Razumov here begins to understand that too."
His eyes which he turned upon Razumov seemed to be starting out of his
head. This grotesqueness of aspect no longer shocked Razumov. He said
with gloomy conviction--
"Haldin will never speak."
"That remains to be seen," muttered the General.
"I am certain," insisted Razumov. "A man like this never speaks....
Do you imagine that I am here from fear?" he added violently. He felt
ready to stand by his opinion of Haldin to the last extremity.
"Certainly not," protested the General, with great simplicity of tone.
"And I don't mind telling you, Mr. Razumov, that if he had not come
with his tale to such a staunch and loyal Russian as you, he would
have disappeared like a stone in the water... which would have had a
detestable effect," he added, with a bright, cruel smile under his stony
stare. "So you see, there can be no suspicion of any fear here."
The Prince intervened, looking at Razumov round the back of the
armchair.
"Nobody doubts the moral soundness of your action. Be at ease in that
respect, pray."
He turned to the General uneasily.
"That's why I am here. You may be surprised why I should...."
The General hastened to interrupt.
"Not at all. Extremely natural. You saw the importance...."
"Yes," broke in the Prince.
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