Pagina 836 di 1294

How would they have parted if it had not been for the unexpected

appearance of Nikolay?

Porfiry had shown almost all his cards--of course, he had risked

something in showing them--and if he had really had anything up

his sleeve (Raskolnikov reflected), he would have shown that,

too. What was that "surprise"? Was it a joke? Had it meant

anything? Could it have concealed anything like a fact, a piece

of positive evidence? His yesterday's visitor? What had become of

him? Where was he to-day? If Porfiry really had any evidence, it

must be connected with him....

He sat on the sofa with his elbows on his knees and his face

hidden in his hands. He was still shivering nervously. At last he

got up, took his cap, thought a minute, and went to the door.