Good evening. Welcome to the Just Sleep podcast. I'm Tasia, your host.

Every week, I will read you an old story to help you relax, put the stressful day behind you,

and drift off to sleep.

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Tonight, I will be reading a short story by Anton Chekhov,

The Safety Match.

So lie down, close your eyes, and let me read you a story.

Part 1 On the morning of October 6, 1885, a well-dressed young man presented himself at the office of the police superintendent of the 2nd Division of the S-district

and announced that his employer, a retired coronet of the guards called Mark Ivanovich Klausov,

had been murdered. The young man was pale and extremely agitated as he made this announcement. His hands trembled

and there was a look of horror in his eyes. To whom have I the honour of speaking, the

superintendent asked him. Sirekov, Klausov-Steward, agricultural and engineering expert.

The police superintendent on reaching the spot with Sarykov and the necessary witnesses

found the position as follows.

Masses of people were crowding about the lodge in which Klausov lived.

The news of the event had flown round the neighborhood with the

rapidity of lightning, and thanks to its being a holiday, the people were flocking to the lodge

from all the neighboring villages. There was a regular hubbub of talk. Pale and tearful faces were to be

seen here and there. The door into Klausov's bedroom was found to be locked.

...