"After all, you have had no real proof," said the Commissioner quietly.
"What do you mean by no proof, when the boys themselves have confessed it?"
"That doesn't count, they might deny it before the judge and there'd be no one to flog them there."
"How can they deny it? There are the constables who were witnesses," said Vershina confidently.
"Where are your witnesses? When you beat a man he'll confess anything, even something that never happened. They're rascals, of course, and they got what they deserved. But you'll get nothing out of them in court."
Minchukov smiled and looked calmly at Vershina.
Vershina left the Commissioner very dissatisfied, but after reflection admitted to herself that it was difficult to accuse Cherepnin, and that only publicity and scandal would come of it.
[1] nedotikomka, an invention of the author. The word means "the touch-me-not-creature." It is presumably an elemental, a symbol of the evil of the world. Sologub begins one of his poems—
"The grey Nedotikomka
Wriggles and turns, round and round me...."