Pausing for a moment, Pierre noticed several other men of the same kind hiding in the shadow of the house on both sides.

But neither Anna Mikhaylovna nor the footman nor the coachman, who could not help seeing these people, took any notice of them.

" It seems to be all right," Pierre concluded, and followed Anna Mikhaylovna.

She hurriedly ascended the narrow dimly lit stone staircase, calling to Pierre, who was lagging behind, to follow.