"No, I don't know that. But I know your law is damned hard on women."
"And this Tueski woman—why did she get this permit for—your sister?" He paused on the word.
"Wanted her out of the way, that's all."
"Is what she says true—all true?"
"That depends on what she says."
"It's a strange tale. That you're not what you call yourself; that you've taken the place of Lieutenant Alexis Petrovitch; that you're a Nihilist of the Nihilists; that you murdered her husband; and that she has the proofs of all this."
"Why did you arrest her?" I asked, as an idea occurred to me.
"That," he said, pointing to the permit.
"Did she volunteer her statement?"
A laugh of diabolical cunning spread over his face.