Chapter VI. A Busy Night

Virginsky tries to halt the plan by informing the quintet that Shatov, newly reconciled by his wife’s return and childbirth, will not inform. At the dark grotto near Skvoreshniki, Pyotr Stepanovitch arrives with lanterns and pushes for action despite objections from Shigalov and Virginsky. Shigalov pointedly withdraws. Liputin signals Erkel and Shatov, and the group springs an ambush.

Erkel, Tolkatchenko, and Liputin seize Shatov as Pyotr Stepanovitch steps in and shoots him point-blank. In shock and panic, the conspirators lash stones to the corpse and carry it to the far pond, where they sink it. Lyamshin suffers a hysterical breakdown; Virginsky wails that it is “not the right thing,” while Pyotr Stepanovitch berates and controls them.

Afterwards, Pyotr Stepanovitch coolly reassures Liputin that betrayal means Siberia and that none will dare turn traitor. He goes to Kirillov, who rages at news of Shatov’s murder but is maneuvered into signing a brief confession letter implicating himself, Shatov, and Fedka. Their tense philosophical exchange culminates in Kirillov fleeing to the next room.

When Pyotr Stepanovitch intrudes, Kirillov ambushes and bites him, then, after a terrifying standoff in the dark, shoots himself. Pyotr Stepanovitch recovers the staged confession and slips away by Fedka’s hidden exit.

Before dawn, at the station, Pyotr Stepanovitch entrusts Erkel with holding the shattered group together and boards the express, relocating to first class with casual acquaintances. Erkel, left uneasy and hurt by Pyotr Stepanovitch’s abrupt farewell, returns home burdened by the night’s crimes and new responsibilities.