You are not at all indispensable, my friend!" he went on in a coolly teasing tone.

"The black-eyed lassie shall enjoy herself at the fair all the same." The words were hardly spoken before Nikolai had wrenched himself free.
He swung the bundle, with the box in it, about him so that nobody could come near him, and darted like a flash of lightning upon Veyergang, exclaiming between his teeth: "It's the last time in your life that you'll say that!" One hand fumbled with Veyergang's coat, and the other dealt him a blow with the full weight of the box, so that he fell backwards on to the snow.
He did not get up again--did not stir.
There were cries and a tumult among the spectators.

Some cried "Murder," others for a doctor.

And all the while the music clashed and jingled in three directions.
A high police functionary attempted to quiet the excitement, and discreet hands bore the unconscious man out to a sledge, and drove him to the hospital.

All the excited wrath of the crowd was turned against the perpetrator of the deed, who was led out strongly guarded.
For safety's sake, out in the gate, irons were put on both his hands and his feet, and this was done in the midst of an ever-increasing crowd from the street.
But when there was a mention of taking him into the sledge, the girl threw herself upon him, and clung so tightly that it was impossible to tear her away.