discouraged it with a cold, repellent smile.

"No. That's of no importance to be sure--except that in respect of all
this curiosity being aroused by a very simple matter.... What is to
be done with it? It is unappeasable. I mean to say there is nothing to
appease it with. I happen to have been born a Russian with patriotic
instincts--whether inherited or not I am not in a position to say."

Razumov spoke consciously with elaborate steadiness.

"Yes, patriotic instincts developed by a faculty of independent
thinking--of detached thinking. In that respect I am more free than any
social democratic revolution could make me. It is more than probable
that I don't think exactly as you are thinking. Indeed, how could it be?
You would think most likely at this moment that I am elaborately lying
to cover up the track of my repentance."

Razumov stopped. His heart had grown too big for his breast. Councillor
Mikulin did not flinch.

"Why so?" he said simply. "I assisted personally at the search of your
rooms. I looked through all the papers myself. I have been greatly
impressed by a sort of political confession of faith. A very remarkable
document. Now may I ask for what purpose...."

"To deceive the police naturally," said Razumov savagely.... "What is
all this mockery? Of course you can send me straight from this room
to Siberia. That would be intelligible. To what is intelligible I can
submit. But I protest against this comedy of persecution. The whole
affair is becoming too comical altogether for my taste. A comedy of
errors, phantoms, and suspicions. It's positively indecent...."

Councillor Mikulin turned an attentive ear. "Did you say phantoms?" he
murmured.

"I could walk over dozens of them." Razumov, with an impatient wave of
his hand, went on headlong, "But, really, I must claim the right to be
done once for all with that man. And in order to accomplish this I shall
take the liberty...."

Razumov on his side of the table bowed slightly to the seated
bureaucrat.

"... To retire--simply to retire," he finished with great resolution.

He walked to the door, thinking, "Now he must show his hand. He must
ring and have me arrested before I am out of the building, or he must
let me go. And either way...."

An unhurried voice said--

"Kirylo Sidorovitch." Razumov at the door turned his head.

"To retire," he repeated.

"Where to?" asked Councillor Mikulin softly.

PART SECOND

I

In the conduc