But he understands his work … thoroughly. … Last year he cleared up a case of murder in which the police had hardly a clue. He is very, very anxious to make your acquaintance!”
“On what grounds is he so anxious?”
“Oh, it’s not exactly … you see, since you’ve been ill I happen to have mentioned you several times. … So, when he heard about you … about your being a law student and not able to finish your studies, he said, ‘What a pity!’ And so I concluded … from everything together, not only that; yesterday Zametov … you know, Rodya, I talked some nonsense on the way home to you yesterday, when I was drunk … I am afraid, brother, of your exaggerating it, you see.”
“What? That they think I am a madman? Maybe they are right,” he said with a constrained smile.
“Yes, yes. … That is, pooh, no! … But all that I said (and there was something else too) it