The comedy is not a caricature, but it is a faithful society portrait and satire, with intense condensation of character, and traits which are not only truly and typically Russian, but come within the ken of all fair-minded persons of other lands.

The scene opens in a room at the house of the Chief of Police in a provincial town.

Those present are: The Chief himself, the Curator of the Board of Benevolent Institutions, the Superintendent of Schools, the Judge, the Commissioner of Police, the Doctor, and two policemen.
CHIEF .-- I have summoned you hither, gentlemen, in order to communicate to you an unpleasant piece of news.

An Inspector is coming.
JUDGE .-- What! An Inspector?
CHIEF .-- An Inspector from St.Petersburg, incognito, and with secret orders, to boot.
JUDGE .-- I thought so! CURATOR .-- If there's not trouble, I'm mistaken! CHIEF .-- I have warned you, gentlemen.

See to it! I have made some arrangements in my own department, and I advise you to do the same.