Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/288

 DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

were a few clouds in the sky. The street lamps were burning. A drunken man, who was struggling and screaming, was being thrown out of a public-house. Hippolyte frowned and went back to his room. His one wish was to end everything as quickly as possible. He walked into the room, looked sternly at Bender, who was sleeping peacefully, took off his glasses, polished them, and then put them on again. He picked up the razor off the window-siU. There were daubs of dry oil paint on its rough edge. He put the razor in his pocket, passed Bender without looking at him, but he could hear his even breathing. He went out into the corridors, where everything was unusually quiet. Every one had gone to bed. Hippolyte smiled to himself in a most sinister manner, passed his hand over his forehead and smiled again. He went as far as the staircase and listened attentively. There was not a sound. He stole back into the room, took the twenty roubles from Bender’s coat, which was hanging over the back of a chair, put the pincers into his pocket, pulled his cap well over his eyes, and then listened again. Bender was stiU fast asleep and was breathing evenly. Hippolyte’s head was throbbing. Without hurrying he rolled up his right sleeve well above his elbow, wound a towel round his bare arm, went to the door, took the razor from his pocket, and after measuring with his eye the distance between Bender and the door, he switched off the light. But the room remained slightly lit by the street lamp. ‘ AU the better,’ thought Hippolyte as he went up to Bender’s side. Then he stretched out his right arm ; with aU his strength he slashed at Bender’s throat with the razor, immediately withdrew it, and jumped away to the waU. The great schemer uttered a sound like water gurgling in a tap. Hippolyte, avoiding any bloodstains, crept towards the door and looked over his shoulder at Bender who was lying