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"You have to give information to the police," Porfiry replied,

with a most businesslike air, "that having learnt of this

incident, that is of the murder, you beg to inform the lawyer in

charge of the case that such and such things belong to you, and

that you desire to redeem them... or... but they will write to

you."

"That's just the point, that at the present moment," Raskolnikov

tried his utmost to feign embarrassment, "I am not quite in

funds... and even this trifling sum is beyond me... I only

wanted, you see, for the present to declare that the things are

mine, and that when I have money...."

"That's no matter," answered Porfiry Petrovitch, receiving his

explanation of his pecuniary position coldly, "but you can, if

you prefer, write straight to me, to say, that having been

informed of the matter, and claiming such and such as your

property, you beg..."

"On an ordinary sheet of paper?" Raskolnikov interrupted eagerly,

again interested in the financial side of the question.