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"I'm studying the law you see! It's evident, e-vi-dent there's

something wrong here!" the young man cried hotly, and he ran

downstairs.

Koch remained. Once more he softly touched the bell which gave

one tinkle, then gently, as though reflecting and looking about

him, began touching the door-handle pulling it and letting it go

to make sure once more that it was only fastened by the hook.

Then puffing and panting he bent down and began looking at the

keyhole: but the key was in the lock on the inside and so nothing

could be seen.

Raskolnikov stood keeping tight hold of the axe. He was in a sort

of delirium. He was even making ready to fight when they should

come in. While they were knocking and talking together, the idea

several times occurred to him to end it all at once and shout to

them through the door. Now and then he was tempted to swear at

them, to jeer at them, while they could not open the door! "Only

make haste!" was the thought that flashed through his mind.