u, gentlemen, when he comes
back--to-day if need be--whether what I say is true. However," he broke
off suddenly with intense exasperation, as though he suddenly felt he
was doing people like them too much honour by wasting time in persuading
them, "however, do as you please. If you don't decide to do it,
the union is broken up--but solely through your insubordination and
treachery. In that case we are all independent from this moment. But
under those circumstances, besides the unpleasantness of Shatov's
betrayal and its consequences, you will have brought upon yourselves
another little unpleasantness of which you were definitely warned when
the union was formed. As far as I am concerned, I am not much afraid of
you, gentlemen.... Don't imagine that I am so involved with you.... But
that's no matter."

"Yes, we decide to do it," Liputin pronounced.

"There's no other way out of it," muttered Tolkatchenko, "and if only
Liputin confirms about Kirillov, then...

"I am against it; with all my soul and strength I protest against such a
murderous decision," said Virginsky, standing up.

"But?" asked Pyotr Stepanovitch....

"_But_ what?"

"You said _but_... and I am waiting."

"I don't think I did say _but_... I only meant to say that if you decide
to do it, then..."

"Then?"

Virginsky did not answer.

"I think that one is at liberty to neglect danger to one's own life,"
said Erkel, suddenly opening his mouth, "but if it may injure the cause,
then I consider one ought not to dare to neglect danger to one's
life...."

He broke off in confusion, blushing. Absorbed as they all were in their
own ideas, they all looked at him in amazement--it was such a surprise
that he too could speak.

"I am for the cause," Virginsky pronounced suddenly.

Every one got up. It was decided to communicate once more and make final
arrangements at midday on the morrow, though without meeting. The place
where the printing press was hidden was announced and each was assigned
his part and his duty. Liputin and Pyotr Stepanovitch promptly set off
together to Kirillov.

II

All our fellows believed that Shatov was going to betray them; but they
also believed that Pyotr Stepanovitch was playing with them like pawns.
And yet they knew, too, that in any case they would all meet on the spot
next day and that Shatov's fate was sealed. They suddenly felt like
flies caught in a web by a huge spider; they were furious, but they were
tremblin