 With Raskolnikov's anger reaching fever pitch, Porfiry hints that he has a 'little surprise' for him behind the partition in his office, but at that moment there is a commotion outside the door and a young man (Mikolka the painter) bursts in, followed by some policemen.To both Porfiry and Raskolnikov's astonishment, Mikolka proceeds to loudly confess to the murders.Porfiry doesn't believe the confession, but he is forced to let Raskolnikov go.