his room with an even step and without looking round.

“If it had not been for Liza nothing of this would have happened,” I decided inwardly. Then, after waiting a minute, I went myself behind his screen with a dignified and solemn air, though my heart was beating slowly and violently.

“Apollon,” I said quietly and emphatically, though I was breathless, “go at once without a minute's delay and fetch the police-officer.”

He had meanwhile settled himself at his table, put on his spectacles and taken up some sewing.

But, hearing my order, he burst into a guffaw.

“At once, go this minute! Go on, or else you can't imagine what will happen.”