“No. As to the knife,” he added, “this is all I can tell you about it.” He was silent for a moment, and then said, “I took it out of the locked drawer this morning about three, for it was in the early morning all this⁠—happened. It has been inside the book ever since⁠—and⁠—and⁠—this is what is such a marvel to me, the knife only went in a couple of inches at most, just under her left breast, and there wasn’t more than half a tablespoonful of blood altogether, not more.”

“Yes⁠—yes⁠—yes⁠—” The prince jumped up in extraordinary agitation. “I know, I know, I’ve read of that sort of thing⁠—it’s internal haemorrhage, you know. Sometimes there isn’t a drop⁠—if the blow goes straight to the heart⁠—”

“Wait⁠—listen!” cried Rogojin, suddenly, starting up. “Somebody’s walking about, do you hear? In the hall.” Both sat up to listen.

“I hear,” said the prince in a whisper, his eyes fixed on Rogojin.

“Footsteps?”