He was being used very
brutally. And the clerk had recognized Haldin perfectly. Less than half
an hour afterwards General T--- arrived at the Secretariat to examine
that prisoner personally.

"Aren't you astonished?" concluded the gaunt student.

"No," said Razumov roughly--and at once regretted his answer.

"Everybody supposed Haldin was in the provinces--with his people. Didn't
you?"

The student turned his big hollow eyes upon Razumov, who said
unguardedly--

"His people are abroad."

He could have bitten his tongue out with vexation. The student
pronounced in a tone of profound meaning--

"So! You alone were aware,..." and stopped.

"They have sworn my ruin," thought Razumov. "Have you spoken of this to
anyone else?" he asked with bitter curiosity.

The other shook his head.

"No, only to you. Our circle thought that as Haldin had been often heard
expressing a warm appreciation of your character...."

Razumov could not restrain a gesture of angry despair which the other
must have misunderstood in some way, because he ceased speaking and
turned away his black, lack-lustre eyes.

They moved side by side in silence. Then the gaunt student began to
whisper again, with averted gaze--

"As we have at present no one affiliated inside the fortress so as
to make it possible to furnish him with a packet of poison, we have
considered already some sort of retaliatory action--to follow very
soon...."

Razumov trudging on interrupted--

"Were you acquainted with Haldin? Did he know where you live?"

"I had the happiness to hear him speak twice," his companion answered in
the feverish whisper contrasting with the gloomy apathy of his face and
bearing. "He did not know where I live.... I am lodging poorly with
an artisan family.... I have just a corner in a room. It is not very
practicable to see me there, but if you should need me for anything I am
ready...."

Razumov trembled with rage and fear. He was beside himself, but kept his
voice low.

"You are not to come near me. You are not to speak to me. Never address
a single word to me. I forbid you."

"Very well," said the other submissively, showing no surprise whatever
at this abrupt prohibition. "You don't wish for secret reasons...
perfectly... I understand."

He edged away at once, not looking up even; and Razumov saw his gaunt,
shabby, famine-stricken figure cross the street obliquely with lowered
head and that peculiar exact motion of the feet.