While his left hand he held the wounded assassin, he began searching, groping for the right, the cord of the curtain: it lasted a long time, finally he seized him and tore him. He himself was surprised, later, the extraordinary effort it necessitated. During those three minutes, neither one nor the other left out a word. The only sound was their heavy breathing and the thump of the fight. Being able to finally tie the arms of Pavel Pavlovich back behind his back, Velchaninov threw her down, stood up, drew aside the curtain and raised the blind.