"ButIshallbeasked: Whatabouttheenvelopeonthefloor? Yes, it'—ofhimself, observe—thatbutforthatenvelope, butforitsbeingleftonthefloor, nooneintheworldwouldhaveknownoftheexistenceofthatenvelopeandthenotesinit, andthereforeoftheprisoner', bytheprosecutor'sownadmission, thesoleproofonwhichthechargeofrobberyrests, 'otherwisenoonewouldhaveknownoftherobbery, norperhapsevenofthemoney.' Butisthemerefactthatthatscrapofpaperwaslyingontheflooraproofthattherewasmoneyinit, andthatthatmoneyhadbeenstolen? Yet, itwillbeobjected, , whenhadheseenitforthelasttime, Iaskyouthat? ItalkedtoSmerdyakov, , lockedupaloneinimpatientandhystericalexpectationoftheobjectofhisadoration, mayhavewhiledawaythetimebybreakingopentheenvelopeandtakingoutthenotes.'What'stheuseoftheenvelope?' hemayhaveaskedhimself.'Shewon'tbelievethenotesarethere, butwhenIshowherthethirtyrainbow-colorednotesinoneroll, itwillmakemoreimpression, youmaybesure, itwillmakehermouthwater.' Andsohetearsopentheenvelope, takesoutthemoney, andflingstheenvelopeonthefloor, consciousofbeingtheowneranduntroubledbyanyfearsofleavingevidence.

"Listen, gentlemen, couldanythingbemorelikelythanthistheoryandsuchanaction? Whyisitoutofthequestion? Butifanythingofthesortcouldhavetakenplace, thechargeofrobberyfallstotheground; iftherewasnomoney, , whymayInotmaintaintheopposite, thattheenvelopewasonthefloorbecausethemoneyhadbeentakenfromitbyitsowner?