But the inspector paid no attention to him, he was absorbed in the game.
"Quite lost," he repeated mechanically, "and he twisted poor Poluektov's neck—ah! ah!"
"Kirya, do stop that, ah! ah!" said his wife. "Be quick!"
"Patience, patience."
"He must be a smart fellow who murdered him," remarked Ilya.
The indifference with which his words were received roused in him a desire to speak of the murder.
"Smart?" said the inspector slowly. "No! I am the smart fellow! There!" and he played a five, slapping the card down on the table. Ilya could not follow suit, and lost the round.
The husband and wife laughed at him, and he grew more restive. As he was dealing, he said defiantly:
"To kill a man in broad daylight, in the main street of the town, that takes some courage."
"Luck, not courage," Tatiana corrected.