Returning to the house he got up on the stove to rest, and while there he took out the envelope which contained the money and looked long and earnestly at it.

He could not read, but asked one of those present to tell him what the writing on the envelope meant.

It was simply the address and the announcement that it contained fifteen hundred rubles.
The envelope was made of common paper and was sealed with dark-brown sealing wax.

There was one large seal in the centre and four smaller ones at the corners.

Polikey continued to examine it carefully, even inserting his finger till he touched the crisp notes.