The Brothers Karamazov: Part 3: Book 9, Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

During the interrogation of the witnesses, the investigators focus all of their attention on the three thousand roubles and whether Dmitri had three thousand or fifteen hundred during his first party in Mokroye, a month ago, and whether it was three thousand or fifteen hundred that he had yesterday. Trifon Borisich is the first to be questioned. He testifies firmly and “without hesitation” that it was three thousand that Dmitri spent a month ago and that Dmitri himself claimed to have the sum. In response, Dmitri said that he probably had no more than five hundred but never counted. As for yesterday’s amount, Trifon Borisich says that Dmitri announced, as soon as he dismounted from his carriage, that he had three thousand. He also says that Dmitri declared that he’d spent six thousand altogether at the inn. Dmitri denies this. The peasants who were present the night before also back Trifon Borisich’s testimony.

Next, Pyotr Fomich Kalganov arrives. He admits that he, too, heard about the six thousand. However, he didn’t really know how much money Dmitri had. He also testifies that the panie had cheated at cards. Once they were banished, Dmitri’s relations with Grushenka improved. From Pyotr Fomich, they learn the details of Dmitri’s “romance.”

After this, the panie are interrogated. They say that they went to their room but didn’t sleep all night. Pan Mussyalovich, Grushenka’s ex-fiancé, refers to Dmitri as “a scoundrel.” He also tells them about Dmitri’s attempt to bribe the man to go away. Pan Mussyalovich recalls that Dmitri said that the remainder of the three thousand roubles he would give were in his town. Ippolit Kirillovich thinks that some of the money may have been in town, or even in Mokroye, which explains why only eight hundred were found on Dmitri. This is the only evidence, so far, that works out in Dmitri’s favor.

Then, Maximov is called in. He decisively testifies that, when he borrowed ten roubles from Dmitri, he saw twenty thousand appear in Dmitri’s hands. Nikolai Parfenovich wonders if Maximov has ever seen twenty thousand roubles before. They then dismiss him and bring in Grushenka. The investigators worry about the effect her appearance with have on Dmitri, but he assures them that “there would be no disturbance.” They ask what her relations have been with Dmitri. She says that, for the past month, they’ve been acquaintances. She liked him but had not been in love with him and was only tempting him with her “vile wickedness.” She didn’t really care that much for him or Fyodor, she admits.

Nikolai Parfenovich asks her if three thousand roubles were spent in Mokroye last month, and she confirms that they were. However, she claims that she only heard Dmitri tell others about the sum. She confirms, too, that she heard him mention the number many times. Ippolit Kirillovich is very pleased to hear this evidence. She also says that she knew the money came from Katerina Ivanovna.

Nikolai Parfenovich then asks if Dmitri ever mentioned a wish to kill his father. Grushenka exclaims that he has, “several times, always in a fit of anger.” She never believed, though, that he’d do it. She trusted too much in Dmitri’s nobility. Dmitri requests a word with Grushenka in the authorities’ presence, and they grant it. He declares that he’s not guilty of murdering his father. In regard to yesterday’s money, she says she doesn’t know how much Dmitri had. He also had not “stolen” yesterday’s money from Katerina Ivanovna. Grushenka is then dismissed.