第819页 / 共1294页

"Yes, I do," went on Porfiry, touching Raskolnikov's arm

genially, "you must take care of your illness. Besides, your

mother and sister are here now; you must think of them. You must

soothe and comfort them and you do nothing but frighten them..."

"What has that to do with you? How do you know it? What concern

is it of yours? You are keeping watch on me and want to let me

know it?"

"Good heavens! Why, I learnt it all from you yourself! You don't

notice that in your excitement you tell me and others everything.

From Razumihin, too, I learnt a number of interesting details

yesterday. No, you interrupted me, but I must tell you that, for

all your wit, your suspiciousness makes you lose the common-sense

view of things. To return to bell-ringing, for instance. I, an

examining lawyer, have betrayed a precious thing like that, a

real fact (for it is a fact worth having), and you see nothing in

it! Why, if I had the slightest suspicion of you, should I have

acted like that? No, I should first have disarmed your suspicions

and not let you see I knew of that fact, should have diverted

your attention and suddenly have dealt you a knock-down blow

(your expression) saying: 'And what were you doing, sir, pray, at

ten or nearly eleven at the murdered woman's flat and why did you

ring the bell and why did you ask about blood?