Pagina 826 di 1294

"Ah, they're coming," cried Raskolnikov. "You've sent for them!

You expected them! Well, produce them all: your deputies, your

witnesses, what you like!... I am ready!"

But at this moment a strange incident occurred, something so

unexpected that neither Raskolnikov nor Porfiry Petrovitch could

have looked for such a conclusion to their interview.

CHAPTER VI

When he remembered the scene afterwards, this is how Raskolnikov

saw it.

The noise behind the door increased, and suddenly the door was

opened a little.

"What is it?" cried Porfiry Petrovitch, annoyed. "Why, I gave

orders..."

For an instant there was no answer, but it was evident that there

were several persons at the door, and that they were apparently

pushing somebody back.

"What is it?" Porfiry Petrovitch repeated, uneasily.

"The prisoner Nikolay has been brought," someone answered.

"He is not wanted! Take him away! Let him wait! What's he doing

here? How irregular!" cried Porfiry, rushing to the door.