Page 829 of 1294

He still remained on his knees. Porfiry Petrovitch stood for some

moments as though meditating, but suddenly roused himself and

waved back the uninvited spectators. They instantly vanished and

closed the door. Then he looked towards Raskolnikov, who was

standing in the corner, staring wildly at Nikolay and moved

towards him, but stopped short, looked from Nikolay to

Raskolnikov and then again at Nikolay, and seeming unable to

restrain himself darted at the latter.

"You're in too great a hurry," he shouted at him, almost angrily.

"I didn't ask you what came over you.... Speak, did you kill

them?"

"I am the murderer.... I want to give evidence," Nikolay

pronounced.

"Ach! What did you kill them with?"

"An axe. I had it ready."

"Ach, he is in a hurry! Alone?"

Nikolay did not understand the question.

"Did you do it alone?"

"Yes, alone. And Mitka is not guilty and had no share in it."