a couple of months ago to make the acquaintance of the younger Karamazov, Alexey Fyodorovitch, and promised you twenty-five roubles, if you would bring him to her in his monastic dress. And that actually took place on the evening of the day on which the terrible crime, which is the subject of the present investigation, was committed. You brought Alexey Karamazov to Madame Svyetlov, and did you receive the twenty-five roubles from Madame Svyetlov as a reward, that’s what I wanted to hear from you?”
“It was a joke. … I don’t see of what interest that can be to you. … I took it for a joke … meaning to give it back later. …”
“Then you did take—But you have not given it back yet … or have you?”
“That’s of no consequence,” muttered Rakitin, “I refuse to answer such questions. … Of course I shall give it back.”
The President intervened, but Fetyukovitch declared he had no more