and still more that wretch Zametov!... You are right, there was something about him — but why? Why?”

“He has changed his mind since last night.”

“Quite the contrary! If they had that brainless idea, they would do their utmost to hide it, and conceal their cards, so as to catch you afterwards... But it was all impudent and careless.”

“If they had had facts — I mean, real facts — or at least grounds for suspicion, then they would certainly have tried to hide their game, in the hope of getting more (they would have made a search long ago besides). But they have no facts, not one. It is all mirage — all ambiguous. Simply a floating idea. So they try to throw me out by impudence.