Why did you leave the inn before dawn?”

Ivan wondered why he was asked all these questions, but he described all that had happened and then added, “Why do you question me as if I were a thief or a robber? I am traveling on business of my own, and there is no need to question me.”

Then the official, calling the soldiers, said, “I am the police officer of this district, and I question you because the merchant with whom you spent last night has been found with his throat cut. We must search your things.”

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Come back for Thursday’s post to see what the police officer finds!

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Story adapted from “God Sees the Truth, But Waits” in Walk in the Light and Twenty-Three Tales by Leo Tolstoy