第224页 / 共1294页

Then a strange idea entered his head; that, perhaps, all his

clothes were covered with blood, that, perhaps, there were a

great many stains, but that he did not see them, did not notice

them because his perceptions were failing, were going to

pieces... his reason was clouded.... Suddenly he remembered that

there had been blood on the purse too. "Ah! Then there must be

blood on the pocket too, for I put the wet purse in my pocket!"

In a flash he had turned the pocket inside out and, yes!--there

were traces, stains on the lining of the pocket!