“Andwhatiftherehasbeenasearchalready？WhatifIfindtheminmyroom？”
Butherewashisroom。Nothingandnooneinit。Noonehadpeepedin。EvenNastasyahadnottouchedit。Butheavens！howcouldhehaveleftallthosethingsinthehole？
Herushedtothecorner，slippedhishandunderthepaper，pulledthethingsoutandlinedhispocketswiththem。Therewereeightarticlesinall:twolittleboxeswithear-ringsorsomethingofthesort，hehardlylookedtosee；thenfoursmallleathercases。Therewasachain，too，merelywrappedinnewspaperandsomethingelseinnewspaper，thatlookedlikeadecoration。…Heputthemallinthedifferentpocketsofhisovercoat，andtheremainingpocketofhistrousers，tryingtoconcealthemasmuchaspossible。Hetookthepurse，too。Thenhewentoutofhisroom，leavingthedooropen。Hewalkedquicklyandresolutely，andthoughhefeltshattered，hehadhissensesabouthim。Hewasafraidofpursuit，hewasafraidthatinanotherhalf-hour，anotherquarterofanhourperhaps，instructionswouldbeissuedforhispursuit，andsoatallcosts，hemusthidealltracesbeforethen。Hemustcleareverythingupwhilehestillhadsomestrength，somereasoningpowerlefthim。…Wherewashetogo？
Thathadlongbeensettled:“Flingthemintothecanal，andalltraceshiddeninthewater，thethingwouldbeatanend。”Sohehaddecidedinthenightofhisdeliriumwhenseveraltimeshehadhadtheimpulsetogetupandgoaway，tomakehaste，andgetridofitall。Buttogetridofit，turnedouttobeaverydifficulttask。HewanderedalongthebankoftheEkaterininskyCanalforhalfanhourormoreandlookedseveraltimesatthestepsrunningdowntothewater，buthecouldnotthinkofcarryingouthisplan；eitherraftsstoodatthesteps’edge，andwomenwerewashingclothesonthem，orboatsweremooredthere，andpeoplewereswarmingeverywhere。Moreoverhecouldbeseenandnoticedfromthebanksonallsides；itwouldlooksuspiciousforamantogodownonpurpose，stop，andthrowsomethingintothewater。Andwhatiftheboxesweretofloatinsteadofsinking？Andofcoursetheywould。Evenasitwas，everyonehemetseemedtostareandlookround，asiftheyhadnothingtodobuttowatchhim。“Whyisit，orcanitbemyfancy？”hethought。
AtlastthethoughtstruckhimthatitmightbebettertogototheNeva。Therewerenotsomanypeoplethere，hewouldbelessobserved，anditwouldbemoreconvenientineveryway，aboveallitwasfurtheroff。Hewonderedhowhecouldhavebeenwanderingforagoodhalf-hour，worriedandanxiousinthisdangerouspastwithoutthinkingofitbefore。Andthathalf-hourhehadlostoveranirrationalplan，simplybecausehehadthoughtofitindelirium！Hehadbecomeextremelyabsentandforgetfulandhewasawareofit。Hecertainlymustmakehaste。
HewalkedtowardstheNevaalongV——Prospect，butonthewayanotherideastruckhim。“WhytotheNeva？Woulditnotbebettertogosomewherefaroff，totheIslandsagain，andtherehidethethingsinsomesolitaryplace，inawoodorunderabush，andmarkthespotperhaps？”Andthoughhefeltincapableofclearjudgment，theideaseemedtohimasoundone。Buthewasnotdestinedtogothere。ForcomingoutofV——Prospecttowardsthesquare，hesawontheleftapassageleadingbetweentwoblankwallstoacourtyard。Ontherighthand，theblankunwhitewashedwallofafour-storiedhousestretchedfarintothecourt；ontheleft，awoodenhoardingranparallelwithitfortwentypacesintothecourt，andthenturnedsharplytotheleft。Herewasadesertedfenced-offplacewhererubbishofdifferentsortswaslying。Attheendofthecourt，thecornerofalow，smutty，stoneshed，apparentlypartofsomeworkshop，peepedfrombehindthehoarding。Itwasprobablyacarriagebuilder’sorcarpenter’sshed；thewholeplacefromtheentrancewasblackwithcoaldust。Herewouldbetheplacetothrowit，hethought。Notseeinganyoneintheyard，heslippedin，andatoncesawnearthegateasink，suchasisoftenputinyardswheretherearemanyworkmenorcab-drivers；andonthehoardingabovehadbeenscribbledinchalkthetime-honouredwitticism，“Standingherestrictlyforbidden。”Thiswasallthebetter，fortherewouldbenothingsuspiciousabouthisgoingin。“HereIcouldthrowitallinaheapandgetaway！”
Lookingroundoncemore，withhishandalreadyinhispocket，henoticedagainsttheouterwall，betweentheentranceandthesink，abigunhewnstone，weighingperhapssixtypounds。Theothersideofthewallwasastreet。Hecouldhearpassers-by，alwaysnumerousinthatpart，buthecouldnotbeseenfromtheentrance，unlesssomeonecameinfromthestreet，whichmightwellhappenindeed，sotherewasneedofhaste。
Hebentdownoverthestone，seizedthetopofitfirmlyinbothhands，andusingallhisstrengthturneditover。Underthestonewasasmallhollowintheground，andheimmediatelyemptiedhispocketintoit。Thepurselayatthetop，andyetthehollowwasnotfilledup。Thenheseizedthestoneagainandwithonetwistturneditback，sothatitwasinthesamepositionagain，thoughitstoodaverylittlehigher。Buthescrapedtheearthaboutitandpresseditattheedgeswithhisfoot。Nothingcouldbenoticed。
Thenhewentout，andturnedintothesquare。Againanintense，almostunbearablejoyoverwhelmedhimforaninstant，asithadinthepolice-office。“Ihaveburiedmytracks！Andwho，whocanthinkoflookingunderthatstone？Ithasbeenlyingtheremostlikelyeversincethehousewasbuilt，andwilllieasmanyyearsmore。Andifitwerefound，whowouldthinkofme？Itisallover！Noclue！”Andhelaughed。Yes，herememberedthathebeganlaughingathin，nervousnoiselesslaugh，andwentonlaughingallthetimehewascrossingthesquare。ButwhenhereachedtheK——Boulevardwheretwodaysbeforehehadcomeuponthatgirl，hislaughtersuddenlyceased。Otherideascreptintohismind。Hefeltallatoncethatitwouldbeloathsometopassthatseatonwhichafterthegirlwasgone，hehadsatandpondered，andthatitwouldbehateful，too，tomeetthatwhiskeredpolicemantowhomhehadgiventhetwentycopecks:“Damnhim！”
Hewalked，lookingabouthimangrilyanddistractedly。Allhisideasnowseemedtobecirclingroundsomesinglepoint，andhefeltthattherereallywassuchapoint，andthatnow，now，hewasleftfacingthatpoint—andforthefirsttime，indeed，duringthelasttwomonths。
“Damnitall！”hethoughtsuddenly，inafitofungovernablefury。“Ifithasbegun，thenithasbegun。Hangthenewlife！GoodLord，howstupiditis！…AndwhatliesItoldto-day！HowdespicablyIfawneduponthatwretchedIlyaPetrovitch！Butthatisallfolly！WhatdoIcareforthemall，andmyfawninguponthem！Itisnotthatatall！Itisnotthatatall！”
Suddenlyhestopped；anewutterlyunexpectedandexceedinglysimplequestionperplexedandbitterlyconfoundedhim。
“Ifitallhasreallybeendonedeliberatelyandnotidiotically，ifIreallyhadacertainanddefiniteobject，howisitIdidnotevenglanceintothepurseanddon’tknowwhatIhadthere，forwhichIhaveundergonetheseagonies，andhavedeliberatelyundertakenthisbase，filthydegradingbusiness？AndhereIwantedatoncetothrowintothewaterthepursetogetherwithallthethingswhichIhadnotseeneither…how’sthat？”
Yes，thatwasso，thatwasallso。Yethehadknownitallbefore，anditwasnotanewquestionforhim，evenwhenitwasdecidedinthenightwithouthesitationandconsideration，asthoughsoitmustbe，asthoughitcouldnotpossiblybeotherwise。…Yes，hehadknownitall，andunderstooditall；itsurelyhadallbeensettledevenyesterdayatthemomentwhenhewasbendingovertheboxandpullingthejewel-casesoutofit。…Yes，soitwas。
“ItisbecauseIamveryill，”hedecidedgrimlyatlast，“Ihavebeenworryingandfrettingmyself，andIdon’tknowwhatIamdoing。…YesterdayandthedaybeforeyesterdayandallthistimeIhavebeenworryingmyself。…IshallgetwellandIshallnotworry。…ButwhatifIdon’tgetwellatall？GoodGod，howsickIamofitall！”
Hewalkedonwithoutresting。Hehadaterriblelongingforsomedistraction，buthedidnotknowwhattodo，whattoattempt。Anewoverwhelmingsensationwasgainingmoreandmoremasteryoverhimeverymoment；thiswasanimmeasurable，almostphysical，repulsionforeverythingsurroundinghim，anobstinate，malignantfeelingofhatred。Allwhomethimwereloathsometohim—heloathedtheirfaces，theirmovements，theirgestures。Ifanyonehadaddressedhim，hefeltthathemighthavespatathimorbittenhim。…
Hestoppedsuddenly，oncomingoutonthebankoftheLittleNeva，nearthebridgetoVassilyevskyOstrov。“Why，heliveshere，inthathouse，”hethought，“why，IhavenotcometoRazumihinofmyownaccord！Hereit’sthesamethingoveragain。…Veryinterestingtoknow，though；haveIcomeonpurposeorhaveIsimplywalkedherebychance？Nevermind，IsaidthedaybeforeyesterdaythatIwouldgoandseehimthedayafter；well，andsoIwill！BesidesIreallycannotgofurthernow。”
HewentuptoRazumihin’sroomonthefifthfloor。
Thelatterwasathomeinhisgarret，busilywritingatthemoment，andheopenedthedoorhimself。Itwasfourmonthssincetheyhadseeneachother。Razumihinwassittinginaraggeddressing-gown，withslippersonhisbarefeet，unkempt，unshavenandunwashed。Hisfaceshowedsurprise。
“Isityou？”hecried。Helookedhiscomradeupanddown；thenafterabriefpause，hewhistled。“Ashardupasallthat！Why，brother，you’vecutmeout！”headded，lookingatRaskolnikov’srags。“Comesitdown，youaretired，I’llbebound。”
AndwhenhehadsunkdownontheAmericanleathersofa，whichwasinevenworseconditionthanhisown，Razumihinsawatoncethathisvisitorwasill。
“Why，youareseriouslyill，doyouknowthat？”Hebeganfeelinghispulse。Raskolnikovpulledawayhishand。
“Nevermind，”hesaid，“Ihavecomeforthis:Ihavenolessons。…Iwanted，…butIdon’treallywantlessons。…”
“ButIsay！Youaredelirious，youknow！”Razumihinobserved，watchinghimcarefully。
“No，Iamnot。”
Raskolnikovgotupfromthesofa。AshehadmountedthestairstoRazumihin’s，hehadnotrealisedthathewouldbemeetinghisfriendfacetoface。Now，inaflash，heknew，thatwhathewasleastofalldisposedforatthatmomentwastobefacetofacewithanyoneinthewideworld。Hisspleenrosewithinhim。HealmostchokedwithrageathimselfassoonashecrossedRazumihin’sthreshold。
“Good-bye，”hesaidabruptly，andwalkedtothedoor。
“Stop，stop！Youqueerfish。”
“Idon’twantto，”saidtheother，againpullingawayhishand。
“Thenwhythedevilhaveyoucome？Areyoumad，orwhat？Why，thisis…almostinsulting！Iwon’tletyougolikethat。”
“Well，then，IcametoyoubecauseIknownoonebutyouwhocouldhelp…tobegin…becauseyouarekinderthananyone—cleverer，Imean，andcanjudge…andnowIseethatIwantnothing。Doyouhear？Nothingatall…noone’sservices…noone’ssympathy。Iambymyself…alone。Come，that’senough。Leavemealone。”
“Stayaminute，yousweep！Youareaperfectmadman。AsyoulikeforallIcare。Ihavenolessons，doyousee，andIdon’tcareaboutthat，butthere’sabookseller，Heruvimov—andhetakestheplaceofalesson。Iwouldnotexchangehimforfivelessons。He’sdoingpublishingofakind，andissuingnaturalsciencemanualsandwhatacirculationtheyhave！Theverytitlesareworththemoney！YoualwaysmaintainedthatIwasafool，butbyJove，myboy，therearegreaterfoolsthanIam！Nowheissettingupforbeingadvanced，notthathehasaninklingofanything，but，ofcourse，Iencouragehim。HerearetwosignaturesoftheGermantext—inmyopinion，thecrudestcharlatanism；itdiscussesthequestion，‘Iswomanahumanbeing？’And，ofcourse，triumphantlyprovesthatsheis。Heruvimovisgoingtobringoutthisworkasacontributiontothewomanquestion；Iamtranslatingit；hewillexpandthesetwoandahalfsignaturesintosix，weshallmakeupagorgeoustitlehalfapagelongandbringitoutathalfarouble。Itwilldo！Hepaysmesixroublesthesignature，itworksouttoaboutfifteenroublesforthejob，andI’vehadsixalreadyinadvance。Whenwehavefinishedthis，wearegoingtobeginatranslationaboutwhales，andthensomeofthedullestscandalsoutofthesecondpartofLesConfessionswehavemarkedfortranslation；somebodyhastoldHeruvimov，thatRousseauwasakindofRadishchev。YoumaybesureIdon’tcontradicthim，hanghim！Well，wouldyouliketodothesecondsignatureof‘Iswomanahumanbeing？’Ifyouwould，taketheGermanandpensandpaper—allthoseareprovided，andtakethreeroubles；forasIhavehadsixroublesinadvanceonthewholething，threeroublescometoyouforyourshare。Andwhenyouhavefinishedthesignaturetherewillbeanotherthreeroublesforyou。Andpleasedon’tthinkIamdoingyouaservice；quitethecontrary，assoonasyoucamein，Isawhowyoucouldhelpme；tobeginwith，Iamweakinspelling，andsecondly，IamsometimesutterlyadriftinGerman，sothatImakeitupasIgoalongforthemostpart。Theonlycomfortis，thatit’sboundtobeachangeforthebetter。Thoughwhocantell，maybeit’ssometimesfortheworse。Willyoutakeit？”
RaskolnikovtooktheGermansheetsinsilence，tookthethreeroublesandwithoutawordwentout。Razumihingazedafterhiminastonishment。ButwhenRaskolnikovwasinthenextstreet，heturnedback，mountedthestairstoRazumihin’sagainandlayingonthetabletheGermanarticleandthethreeroubles，wentoutagain，stillwithoututteringaword。
“Areyouraving，orwhat？”Razumihinshouted，rousedtofuryatlast。“Whatfarceisthis？You’lldrivemecrazytoo…whatdidyoucometoseemefor，damnyou？”
“Idon’twant…translation，”mutteredRaskolnikovfromthestairs。
“Thenwhatthedevildoyouwant？”shoutedRazumihinfromabove。Raskolnikovcontinueddescendingthestaircaseinsilence。
“Hey，there！Whereareyouliving？”
Noanswer。
“Well，confoundyouthen！”
ButRaskolnikovwasalreadysteppingintothestreet。OntheNikolaevskyBridgehewasrousedtofullconsciousnessagainbyanunpleasantincident。Acoachman，aftershoutingathimtwoorthreetimes，gavehimaviolentlashonthebackwithhiswhip，forhavingalmostfallenunderhishorses’hoofs。Thelashsoinfuriatedhimthathedashedawaytotherailing(forsomeunknownreasonhehadbeenwalkingintheverymiddleofthebridgeinthetraffic)。Heangrilyclenchedandgroundhisteeth。Heheardlaughter，ofcourse。
“Serveshimright！”
“ApickpocketIdaresay。”
“Pretendingtobedrunk，forsure，andgettingunderthewheelsonpurpose；andyouhavetoanswerforhim。”
“It’saregularprofession，that’swhatitis。”
Butwhilehestoodattherailing，stilllookingangryandbewilderedaftertheretreatingcarriage，andrubbinghisback，hesuddenlyfeltsomeonethrustmoneyintohishand。Helooked。Itwasanelderlywomaninakerchiefandgoatskinshoes，withagirl，probablyherdaughterwearingahat，andcarryingagreenparasol。
“Takeit，mygoodman，inChrist’sname。”
Hetookitandtheypassedon。Itwasapieceoftwentycopecks。Fromhisdressandappearancetheymightwellhavetakenhimforabeggaraskingalmsinthestreets，andthegiftofthetwentycopeckshedoubtlessowedtotheblow，whichmadethemfeelsorryforhim。
Heclosedhishandonthetwentycopecks，walkedonfortenpaces，andturnedfacingtheNeva，lookingtowardsthepalace。Theskywaswithoutacloudandthewaterwasalmostbrightblue，whichissorareintheNeva。Thecupolaofthecathedral，whichisseenatitsbestfromthebridgeabouttwentypacesfromthechapel，glitteredinthesunlight，andinthepureaireveryornamentonitcouldbeclearlydistinguished。Thepainfromthelashwentoff，andRaskolnikovforgotaboutit；oneuneasyandnotquitedefiniteideaoccupiedhimnowcompletely。Hestoodstill，andgazedlongandintentlyintothedistance；thisspotwasespeciallyfamiliartohim。Whenhewasattendingtheuniversity，hehadhundredsoftimes—generallyonhiswayhome—stoodstillonthisspot，gazedatthistrulymagnificentspectacleandalmostalwaysmarvelledatavagueandmysteriousemotionitrousedinhim。Itlefthimstrangelycold；thisgorgeouspicturewasforhimblankandlifeless。Hewonderedeverytimeathissombreandenigmaticimpressionand，mistrustinghimself，putofffindingtheexplanationofit。Hevividlyrecalledthoseolddoubtsandperplexities，anditseemedtohimthatitwasnomerechancethatherecalledthemnow。Itstruckhimasstrangeandgrotesque，thatheshouldhavestoppedatthesamespotasbefore，asthoughheactuallyimaginedhecouldthinkthesamethoughts，beinterestedinthesametheoriesandpicturesthathadinterestedhim…soshortatimeago。Hefeltitalmostamusing，andyetitwrunghisheart。Deepdown，hiddenfarawayoutofsightallthatseemedtohimnow—allhisoldpast，hisoldthoughts，hisoldproblemsandtheories，hisoldimpressionsandthatpictureandhimselfandall，all。…Hefeltasthoughhewereflyingupwards，andeverythingwerevanishingfromhissight。Makinganunconsciousmovementwithhishand，hesuddenlybecameawareofthepieceofmoneyinhisfist。Heopenedhishand，staredatthecoin，andwithasweepofhisarmflungitintothewater；thenheturnedandwenthome。Itseemedtohim，hehadcuthimselfofffromeveryoneandfromeverythingatthatmoment。
Eveningwascomingonwhenhereachedhome，sothathemusthavebeenwalkingaboutsixhours。Howandwherehecamebackhedidnotremember。Undressing，andquiveringlikeanoverdrivenhorse，helaydownonthesofa，drewhisgreatcoatoverhim，andatoncesankintooblivion。…
Itwasduskwhenhewaswakedupbyafearfulscream。GoodGod，whatascream！Suchunnaturalsounds，suchhowling，wailing，grinding，tears，blowsandcurseshehadneverheard。
Hecouldneverhaveimaginedsuchbrutality，suchfrenzy。Interrorhesatupinbed，almostswooningwithagony。Butthefighting，wailingandcursinggrewlouderandlouder。Andthentohisintenseamazementhecaughtthevoiceofhislandlady。Shewashowling，shriekingandwailing，rapidly，hurriedly，incoherently，sothathecouldnotmakeoutwhatshewastalkingabout；shewasbeseeching，nodoubt，nottobebeaten，forshewasbeingmercilesslybeatenonthestairs。Thevoiceofherassailantwassohorriblefromspiteandragethatitwasalmostacroak；buthe，too，wassayingsomething，andjustasquicklyandindistinctly，hurryingandspluttering。AllatonceRaskolnikovtrembled；herecognisedthevoice—itwasthevoiceofIlyaPetrovitch。IlyaPetrovitchhereandbeatingthelandlady！Heiskickingher，bangingherheadagainstthesteps—that’sclear，thatcanbetoldfromthesounds，fromthecriesandthethuds。Howisit，istheworldtopsy-turvy？Hecouldhearpeoplerunningincrowdsfromallthestoreysandallthestaircases；heheardvoices，exclamations，knocking，doorsbanging。“Butwhy，why，andhowcoulditbe？”herepeated，thinkingseriouslythathehadgonemad。Butno，heheardtoodistinctly！Andtheywouldcometohimthennext，“fornodoubt…it’sallaboutthat…aboutyesterday。…GoodGod！”Hewouldhavefastenedhisdoorwiththelatch，buthecouldnotlifthishand…besides，itwouldbeuseless。Terrorgrippedhisheartlikeice，torturedhimandnumbedhim。…Butatlastallthisuproar，aftercontinuingabouttenminutes，begangraduallytosubside。Thelandladywasmoaningandgroaning；IlyaPetrovitchwasstillutteringthreatsandcurses。…Butatlasthe，too，seemedtobesilent，andnowhecouldnotbeheard。“Canhehavegoneaway？GoodLord！”Yes，andnowthelandladyisgoingtoo，stillweepingandmoaning…andthenherdoorslammed。…Nowthecrowdwasgoingfromthestairstotheirrooms，exclaiming，disputing，callingtooneanother，raisingtheirvoicestoashout，droppingthemtoawhisper。Theremusthavebeennumbersofthem—almostalltheinmatesoftheblock。“But，goodGod，howcoulditbe！Andwhy，whyhadhecomehere！”
Raskolnikovsankwornoutonthesofa，butcouldnotclosehiseyes。Helayforhalfanhourinsuchanguish，suchanintolerablesensationofinfiniteterrorashehadneverexperiencedbefore。Suddenlyabrightlightflashedintohisroom。Nastasyacameinwithacandleandaplateofsoup。Lookingathimcarefullyandascertainingthathewasnotasleep，shesetthecandleonthetableandbegantolayoutwhatshehadbrought—bread，salt，aplate，aspoon。
“You’veeatennothingsinceyesterday，Iwarrant。You’vebeentrudgingaboutallday，andyou’reshakingwithfever。”
“Nastasya…whatweretheybeatingthelandladyfor？”
Shelookedintentlyathim。
“Whobeatthelandlady？”
“Justnow…halfanhourago，IlyaPetrovitch，theassistantsuperintendent，onthestairs。…Whywasheill-treatingherlikethat，and…whywashehere？”
Nastasyascrutinisedhim，silentandfrowning，andherscrutinylastedalongtime。Hefeltuneasy，evenfrightenedathersearchingeyes。
“Nastasya，whydon’tyouspeak？”hesaidtimidlyatlastinaweakvoice。
“It’stheblood，”sheansweredatlastsoftly，asthoughspeakingtoherself。
“Blood？Whatblood？”hemuttered，growingwhiteandturningtowardsthewall。
Nastasyastilllookedathimwithoutspeaking。
“Nobodyhasbeenbeatingthelandlady，”shedeclaredatlastinafirm，resolutevoice。
Hegazedather，hardlyabletobreathe。
“Ihearditmyself。…Iwasnotasleep…Iwassittingup，”hesaidstillmoretimidly。“Ilistenedalongwhile。Theassistantsuperintendentcame。…Everyoneranoutontothestairsfromalltheflats。”
“Noonehasbeenhere。That’sthebloodcryinginyourears。Whenthere’snooutletforitanditgetsclotted，youbeginfancyingthings。…Willyoueatsomething？”
Hemadenoanswer。Nastasyastillstoodoverhim，watchinghim。
“Givemesomethingtodrink…Nastasya。”
Shewentdownstairsandreturnedwithawhiteearthenwarejugofwater。Herememberedonlyswallowingonesipofthecoldwaterandspillingsomeonhisneck。Thenfollowedforgetfulness。
Hewasnotcompletelyunconscious，however，allthetimehewasill；hewasinafeverishstate，sometimesdelirious，sometimeshalfconscious。Herememberedagreatdealafterwards。Sometimesitseemedasthoughtherewereanumberofpeopleroundhim；theywantedtotakehimawaysomewhere，therewasagreatdealofsquabblinganddiscussingabouthim。Thenhewouldbealoneintheroom；theyhadallgoneawayafraidofhim，andonlynowandthenopenedthedooracracktolookathim；theythreatenedhim，plottedsomethingtogether，laughed，andmockedathim。HerememberedNastasyaoftenathisbedside；hedistinguishedanotherperson，too，whomheseemedtoknowverywell，thoughhecouldnotrememberwhohewas，andthisfrettedhim，evenmadehimcry。Sometimeshefanciedhehadbeenlyingthereamonth；atothertimesitallseemedpartofthesameday。Butofthat—ofthathehadnorecollection，andyeteveryminutehefeltthathehadforgottensomethingheoughttoremember。Heworriedandtormentedhimselftryingtoremember，moaned，flewintoarage，orsankintoawful，intolerableterror。Thenhestruggledtogetup，wouldhaverunaway，butsomeonealwayspreventedhimbyforce，andhesankbackintoimpotenceandforgetfulness。Atlasthereturnedtocompleteconsciousness。
Ithappenedatteno’clockinthemorning。Onfinedaysthesunshoneintotheroomatthathour，throwingastreakoflightontherightwallandthecornernearthedoor。Nastasyawasstandingbesidehimwithanotherperson，acompletestranger，whowaslookingathimveryinquisitively。Hewasayoungmanwithabeard，wearingafull，short-waistedcoat，andlookedlikeamessenger。Thelandladywaspeepinginatthehalf-openeddoor。Raskolnikovsatup。
“Whoisthis，Nastasya？”heasked，pointingtotheyoungman。
“Isay，he’shimselfagain！”shesaid。
“Heishimself，”echoedtheman。
Concludingthathehadreturnedtohissenses，thelandladyclosedthedooranddisappeared。Shewasalwaysshyanddreadedconversationsordiscussions。Shewasawomanofforty，notatallbad-looking，fatandbuxom，withblackeyesandeyebrows，good-naturedfromfatnessandlaziness，andabsurdlybashful。
“Who…areyou？”hewenton，addressingtheman。Butatthatmomentthedoorwasflungopen，and，stoopingalittle，ashewassotall，Razumihincamein。
“Whatacabinitis！”hecried。“Iamalwaysknockingmyhead。Youcallthisalodging！Soyouareconscious，brother？I’vejustheardthenewsfromPashenka。”
“Hehasjustcometo，”saidNastasya。
“Justcometo，”echoedthemanagain，withasmile。
“Andwhoareyou？”Razumihinasked，suddenlyaddressinghim。“MynameisVrazumihin，atyourservice；notRazumihin，asIamalwayscalled，butVrazumihin，astudentandgentleman；andheismyfriend。Andwhoareyou？”
“Iamthemessengerfromouroffice，fromthemerchantShelopaev，andI’vecomeonbusiness。”
“Pleasesitdown。”Razumihinseatedhimselfontheothersideofthetable。“It’sagoodthingyou’vecometo，brother，”hewentontoRaskolnikov。“Forthelastfourdaysyouhavescarcelyeatenordrunkanything。Wehadtogiveyouteainspoonfuls。IbroughtZossimovtoseeyoutwice。YourememberZossimov？Heexaminedyoucarefullyandsaidatonceitwasnothingserious—somethingseemedtohavegonetoyourhead。Somenervousnonsense，theresultofbadfeeding，hesaysyouhavenothadenoughbeerandradish，butit’snothingmuch，itwillpassandyouwillbeallright。Zossimovisafirst-ratefellow！Heismakingquiteaname。Come，Iwon’tkeepyou，”hesaid，addressingthemanagain。“Willyouexplainwhatyouwant？Youmustknow，Rodya，thisisthesecondtimetheyhavesentfromtheoffice；butitwasanothermanlasttime，andItalkedtohim。Whowasitcamebefore？”
“Thatwasthedaybeforeyesterday，Iventuretosay，ifyouplease，sir。ThatwasAlexeySemyonovitch；heisinouroffice，too。”
“Hewasmoreintelligentthanyou，don’tyouthinkso？”
“Yes，indeed，sir，heisofmoreweightthanIam。”
“Quiteso；goon。”
“Atyourmamma’srequest，throughAfanasyIvanovitchVahrushin，ofwhomIpresumeyouhaveheardmorethanonce，aremittanceissenttoyoufromouroffice，”themanbegan，addressingRaskolnikov。“Ifyouareinanintelligiblecondition，I’vethirty-fiveroublestoremittoyou，asSemyonSemyonovitchhasreceivedfromAfanasyIvanovitchatyourmamma’srequestinstructionstothateffect，asonpreviousoccasions。Doyouknowhim，sir？”
“Yes，Iremember…Vahrushin，”Raskolnikovsaiddreamily。
“Youhear，heknowsVahrushin，”criedRazumihin。“Heisin‘anintelligiblecondition’！AndIseeyouareanintelligentmantoo。Well，it’salwayspleasanttohearwordsofwisdom。”
“That’sthegentleman，Vahrushin，AfanasyIvanovitch。Andattherequestofyourmamma，whohassentyouaremittanceoncebeforeinthesamemannerthroughhim，hedidnotrefusethistimealso，andsentinstructionstoSemyonSemyonovitchsomedayssincetohandyouthirty-fiveroublesinthehopeofbettertocome。”
“That‘hopingforbettertocome’isthebestthingyou’vesaid，though‘yourmamma’isnotbadeither。Comethen，whatdoyousay？Ishefullyconscious，eh？”
“That’sallright。Ifonlyhecansignthislittlepaper。”
“Hecanscrawlhisname。Haveyougotthebook？”
“Yes，here’sthebook。”
“Giveittome。Here，Rodya，situp。I’llholdyou。Takethepenandscribble‘Raskolnikov’forhim。Forjustnow，brother，moneyissweetertousthantreacle。”
“Idon’twantit，”saidRaskolnikov，pushingawaythepen。
“Notwantit？”
“Iwon’tsignit。”
“Howthedevilcanyoudowithoutsigningit？”
“Idon’twant…themoney。”
“Don’twantthemoney！Come，brother，that’snonsense，Ibearwitness。Don’ttrouble，please，it’sonlythatheisonhistravelsagain。Butthat’sprettycommonwithhimatalltimesthough。…Youareamanofjudgmentandwewilltakehiminhand，thatis，moresimply，takehishandandhewillsignit。Here。”
“ButIcancomeanothertime。”
“No，no。Whyshouldwetroubleyou？Youareamanofjudgment。…Now，Rodya，don’tkeepyourvisitor，youseeheiswaiting，”andhemadereadytoholdRaskolnikov’shandinearnest。
“Stop，I’lldoitalone，”saidthelatter，takingthepenandsigninghisname。
Themessengertookoutthemoneyandwentaway。
“Bravo！Andnow，brother，areyouhungry？”
“Yes，”answeredRaskolnikov。
“Isthereanysoup？”
“Someofyesterday’s，”answeredNastasya，whowasstillstandingthere。
“Withpotatoesandriceinit？”
“Yes。”
“Iknowitbyheart。Bringsoupandgiveussometea。”
“Verywell。”
Raskolnikovlookedatallthiswithprofoundastonishmentandadull，unreasoningterror。Hemadeuphismindtokeepquietandseewhatwouldhappen。“IbelieveIamnotwandering。Ibelieveit’sreality，”hethought。
InacoupleofminutesNastasyareturnedwiththesoup，andannouncedthattheteawouldbereadydirectly。Withthesoupshebroughttwospoons，twoplates，salt，pepper，mustardforthebeef，andsoon。Thetablewassetasithadnotbeenforalongtime。Theclothwasclean。
“Itwouldnotbeamiss，Nastasya，ifPraskovyaPavlovnaweretosendusupacoupleofbottlesofbeer。Wecouldemptythem。”
“Well，youareacoolhand，”mutteredNastasya，andshedepartedtocarryouthisorders。
Raskolnikovstillgazedwildlywithstrainedattention。MeanwhileRazumihinsatdownonthesofabesidehim，asclumsilyasabearputhisleftarmroundRaskolnikov’shead，althoughhewasabletositup，andwithhisrighthandgavehimaspoonfulofsoup，blowingonitthatitmightnotburnhim。Butthesoupwasonlyjustwarm。Raskolnikovswallowedonespoonfulgreedily，thenasecond，thenathird。Butaftergivinghimafewmorespoonfulsofsoup，Razumihinsuddenlystopped，andsaidthathemustaskZossimovwhetherheoughttohavemore。
Nastasyacameinwithtwobottlesofbeer。
“Andwillyouhavetea？”
“Yes。”
“Cutalong，Nastasya，andbringsometea，forteawemayventureonwithoutthefaculty。Buthereisthebeer！”Hemovedbacktohischair，pulledthesoupandmeatinfrontofhim，andbeganeatingasthoughhehadnottouchedfoodforthreedays。
“Imusttellyou，Rodya，Idinelikethishereeverydaynow，”hemumbledwithhismouthfullofbeef，“andit’sallPashenka，yourdearlittlelandlady，whoseestothat；shelovestodoanythingforme。Idon’taskforit，but，ofcourse，Idon’tobject。Andhere’sNastasyawiththetea。Sheisaquickgirl。Nastasya，mydear，won’tyouhavesomebeer？”
“Getalongwithyournonsense！”
“Acupoftea，then？”
“Acupoftea，maybe。”
“Pouritout。Stay，I’llpouritoutmyself。Sitdown。”
Hepouredouttwocups，lefthisdinner，andsatonthesofaagain。Asbefore，heputhisleftarmroundthesickman’shead，raisedhimupandgavehimteainspoonfuls，againblowingeachspoonfulsteadilyandearnestly，asthoughthisprocesswastheprincipalandmosteffectivemeanstowardshisfriend’srecovery。Raskolnikovsaidnothingandmadenoresistance，thoughhefeltquitestrongenoughtosituponthesofawithoutsupportandcouldnotmerelyhaveheldacuporaspoon，butevenperhapscouldhavewalkedabout。Butfromsomequeer，almostanimal，cunningheconceivedtheideaofhidinghisstrengthandlyinglowforatime，pretendingifnecessarynottobeyetinfullpossessionofhisfaculties，andmeanwhilelisteningtofindoutwhatwasgoingon。Yethecouldnotovercomehissenseofrepugnance。Aftersippingadozenspoonfulsoftea，hesuddenlyreleasedhishead，pushedthespoonawaycapriciously，andsankbackonthepillow。Therewereactuallyrealpillowsunderhisheadnow，downpillowsincleancases，heobservedthat，too，andtooknoteofit。
“Pashenkamustgiveussomeraspberryjamto-daytomakehimsomeraspberrytea，”saidRazumihin，goingbacktohischairandattackinghissoupandbeeragain。
“Andwhereisshetogetraspberriesforyou？”askedNastasya，balancingasauceronherfiveoutspreadfingersandsippingteathroughalumpofsugar。
“She’llgetitattheshop，mydear。Yousee，Rodya，allsortsofthingshavebeenhappeningwhileyouhavebeenlaidup。Whenyoudecampedinthatrascallywaywithoutleavingyouraddress，IfeltsoangrythatIresolvedtofindyououtandpunishyou。Isettoworkthatveryday。HowIranaboutmakinginquiriesforyou！ThislodgingofyoursIhadforgotten，thoughIneverrememberedit，indeed，becauseIdidnotknowit；andasforyouroldlodgings，IcouldonlyrememberitwasattheFiveCorners，Harlamov’shouse。IkepttryingtofindthatHarlamov’shouse，andafterwardsitturnedoutthatitwasnotHarlamov’s，butBuch’s。Howonemuddlesupsoundsometimes！SoIlostmytemper，andIwentonthechancetotheaddressbureaunextday，andonlyfancy，intwominutestheylookedyouup！Yournameisdownthere。”
“Myname！”
“Ishouldthinkso；andyetaGeneralKobelevtheycouldnotfindwhileIwasthere。Well，it’salongstory。ButassoonasIdidlandonthisplace，Isoongottoknowallyouraffairs—all，all，brother，Iknoweverything；Nastasyaherewilltellyou。ImadetheacquaintanceofNikodimFomitchandIlyaPetrovitch，andthehouse-porterandMr。Zametov，AlexandrGrigorievitch，theheadclerkinthepoliceoffice，and，last，butnotleast，ofPashenka；Nastasyahereknows。…”
“He’sgotroundher，”Nastasyamurmured，smilingslyly。
“Whydon’tyouputthesugarinyourtea，NastasyaNikiforovna？”
“Youareaone！”Nastasyacriedsuddenly，goingoffintoagiggle。“IamnotNikiforovna，butPetrovna，”sheaddedsuddenly，recoveringfromhermirth。
“I’llmakeanoteofit。Well，brother，tomakealongstoryshort，Iwasgoinginforaregularexplosionheretouprootallmalignantinfluencesinthelocality，butPashenkawontheday。Ihadnotexpected，brother，tofindherso…prepossessing。Eh，whatdoyouthink？”
Raskolnikovdidnotspeak，buthestillkepthiseyesfixeduponhim，fullofalarm。
“Andallthatcouldbewished，indeed，ineveryrespect，”Razumihinwenton，notatallembarrassedbyhissilence。
“Ah，theslydog！”Nastasyashriekedagain。Thisconversationaffordedherunspeakabledelight。
“It’sapity，brother，thatyoudidnotsettoworkintherightwayatfirst。Yououghttohaveapproachedherdifferently。Sheis，sotospeak，amostunaccountablecharacter。Butwewilltalkabouthercharacterlater。…Howcouldyouletthingscometosuchapassthatshegaveupsendingyouyourdinner？AndthatIOU？YoumusthavebeenmadtosignanIOU。Andthatpromiseofmarriagewhenherdaughter，NatalyaYegorovna，wasalive？…Iknowallaboutit！ButIseethat’sadelicatematterandIamanass；forgiveme。But，talkingoffoolishness，doyouknowPraskovyaPavlovnaisnotnearlysofoolishasyouwouldthinkatfirstsight？”
“No，”mumbledRaskolnikov，lookingaway，butfeelingthatitwasbettertokeepuptheconversation。
“Sheisn’t，isshe？”criedRazumihin，delightedtogetanansweroutofhim。“Butsheisnotveryclevereither，eh？Sheisessentially，essentiallyanunaccountablecharacter！Iamsometimesquiteataloss，Iassureyou。…Shemustbeforty；shesayssheisthirty-six，andofcourseshehaseveryrighttosayso。ButIswearIjudgeherintellectually，simplyfromthemetaphysicalpointofview；thereisasortofsymbolismsprungupbetweenus，asortofalgebraorwhatnot！Idon’tunderstandit！Well，that’sallnonsense。Only，seeingthatyouarenotastudentnowandhavelostyourlessonsandyourclothes，andthatthroughtheyounglady’sdeathshehasnoneedtotreatyouasarelation，shesuddenlytookfright；andasyouhidinyourdenanddroppedallyouroldrelationswithher，sheplannedtogetridofyou。Andshe’sbeencherishingthatdesignalongtime，butwassorrytolosetheIOU，foryouassuredheryourselfthatyourmotherwouldpay。”
“Itwasbaseofmetosaythat。…Mymotherherselfisalmostabeggar…andItoldalietokeepmylodging…andbefed，”Raskolnikovsaidloudlyanddistinctly。
“Yes，youdidverysensibly。ButtheworstofitisthatatthatpointMr。Tchebarovturnsup，abusinessman。Pashenkawouldneverhavethoughtofdoinganythingonherownaccount，sheistooretiring；butthebusinessmanisbynomeansretiring，andfirstthingheputsthequestion，‘IsthereanyhopeofrealisingtheIOU？’Answer:thereis，becausehehasamotherwhowouldsaveherRodyawithherhundredandtwenty-fiveroublespension，ifshehastostarveherself；andasister，too，whowouldgointobondageforhissake。That’swhathewasbuildingupon。…Whydoyoustart？Iknowalltheinsandoutsofyouraffairsnow，mydearboy—it’snotfornothingthatyouweresoopenwithPashenkawhenyouwereherprospectiveson-in-law，andIsayallthisasafriend。…ButItellyouwhatitis；anhonestandsensitivemanisopen；andabusinessman‘listensandgoesoneating’youup。Well，thenshegavetheIOUbywayofpaymenttothisTchebarov，andwithouthesitationhemadeaformaldemandforpayment。WhenIheardofallthisIwantedtoblowhimup，too，toclearmyconscience，butbythattimeharmonyreignedbetweenmeandPashenka，andIinsistedonstoppingthewholeaffair，engagingthatyouwouldpay。Iwentsecurityforyou，brother。Doyouunderstand？WecalledTchebarov，flunghimtenroublesandgottheIOUbackfromhim，andhereIhavethehonourofpresentingittoyou。Shetrustsyourwordnow。Here，takeit，youseeIhavetornit。”
Razumihinputthenoteonthetable。Raskolnikovlookedathimandturnedtothewallwithoututteringaword。EvenRazumihinfeltatwinge。
“Isee，brother，”hesaidamomentlater，“thatIhavebeenplayingthefoolagain。IthoughtIshouldamuseyouwithmychatter，andIbelieveIhaveonlymadeyoucross。”
“WasityouIdidnotrecognisewhenIwasdelirious？”Raskolnikovasked，afteramoment’spausewithoutturninghishead。
“Yes，andyouflewintoarageaboutit，especiallywhenIbroughtZametovoneday。”
“Zametov？Theheadclerk？Whatfor？”RaskolnikovturnedroundquicklyandfixedhiseyesonRazumihin。
“What’sthematterwithyou？…Whatareyouupsetabout？HewantedtomakeyouracquaintancebecauseItalkedtohimalotaboutyou。…HowcouldIhavefoundoutsomuchexceptfromhim？Heisacapitalfellow，brother，first-rate…inhisownway，ofcourse。Nowwearefriends—seeeachotheralmosteveryday。Ihavemovedintothispart，youknow。Ihaveonlyjustmoved。I’vebeenwithhimtoLuiseIvanovnaonceortwice。…DoyourememberLuise，LuiseIvanovna？
“DidIsayanythingindelirium？”
“Ishouldthinkso！Youwerebesideyourself。”
“WhatdidIraveabout？”
“Whatnext？Whatdidyouraveabout？Whatpeopledoraveabout。…Well，brother，nowImustnotlosetime。Towork。”Hegotupfromthetableandtookuphiscap。
“WhatdidIraveabout？”
“Howhekeepson！Areyouafraidofhavingletoutsomesecret？Don’tworryyourself；yousaidnothingaboutacountess。Butyousaidalotaboutabulldog，andaboutear-ringsandchains，andaboutKrestovskyIsland，andsomeporter，andNikodimFomitchandIlyaPetrovitch，theassistantsuperintendent。Andanotherthingthatwasofspecialinteresttoyouwasyourownsock。Youwhined，‘Givememysock。’Zametovhuntedallaboutyourroomforyoursocks，andwithhisownscented，ring-bedeckedfingershegaveyoutherag。Andonlythenwereyoucomforted，andforthenexttwenty-fourhoursyouheldthewretchedthinginyourhand；wecouldnotgetitfromyou。Itismostlikelysomewhereunderyourquiltatthismoment。Andthenyouaskedsopiteouslyforfringeforyourtrousers。Wetriedtofindoutwhatsortoffringe，butwecouldnotmakeitout。Nowtobusiness！Herearethirty-fiveroubles；Itaketenofthem，andshallgiveyouanaccountoftheminanhourortwo。IwillletZossimovknowatthesametime，thoughheoughttohavebeenherelongago，foritisnearlytwelve。Andyou，Nastasya，lookinprettyoftenwhileIamaway，toseewhetherhewantsadrinkoranythingelse。AndIwilltellPashenkawhatiswantedmyself。Good-bye！”
“HecallsherPashenka！Ah，he’sadeepone！”saidNastasyaashewentout；thensheopenedthedoorandstoodlistening，butcouldnotresistrunningdownstairsafterhim。Shewasveryeagertohearwhathewouldsaytothelandlady。ShewasevidentlyquitefascinatedbyRazumihin。
Nosoonerhadshelefttheroomthanthesickmanflungoffthebedclothesandleaptoutofbedlikeamadman。Withburning，twitchingimpatiencehehadwaitedforthemtobegonesothathemightsettowork。Buttowhatwork？Now，asthoughtospitehim，iteludedhim。
“GoodGod，onlytellmeonething:dotheyknowofityetornot？Whatiftheyknowitandareonlypretending，mockingmewhileIamlaidup，andthentheywillcomeinandtellmethatit’sbeendiscoveredlongagoandthattheyhaveonly…WhatamItodonow？That’swhatI’veforgotten，asthoughonpurpose；forgottenitallatonce，Irememberedaminuteago。”
Hestoodinthemiddleoftheroomandgazedinmiserablebewildermentabouthim；hewalkedtothedoor，openedit，listened；butthatwasnotwhathewanted。Suddenly，asthoughrecallingsomething，herushedtothecornerwheretherewasaholeunderthepaper，beganexaminingit，puthishandintothehole，fumbled—butthatwasnotit。Hewenttothestove，openeditandbeganrummagingintheashes；thefrayededgesofhistrousersandtheragscutoffhispocketwerelyingtherejustashehadthrownthem。Noonehadlooked，then！ThenherememberedthesockaboutwhichRazumihinhadjustbeentellinghim。Yes，thereitlayonthesofaunderthequilt，butitwassocoveredwithdustandgrimethatZametovcouldnothaveseenanythingonit。
“Bah，Zametov！Thepoliceoffice！AndwhyamIsentfortothepoliceoffice？Where’sthenotice？Bah！Iammixingitup；thatwasthen。Ilookedatmysockthen，too，butnow…nowIhavebeenill。ButwhatdidZametovcomefor？WhydidRazumihinbringhim？”hemuttered，helplesslysittingonthesofaagain。“Whatdoesitmean？AmIstillindelirium，orisitreal？Ibelieveitisreal。…Ah，Iremember；Imustescape！Makehastetoescape。Yes，Imust，Imustescape！Yes…butwhere？Andwherearemyclothes？I’venoboots。They’vetakenthemaway！They’vehiddenthem！Iunderstand！Ah，hereismycoat—theypassedthatover！Andhereismoneyonthetable，thankGod！Andhere’stheIOU…I’lltakethemoneyandgoandtakeanotherlodging。Theywon’tfindme！…Yes，buttheaddressbureau？They’llfindme，Razumihinwillfindme。Betterescapealtogether…faraway…toAmerica，andletthemdotheirworst！AndtaketheIOU…itwouldbeofusethere。…WhatelseshallItake？TheythinkIamill！Theydon’tknowthatIcanwalk，ha-ha-ha！Icouldseebytheireyesthattheyknowallaboutit！IfonlyIcouldgetdownstairs！Andwhatiftheyhavesetawatchthere—policemen！What’sthistea？Ah，andhereisbeerleft，halfabottle，cold！”
Hesnatchedupthebottle，whichstillcontainedaglassfulofbeer，andgulpeditdownwithrelish，asthoughquenchingaflameinhisbreast。Butinanotherminutethebeerhadgonetohishead，andafaintandevenpleasantshiverrandownhisspine。Helaydownandpulledthequiltoverhim。Hissickandincoherentthoughtsgrewmoreandmoredisconnected，andsoonalight，pleasantdrowsinesscameuponhim。Withasenseofcomforthenestledhisheadintothepillow，wrappedmorecloselyabouthimthesoft，waddedquiltwhichhadreplacedtheold，raggedgreatcoat，sighedsoftlyandsankintoadeep，sound，refreshingsleep。
Hewokeup，hearingsomeonecomein。HeopenedhiseyesandsawRazumihinstandinginthedoorway，uncertainwhethertocomeinornot。Raskolnikovsatupquicklyonthesofaandgazedathim，asthoughtryingtorecallsomething。
“Ah，youarenotasleep！HereIam！Nastasya，bringintheparcel！”Razumihinshouteddownthestairs。“Youshallhavetheaccountdirectly。”
“Whattimeisit？”askedRaskolnikov，lookingrounduneasily。
“Yes，youhadafinesleep，brother，it’salmostevening，itwillbesixo’clockdirectly。Youhavesleptmorethansixhours。”
“Goodheavens！HaveI？”
“Andwhynot？Itwilldoyougood。What’sthehurry？Atryst，isit？We’vealltimebeforeus。I’vebeenwaitingforthelastthreehoursforyou；I’vebeenuptwiceandfoundyouasleep。I’vecalledonZossimovtwice；notathome，onlyfancy！Butnomatter，hewillturnup。AndI’vebeenoutonmyownbusiness，too。YouknowI’vebeenmovingto-day，movingwithmyuncle。Ihaveanunclelivingwithmenow。Butthat’snomatter，tobusiness。Givemetheparcel，Nastasya。Wewillopenitdirectly。Andhowdoyoufeelnow，brother？”
“Iamquitewell，Iamnotill。Razumihin，haveyoubeenherelong？”
“ItellyouI’vebeenwaitingforthelastthreehours。”
“No，before。”
“Howdoyoumean？”
“Howlonghaveyoubeencominghere？”
“WhyItoldyouallaboutitthismorning。Don’tyouremember？”
Raskolnikovpondered。Themorningseemedlikeadreamtohim。Hecouldnotrememberalone，andlookedinquiringlyatRazumihin。
“Hm！”saidthelatter，“hehasforgotten。Ifanciedthenthatyouwerenotquiteyourself。Nowyouarebetterforyoursleep。…Youreallylookmuchbetter。First-rate！Well，tobusiness。Lookhere，mydearboy。”
Hebeganuntyingthebundle，whichevidentlyinterestedhim。
“Believeme，brother，thisissomethingspeciallynearmyheart。Forwemustmakeamanofyou。Let’sbeginfromthetop。Doyouseethiscap？”hesaid，takingoutofthebundleafairlygoodthoughcheapandordinarycap。“Letmetryiton。”
“Presently，afterwards，”saidRaskolnikov，wavingitoffpettishly。
“Come，Rodya，myboy，don’topposeit，afterwardswillbetoolate；andIshan’tsleepallnight，forIboughtitbyguess，withoutmeasure。Justright！”hecriedtriumphantly，fittingiton，“justyoursize！Aproperhead-coveringisthefirstthingindressandarecommendationinitsownway。Tolstyakov，afriendofmine，isalwaysobligedtotakeoffhispuddingbasinwhenhegoesintoanypublicplacewhereotherpeopleweartheirhatsorcaps。Peoplethinkhedoesitfromslavishpoliteness，butit’ssimplybecauseheisashamedofhisbird’snest；heissuchaboastfulfellow！Look，Nastasya，herearetwospecimensofheadgear:thisPalmerston”—hetookfromthecornerRaskolnikov’sold，batteredhat，whichforsomeunknownreason，hecalledaPalmerston—“orthisjewel！Guesstheprice，Rodya，whatdoyousupposeIpaidforit，Nastasya！”hesaid，turningtoher，seeingthatRaskolnikovdidnotspeak。
“Twentycopecks，nomore，Idaresay，”answeredNastasya。
“Twentycopecks，silly！”hecried，offended。“Why，nowadaysyouwouldcostmorethanthat—eightycopecks！Andthatonlybecauseithasbeenworn。Andit’sboughtonconditionthatwhen’sit’swornout，theywillgiveyouanothernextyear。Yes，onmyword！Well，nowletuspasstotheUnitedStatesofAmerica，astheycalledthematschool。IassureyouIamproudofthesebreeches，”andheexhibitedtoRaskolnikovapairoflight，summertrousersofgreywoollenmaterial。“Noholes，nospots，andquiterespectable，althoughalittleworn；andawaistcoattomatch，quiteinthefashion。Anditsbeingwornreallyisanimprovement，it’ssofter，smoother。…Yousee，Rodya，tomythinking，thegreatthingforgettingonintheworldisalwaystokeeptotheseasons；ifyoudon’tinsistonhavingasparagusinJanuary，youkeepyourmoneyinyourpurse；andit’sthesamewiththispurchase。It’ssummernow，soI’vebeenbuyingsummerthings—warmermaterialswillbewantedforautumn，soyouwillhavetothrowtheseawayinanycase…especiallyastheywillbedoneforbythenfromtheirownlackofcoherenceifnotyourhigherstandardofluxury。Come，pricethem！Whatdoyousay？Tworoublestwenty-fivecopecks！Andrememberthecondition:ifyouweartheseout，youwillhaveanothersuitfornothing！TheyonlydobusinessonthatsystematFedyaev’s；ifyou’veboughtathingonce，youaresatisfiedforlife，foryouwillnevergothereagainofyourownfreewill。Nowfortheboots。Whatdoyousay？Youseethattheyareabitworn，butthey’lllastacoupleofmonths，forit’sforeignworkandforeignleather；thesecretaryoftheEnglishEmbassysoldthemlastweek—hehadonlywornthemsixdays，buthewasveryshortofcash。Price—aroubleandahalf。Abargain？”
“Butperhapstheywon’tfit，”observedNastasya。
“Notfit？Justlook！”andhepulledoutofhispocketRaskolnikov’sold，brokenboot，stifflycoatedwithdrymud。“Ididnotgoempty-handed—theytookthesizefromthismonster。Wealldidourbest。Andastoyourlinen，yourlandladyhasseentothat。Here，tobeginwitharethreeshirts，hempenbutwithafashionablefront。…Wellnowthen，eightycopecksthecap，tworoublestwenty-fivecopecksthesuit—togetherthreeroublesfivecopecks—aroubleandahalffortheboots—for，yousee，theyareverygood—andthatmakesfourroublesfifty-fivecopecks；fiveroublesfortheunderclothes—theywereboughtinthelo—whichmakesexactlynineroublesfifty-fivecopecks。Forty-fivecopeckschangeincoppers。Willyoutakeit？Andso，Rodya，youaresetupwithacompletenewrig-out，foryourovercoatwillserve，andevenhasastyleofitsown。Thatcomesfromgettingone’sclothesfromSharmer’s！Asforyoursocksandotherthings，Ileavethemtoyou；we’vetwenty-fiveroublesleft。AndasforPashenkaandpayingforyourlodging，don’tyouworry。Itellyoushe’lltrustyouforanything。Andnow，brother，letmechangeyourlinen，forIdaresayyouwillthrowoffyourillnesswithyourshirt。”
“Letmebe！Idon’twantto！”Raskolnikovwavedhimoff。HehadlistenedwithdisgusttoRazumihin’seffortstobeplayfulabouthispurchases。
“Come，brother，don’ttellmeI’vebeentrudgingaroundfornothing，”Razumihininsisted。“Nastasya，don’tbebashful，buthelpme—that’sit，”andinspiteofRaskolnikov’sresistancehechangedhislinen。Thelattersankbackonthepillowsandforaminuteortwosaidnothing。
“ItwillbelongbeforeIgetridofthem，”hethought。“Whatmoneywasallthatboughtwith？”heaskedatlast，gazingatthewall。
“Money？Why，yourown，whatthemessengerbroughtfromVahrushin，yourmothersentit。Haveyouforgottenthat，too？”
“Iremembernow，”saidRaskolnikovafteralong，sullensilence。Razumihinlookedathim，frowninganduneasy。
Thedooropenedandatall，stoutmanwhoseappearanceseemedfamiliartoRaskolnikovcamein。
Zossimovwasatall，fatmanwithapuffy，colourless，clean-shavenfaceandstraightflaxenhair。Heworespectacles，andabiggoldringonhisfatfinger。Hewastwenty-seven。Hehadonalightgreyfashionableloosecoat，lightsummertrousers，andeverythingabouthimloose，fashionableandspickandspan；hislinenwasirreproachable，hiswatch-chainwasmassive。Inmannerhewasslowand，asitwere，nonchalant，andatthesametimestudiouslyfreeandeasy；hemadeeffortstoconcealhisself-importance，butitwasapparentateveryinstant。Allhisacquaintancesfoundhimtedious，butsaidhewascleverathiswork。
“I’vebeentoyoutwiceto-day，brother。Yousee，he’scometohimself，”criedRazumihin。
“Isee，Isee；andhowdowefeelnow，eh？”saidZossimovtoRaskolnikov，watchinghimcarefullyand，sittingdownatthefootofthesofa，hesettledhimselfascomfortablyashecould。
“Heisstilldepressed，”Razumihinwenton。“We’vejustchangedhislinenandhealmostcried。”
“That’sverynatural；youmighthaveputitoffifhedidnotwishit。…Hispulseisfirst-rate。Isyourheadstillaching，eh？”
“Iamwell，Iamperfectlywell！”Raskolnikovdeclaredpositivelyandirritably。Heraisedhimselfonthesofaandlookedatthemwithglitteringeyes，butsankbackontothepillowatonceandturnedtothewall。Zossimovwatchedhimintently。
“Verygood。…Goingonallright，”hesaidlazily。“Hasheeatenanything？”
Theytoldhim，andaskedwhathemighthave。
“Hemayhaveanything…soup，tea…mushroomsandcucumbers，ofcourse，youmustnotgivehim；he’dbetternothavemeateither，and…butnoneedtotellyouthat！”Razumihinandhelookedateachother。“Nomoremedicineoranything。I’lllookathimagainto-morrow。Perhaps，to-dayeven…butnevermind…”
“To-morroweveningIshalltakehimforawalk，”saidRazumihin。“WearegoingtotheYusupovgardenandthentothePalaisdeCrystal。”
“Iwouldnotdisturbhimto-morrowatall，butIdon’tknow…alittle，maybe…butwe’llsee。”
“Ach，whatanuisance！I’vegotahouse-warmingpartyto-night；it’sonlyastepfromhere。Couldn’thecome？Hecouldlieonthesofa。Youarecoming？”RazumihinsaidtoZossimov。“Don’tforget，youpromised。”
“Allright，onlyratherlater。Whatareyougoingtodo？”
“Oh，nothing—tea，vodka，herrings。Therewillbeapie…justourfriends。”
“Andwho？”
“Allneighbourshere，almostallnewfriends，exceptmyolduncle，andheisnewtoo—heonlyarrivedinPetersburgyesterdaytoseetosomebusinessofhis。Wemeetonceinfiveyears。”
“Whatishe？”
“He’sbeenstagnatingallhislifeasadistrictpostmaster；getsalittlepension。Heissixty-five—notworthtalkingabout。…ButIamfondofhim。PorfiryPetrovitch，theheadoftheInvestigationDepartmenthere…Butyouknowhim。”
“Ishearelationofyours，too？”
“Averydistantone。Butwhyareyouscowling？Becauseyouquarrelledonce，won’tyoucomethen？”
“Idon’tcareadamnforhim。”
“Somuchthebetter。Well，therewillbesomestudents，ateacher，agovernmentclerk，amusician，anofficerandZametov。”
“Dotellme，please，whatyouorhe”—ZossimovnoddedatRaskolnikov—“canhaveincommonwiththisZametov？”
“Oh，youparticulargentleman！Principles！Youareworkedbyprinciples，asitwerebysprings；youwon’tventuretoturnroundonyourownaccount。Ifamanisanicefellow，that’stheonlyprincipleIgoupon。Zametovisadelightfulperson。”
“Thoughhedoestakebribes。”
“Well，hedoes！andwhatofit？Idon’tcareifhedoestakebribes，”Razumihincriedwithunnaturalirritability。“Idon’tpraisehimfortakingbribes。Ionlysayheisanicemaninhisownway！Butifonelooksatmeninallways—aretheremanygoodonesleft？Why，IamsureIshouldn’tbeworthabakedonionmyself…perhapswithyouthrownin。”
“That’stoolittle；I’dgivetwoforyou。”
“AndIwouldn’tgivemorethanoneforyou。Nomoreofyourjokes！Zametovisnomorethanaboy。Icanpullhishairandonemustdrawhimnotrepelhim。You’llneverimproveamanbyrepellinghim，especiallyaboy。Onehastobetwiceascarefulwithaboy。Oh，youprogressivedullards！Youdon’tunderstand。Youharmyourselvesrunninganothermandown。…Butifyouwanttoknow，wereallyhavesomethingincommon。”
“Ishouldliketoknowwhat。”
“Why，it’sallaboutahouse-painter。…Wearegettinghimoutofamess！Thoughindeedthere’snothingtofearnow。Thematterisabsolutelyself-evident。Weonlyputonsteam。”
“Apainter？”
“Why，haven’tItoldyouaboutit？Ionlytoldyouthebeginningthenaboutthemurderoftheoldpawnbroker-woman。Well，thepainterismixedupinit…”
“Oh，Iheardaboutthatmurderbeforeandwasratherinterestedinit…partly…foronereason。…Ireadaboutitinthepapers，too。…”
“Lizavetawasmurdered，too，”Nastasyablurtedout，suddenlyaddressingRaskolnikov。Sheremainedintheroomallthetime，standingbythedoorlistening。
“Lizaveta，”murmuredRaskolnikovhardlyaudibly。
“Lizaveta，whosoldoldclothes。Didn’tyouknowher？Sheusedtocomehere。Shemendedashirtforyou，too。”
Raskolnikovturnedtothewallwhereinthedirty，yellowpaperhepickedoutoneclumsy，whiteflowerwithbrownlinesonitandbeganexamininghowmanypetalstherewereinit，howmanyscallopsinthepetalsandhowmanylinesonthem。Hefelthisarmsandlegsaslifelessasthoughtheyhadbeencutoff。Hedidnotattempttomove，butstaredobstinatelyattheflower。
“Butwhataboutthepainter？”ZossimovinterruptedNastasya’schatterwithmarkeddispleasure。Shesighedandwassilent。
“Why，hewasaccusedofthemurder，”Razumihinwentonhotly。
“Wasthereevidenceagainsthimthen？”
“Evidence，indeed！Evidencethatwasnoevidence，andthat’swhatwehavetoprove。Itwasjustastheypitchedonthosefellows，KochandPestryakov，atfirst。Foo！howstupidlyit’salldone，itmakesonesick，thoughit’snotone’sbusiness！Pestryakovmaybecomingto-night。…Bytheway，Rodya，you’veheardaboutthebusinessalready；ithappenedbeforeyouwereill，thedaybeforeyoufaintedatthepoliceofficewhiletheyweretalkingaboutit。”
ZossimovlookedcuriouslyatRaskolnikov。Hedidnotstir。
“ButIsay，Razumihin，Iwonderatyou。Whatabusybodyyouare！”Zossimovobserved。
“MaybeIam，butwewillgethimoffanyway，”shoutedRazumihin，bringinghisfistdownonthetable。“What’sthemostoffensiveisnottheirlying—onecanalwaysforgivelying—lyingisadelightfulthing，foritleadstotruth—whatisoffensiveisthattheylieandworshiptheirownlying。…IrespectPorfiry，but…Whatthrewthemoutatfirst？Thedoorwaslocked，andwhentheycamebackwiththeporteritwasopen。SoitfollowedthatKochandPestryakovwerethemurderers—thatwastheirlogic！”
“Butdon’texciteyourself；theysimplydetainedthem，theycouldnothelpthat。…And，bytheway，I’vemetthatmanKoch。Heusedtobuyunredeemedpledgesfromtheoldwoman？Eh？”
“Yes，heisaswindler。Hebuysupbaddebts，too。Hemakesaprofessionofit。Butenoughofhim！Doyouknowwhatmakesmeangry？It’stheirsickeningrotten，petrifiedroutine。…Andthiscasemightbethemeansofintroducinganewmethod。Onecanshowfromthepsychologicaldataalonehowtogetonthetrackoftherealman。‘Wehavefacts，’theysay。Butfactsarenoteverything—atleasthalfthebusinessliesinhowyouinterpretthem！”
“Canyouinterpretthem，then？”
“Anyway，onecan’tholdone’stonguewhenonehasafeeling，atangiblefeeling，thatonemightbeahelpifonly。…Eh！Doyouknowthedetailsofthecase？”
“Iamwaitingtohearaboutthepainter。”
“Oh，yes！Well，here’sthestory。Earlyonthethirddayafterthemurder，whentheywerestilldandlingKochandPestryakov—thoughtheyaccountedforeverysteptheytookanditwasasplainasapikestaff—anunexpectedfactturnedup。ApeasantcalledDushkin，whokeepsadram-shopfacingthehouse，broughttothepoliceofficeajeweller’scasecontainingsomegoldear-rings，andtoldalongrigamarole。‘Thedaybeforeyesterday，justaftereighto’clock’—markthedayandthehour！—’ajourneymanhouse-painter，Nikolay，whohadbeenintoseemealreadythatday，broughtmethisboxofgoldear-ringsandstones，andaskedmetogivehimtworoublesforthem。WhenIaskedhimwherehegotthem，hesaidthathepickedthemupinthestreet。Ididnotaskhimanythingmore。’IamtellingyouDushkin’sstory。‘Igavehimanote’—aroublethatis—’forIthoughtifhedidnotpawnitwithmehewouldwithanother。Itwouldallcometothesamething—he’dspenditondrink，sothethinghadbetterbewithme。Thefurtheryouhideitthequickeryouwillfindit，andifanythingturnsup，ifIhearanyrumours，I’lltakeittothepolice。’Ofcourse，that’salltaradiddle；helieslikeahorse，forIknowthisDushkin，heisapawnbrokerandareceiverofstolengoods，andhedidnotcheatNikolayoutofathirty-roubletrinketinordertogiveittothepolice。Hewassimplyafraid。Butnomatter，toreturntoDushkin’sstory。‘I’veknownthispeasant，NikolayDementyev，fromachild；hecomesfromthesameprovinceanddistrictofZaraisk，wearebothRyazanmen。AndthoughNikolayisnotadrunkard，hedrinks，andIknewhehadajobinthathouse，paintingworkwithDmitri，whocomesfromthesamevillage，too。Assoonashegottheroublehechangedit，hadacoupleofglasses，tookhischangeandwentout。ButIdidnotseeDmitriwithhimthen。AndthenextdayIheardthatsomeonehadmurderedAlyonaIvanovnaandhersister，LizavetaIvanovna，withanaxe。Iknewthem，andIfeltsuspiciousabouttheear-ringsatonce，forIknewthemurderedwomanlentmoneyonpledges。Iwenttothehouse，andbegantomakecarefulinquirieswithoutsayingawordtoanyone。FirstofallIasked，“IsNikolayhere？”DmitritoldmethatNikolayhadgoneoffonthespree；hehadcomehomeatdaybreakdrunk，stayedinthehouseabouttenminutes，andwentoutagain。Dmitrididn’tseehimagainandisfinishingthejobalone。Andtheirjobisonthesamestaircaseasthemurder，onthesecondfloor。WhenIheardallthatIdidnotsayawordtoanyone’—that’sDushkin’stale—’butIfoundoutwhatIcouldaboutthemurder，andwenthomefeelingassuspiciousasever。Andateighto’clockthismorning’—thatwasthethirdday，youunderstand—’IsawNikolaycomingin，notsober，thoughnottosayverydrunk—hecouldunderstandwhatwassaidtohim。Hesatdownonthebenchanddidnotspeak。TherewasonlyonestrangerinthebarandamanIknewasleeponabenchandourtwoboys。“HaveyouseenDmitri？”saidI。“No，Ihaven’t，”saidhe。“Andyou’venotbeenhereeither？”“Notsincethedaybeforeyesterday，”saidhe。“Andwheredidyousleeplastnight？”“InPeski，withtheKolomenskymen。”“Andwheredidyougetthoseear-rings？”Iasked。“Ifoundtheminthestreet，”andthewayhesaiditwasabitqueer；hedidnotlookatme。“Didyouhearwhathappenedthatveryevening，atthatveryhour，onthatsamestaircase？”saidI。“No，”saidhe，“Ihadnotheard，”andallthewhilehewaslistening，hiseyeswerestaringoutofhisheadandheturnedaswhiteaschalk。Itoldhimallaboutitandhetookhishatandbegangettingup。Iwantedtokeephim。“Waitabit，Nikolay，”saidI，“won’tyouhaveadrink？”AndIsignedtotheboytoholdthedoor，andIcameoutfrombehindthebar；buthedartedoutanddownthestreettotheturningatarun。Ihavenotseenhimsince。Thenmydoubtswereatanend—itwashisdoing，asclearascouldbe。…’”
“Ishouldthinkso，”saidZossimov。
“Wait！Heartheend。OfcoursetheysoughthighandlowforNikolay；theydetainedDushkinandsearchedhishouse；Dmitri，too，wasarrested；theKolomenskymenalsowereturnedinsideout。AndthedaybeforeyesterdaytheyarrestedNikolayinatavernattheendofthetown。Hehadgonethere，takenthesilvercrossoffhisneckandaskedforadramforit。Theygaveittohim。Afewminutesafterwardsthewomanwenttothecowshed，andthroughacrackinthewallshesawinthestableadjoininghehadmadeanooseofhissashfromthebeam，stoodonablockofwood，andwastryingtoputhisneckinthenoose。Thewomanscreechedherhardest；peopleranin。‘Sothat’swhatyouareupto！’‘Takeme，’hesays，‘tosuch-and-suchapoliceofficer；I’llconfesseverything。’Well，theytookhimtothatpolicestation—thatishere—withasuitableescort。Sotheyaskedhimthisandthat，howoldheis，‘twenty-two，’andsoon。Atthequestion，‘WhenyouwereworkingwithDmitri，didn’tyouseeanyoneonthestaircaseatsuch-and-suchatime？’—answer:‘Tobesurefolksmayhavegoneupanddown，butIdidnotnoticethem。’‘Anddidn’tyouhearanything，anynoise，andsoon？’‘Weheardnothingspecial。’‘Anddidyouhear，Nikolay，thatonthesamedayWidowSo-and-soandhersisterweremurderedandrobbed？’‘Ineverknewathingaboutit。ThefirstIheardofitwasfromAfanasyPavlovitchthedaybeforeyesterday。’‘Andwheredidyoufindtheear-rings？’‘Ifoundthemonthepavement。“Whydidn’tyougotoworkwithDmitritheotherday？’‘BecauseIwasdrinking。’‘Andwherewereyoudrinking？’‘Oh，insuch-and-suchaplace。’‘WhydidyourunawayfromDushkin’s？’‘BecauseIwasawfullyfrightened。’‘Whatwereyoufrightenedof？’‘ThatIshouldbeaccused。’‘Howcouldyoubefrightened，ifyoufeltfreefromguilt？’Now，Zossimov，youmaynotbelieveme，thatquestionwasputliterallyinthosewords。Iknowitforafact，itwasrepeatedtomeexactly！Whatdoyousaytothat？”
“Well，anyway，there’stheevidence。”
“Iamnottalkingoftheevidencenow，Iamtalkingaboutthatquestion，oftheirownideaofthemselves。Well，sotheysqueezedandsqueezedhimandheconfessed:‘Ididnotfinditinthestreet，butintheflatwhereIwaspaintingwithDmitri。’‘Andhowwasthat？’‘Why，DmitriandIwerepaintingthereallday，andwewerejustgettingreadytogo，andDmitritookabrushandpaintedmyface，andheranoffandIafterhim。Iranafterhim，shoutingmyhardest，andatthebottomofthestairsIranrightagainsttheporterandsomegentlemen—andhowmanygentlemenwerethereIdon’tremember。Andtheportersworeatme，andtheotherporterswore，too，andtheporter’swifecameout，andsworeatus，too；andagentlemancameintotheentrywithalady，andhesworeatus，too，forDmitriandIlayrightacrosstheway。IgotholdofDmitri’shairandknockedhimdownandbeganbeatinghim。AndDmitri，too，caughtmebythehairandbeganbeatingme。Butwediditallnotfortemperbutinafriendlyway，forsport。AndthenDmitriescapedandranintothestreet，andIranafterhim；butIdidnotcatchhim，andwentbacktotheflatalone；Ihadtoclearupmythings。Ibeganputtingthemtogether，expectingDmitritocome，andthereinthepassage，inthecornerbythedoor，Isteppedonthebox。Isawitlyingtherewrappedupinpaper。Itookoffthepaper，sawsomelittlehooks，undidthem，andintheboxweretheear-rings。…’”
“Behindthedoor？Lyingbehindthedoor？Behindthedoor？”Raskolnikovcriedsuddenly，staringwithablanklookofterroratRazumihin，andheslowlysatuponthesofa，leaningonhishand。
“Yes…why？What’sthematter？What’swrong？”Razumihin，too，gotupfromhisseat。
“Nothing，”Raskolnikovansweredfaintly，turningtothewall。Allweresilentforawhile。
“Hemusthavewakedfromadream，”Razumihinsaidatlast，lookinginquiringlyatZossimov。Thelatterslightlyshookhishead。
“Well，goon，”saidZossimov。“Whatnext？”
“Whatnext？Assoonashesawtheear-rings，forgettingDmitriandeverything，hetookuphiscapandrantoDushkinand，asweknow，gotaroublefromhim。Hetoldaliesayinghefoundtheminthestreet，andwentoffdrinking。Hekeepsrepeatinghisoldstoryaboutthemurder:‘Iknownothingofit，neverheardofittillthedaybeforeyesterday。’‘Andwhydidn’tyoucometothepolicetillnow？’‘Iwasfrightened。’‘Andwhydidyoutrytohangyourself？’‘Fromanxiety。’‘Whatanxiety？’‘ThatIshouldbeaccusedofit。’Well，that’sthewholestory。Andnowwhatdoyousupposetheydeducedfromthat？”
“Why，there’snosupposing。There’saclue，suchasitis，afact。Youwouldn’thaveyourpaintersetfree？”
“Nowthey’vesimplytakenhimforthemurderer。Theyhaven’tashadowofdoubt。”
“That’snonsense。Youareexcited。Butwhatabouttheear-rings？Youmustadmitthat，ifontheverysamedayandhourear-ringsfromtheoldwoman’sboxhavecomeintoNikolay’shands，theymusthavecometheresomehow。That’sagooddealinsuchacase。”
“Howdidtheygetthere？Howdidtheygetthere？”criedRazumihin。“Howcanyou，adoctor，whosedutyitistostudymanandwhohasmoreopportunitythananyoneelseforstudyinghumannature—howcanyoufailtoseethecharacterofthemaninthewholestory？Don’tyouseeatoncethattheanswershehasgivenintheexaminationaretheholytruth？Theycameintohishandpreciselyashehastoldus—hesteppedontheboxandpickeditup。”
“Theholytruth！Butdidn’theownhimselfthathetoldalieatfirst？”
“Listentome，listenattentively。TheporterandKochandPestryakovandtheotherporterandthewifeofthefirstporterandthewomanwhowassittingintheporter’slodgeandthemanKryukov，whohadjustgotoutofacabatthatminuteandwentinattheentrywithaladyonhisarm，thatiseightortenwitnesses，agreethatNikolayhadDmitriontheground，waslyingonhimbeatinghim，whileDmitrihungontohishair，beatinghim，too。Theylayrightacrosstheway，blockingthethoroughfare。Theywereswornatonallsideswhilethey‘likechildren’(theverywordsofthewitnesses)werefallingoveroneanother，squealing，fightingandlaughingwiththefunniestfaces，and，chasingoneanotherlikechildren，theyranintothestreet。Nowtakecarefulnote。Thebodiesupstairswerewarm，youunderstand，warmwhentheyfoundthem！Ifthey，orNikolayalone，hadmurderedthemandbrokenopentheboxes，orsimplytakenpartintherobbery，allowmetoaskyouonequestion:dotheirstateofmind，theirsquealsandgigglesandchildishscufflingatthegatefitinwithaxes，bloodshed，fiendishcunning，robbery？They’djustkilledthem，notfiveortenminutesbefore，forthebodieswerestillwarm，andatonce，leavingtheflatopen，knowingthatpeoplewouldgothereatonce，flingingawaytheirbooty，theyrolledaboutlikechildren，laughingandattractinggeneralattention。Andthereareadozenwitnessestosweartothat！”
“Ofcourseitisstrange！It’simpossible，indeed，but…”
“No，brother，nobuts。Andiftheear-ringsbeingfoundinNikolay’shandsattheverydayandhourofthemurderconstitutesanimportantpieceofcircumstantialevidenceagainsthim—althoughtheexplanationgivenbyhimaccountsforit，andthereforeitdoesnottellseriouslyagainsthim—onemusttakeintoconsiderationthefactswhichprovehiminnocent，especiallyastheyarefactsthatcannotbedenied。Anddoyousuppose，fromthecharacterofourlegalsystem，thattheywillaccept，orthattheyareinapositiontoaccept，thisfact—restingsimplyonapsychologicalimpossibility—asirrefutableandconclusivelybreakingdownthecircumstantialevidencefortheprosecution？No，theywon’tacceptit，theycertainlywon’t，becausetheyfoundthejewel-caseandthemantriedtohanghimself，‘whichhecouldnothavedoneifhehadn’tfeltguilty。’That’sthepoint，that’swhatexcitesme，youmustunderstand！”
“Oh，Iseeyouareexcited！Waitabit。Iforgottoaskyou；whatproofistherethattheboxcamefromtheoldwoman？”
“That’sbeenproved，”saidRazumihinwithapparentreluctance，frowning。“Kochrecognisedthejewel-caseandgavethenameoftheowner，whoprovedconclusivelythatitwashis。”
“That’sbad。Nowanotherpoint。DidanyoneseeNikolayatthetimethatKochandPestryakovweregoingupstairsatfirst，andistherenoevidenceaboutthat？”
“Nobodydidseehim，”Razumihinansweredwithvexation。“That’stheworstofit。EvenKochandPestryakovdidnotnoticethemontheirwayupstairs，though，indeed，theirevidencecouldnothavebeenworthmuch。Theysaidtheysawtheflatwasopen，andthattheremustbeworkgoingoninit，buttheytooknospecialnoticeandcouldnotrememberwhetherthereactuallyweremenatworkinit。”
“Hm！…Sotheonlyevidenceforthedefenceisthattheywerebeatingoneanotherandlaughing。Thatconstitutesastrongpresumption，but…Howdoyouexplainthefactsyourself？”
“HowdoIexplainthem？Whatistheretoexplain？It’sclear。Atanyrate，thedirectioninwhichexplanationistobesoughtisclear，andthejewel-casepointstoit。Therealmurdererdroppedthoseear-rings。Themurdererwasupstairs，lockedin，whenKochandPestryakovknockedatthedoor。Koch，likeanass，didnotstayatthedoor；sothemurdererpoppedoutandrandown，too；forhehadnootherwayofescape。HehidfromKoch，PestryakovandtheporterintheflatwhenNikolayandDmitrihadjustrunoutofit。Hestoppedtherewhiletheporterandothersweregoingupstairs，waitedtilltheywereoutofhearing，andthenwentcalmlydownstairsattheveryminutewhenDmitriandNikolayranoutintothestreetandtherewasnooneintheentry；possiblyhewasseen，butnotnoticed。Therearelotsofpeoplegoinginandout。Hemusthavedroppedtheear-ringsoutofhispocketwhenhestoodbehindthedoor，anddidnotnoticehedroppedthem，becausehehadotherthingstothinkof。Thejewel-caseisaconclusiveproofthathedidstandthere。…That’showIexplainit。”
“Tooclever！No，myboy，you’retooclever。Thatbeatseverything。”
“But，why，why？”
“Why，becauseeverythingfitstoowell…it’stoomelodramatic。”
“A-ach！”Razumihinwasexclaiming，butatthatmomentthedooropenedandapersonagecameinwhowasastrangertoallpresent。
