Chapter 9: Let Purity Be Treason Summary

Chapter nine begins with Prosecutor Rachevsky reading a newspaper clipping from a European newspaper. It tells of the upcoming trials in the case of Comrade Tulayev. This is the beginning of Rachevsky's trouble.

He is granted an audience with the Chief that lasts three minutes and forty seconds. When he returns to his office, he receives a call from Gordeyev asking why he let the story leak to a European paper. Rachevsky tries to pass the blame to Popov.

Rachevsky spends a drunken night in his government apartment near his office, and when he arrives at work the next day, Popov informs him that he has been relieved of his duties as prosecutor. His new assignment is Director of the Tourist Bureau. Upon hearing this news, Rachevsky turns strangely giddy. He buys a bottle of...