Page 664 - the-idiot

other.’
Lebedeff strained his eyes and ears to take in what the
prince was saying. The latter was frowning more and more,
and walking excitedly up and down, trying not to look at
Lebedeff.
‘You see,’ he said, ‘I was given to understand that Ferdish-
enko was that sort of man,—that one can’t say everything
before him. One has to take care not to say too much, you
understand? I say this to prove that he really is, so to speak,
more likely to have done this than anyone else, eh? You un-
derstand? The important thing is, not to make a mistake.’
‘And who told you this about Ferdishenko?’
‘Oh, I was told. Of course I don’t altogether believe it. I
am very sorry that I should have had to say this, because
I assure you I don’t believe it myself; it is all nonsense, of
course. It was stupid of me to say anything about it.’
‘You see, it is very important, it is most important to
know where you got this report from,’ said Lebedeff, excit-
edly. He had risen from his seat, and was trying to keep step
with the prince, running after him, up and down. ‘Because
look here, prince, I don’t mind telling you now that as we
were going along to Wilkin’s this morning, after telling me
what you know about the fire, and saving the count and all
that, the general was pleased to drop certain hints to the
same effect about Ferdishenko, but so vaguely and clumsily
that I thought better to put a few questions to him on the
matter, with the result that I found the whole thing was an
invention of his excellency’s own mind. Of course, he only
lies with the best intentions; still, he lies. But, such being the