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"It's time for us to go, we are late. Come along, Alyoshka. We

must lock up," said the elder workman.

"Very well, come along," said Raskolnikov indifferently, and

going out first, he went slowly downstairs. "Hey, porter," he

cried in the gateway.

At the entrance several people were standing, staring at the

passers-by; the two porters, a peasant woman, a man in a long

coat and a few others. Raskolnikov went straight up to them.

"What do you want?" asked one of the porters.

"Have you been to the police office?"

"I've just been there. What do you want?"

"Is it open?"

"Of course."

"Is the assistant there?"

"He was there for a time. What do you want?"

Raskolnikov made no reply, but stood beside them lost in thought.

"He's been to look at the flat," said the elder workman, coming

forward.

"Which flat?"