Russian Professor

(A Talkie for English-speakers wanting to learn Russian.) Viktor Dvorzhetskiy is a shy, soft-spoken Professor of psychology. His idea of a fun time is spending a cozy evening in front of a fireplace with a cup of tea and a good book. Sadly, his peaceful life and introverted habits have been put on hold by the passing of his elderly mother. In her will, she bequeathed him all of her assets, as well as an old hope chest. In the chest is a cryptic old book and a signet ring. They appear to be accoutrements from some secret society. Now Professor Viktor Dvorzhetskiy needs help in solving this mystery: what are these items and why did his mother want him to have them?