All were silent, now and then shaking their heads, and refraining from looking at one another. It was quiet and gloomy. Sasha's words floated a long time over his auditors' heads touching nobody.
"If it was known that the people had been deceived, then why were they killed?" the unexpected question suddenly burst from Melnikov.
"Fool!" screamed Sasha. "Suppose you had been told that I was your wife's paramour, and you got drunk and came at me with a knife, what should I do? Should I tell you 'Strike!' even though you had been duped, and I was not guilty?"
Melnikov started to his feet, stretched himself, and bawled:
"Don't bark, you dog!"
A tremor ran through Yevsey at his words, and Viekov thin and nerveless, who sat beside him, whispered in fright:
"Oh, God! Hold him!"
Sasha clenched his teeth, thrust one hand into his pocket, and drew back. All the spies—there were many in the room—sat silent and motionless, and waited watching Sasha's hand. Melnikov waved his hat and walked slowly to the door.
"I'm not afraid of your pistol."
He slammed the door after him noisily. Viekov went to lock it, and said as he returned to his place: