Part 26 (2/2)
”I'm going to see the Gulyash at Kishlak.”
”Running after your husband, I dare say? Possibly the Gulyash knows where he is. What news is there in your village?”
”You ought to know it,” replied Susi. ”They tell me you were there with my husband?”
”Do you mean to say with Viola? Why, was _he_ in the village?”
”Are you indeed ignorant of that robbery--you know, at the notary's?”
”Ah! I understand they've sacked his house. Well, didn't I say as much?
When they told me that Viola came to the house, I knew the affair would end in a robbery. There isn't the like of Viola in three counties; there's no joking with him!”
”Don't talk in this way! I'll never believe that Viola had a hand in it.”
”All I know is, that I don't know any thing about it--but who can have done it?”
”They say you did it.”
”They say? Who says so? Is it Peti, the gipsy?”
”I have not seen Peti since he went to Dustbury; but the smith who pursued you told me so.”
”Whoever says so is mad, and the smith more than any. He'd not live to boast of his boldness if he'd dared to run after me. I'd like to know what he pretends to have known me by? not my bunda, I hope. Curse me if it's dirtier than any body else's! Good bye; it's time for me to be off!” And the robber turned into the road which led to Garatsh. As Susi looked after him, a carriage pa.s.sed her with Mr. Catspaw, who was on his way to the same place. He overtook Tzifra; the carriage stopped, and after a short conversation, the robber jumped on the back seat, and the carriage drove off.
Susi was greatly astonished. She walked as fast as she could; but still darkness began to set in when she reached the Tanya, where she found the Gulyash and Peti.
”Have you seen any thing of Tzifra?” asked the gipsy.
”Yes, I have.”
”Where was he?”
Susi told them of her meeting with the robber. Peti listened with deep anxiety, and his features expressed the greatest despair when she told him that Mr. Catspaw had taken the robber with him to Garatsh.
”He's dished!” cried he at length. ”He's done for! If I don't come in time, they'll nab him!”
”For G.o.d's sake, what is the matter?” said Susi, trembling.
”I can't, I must be off! Ishtvan will tell you all about it. I'll take the shortest road to the St. Vilmosh forest; get your horses, and come after me as fast as you can. You know the place. Perhaps we can manage to reach it before the justice's men. The Theiss has not run over this season; so, for G.o.d's sake, Ishtvan, don't spare your horses!” And the gipsy started off at the top of his speed.
Susi was at a loss to understand the behaviour of the two men: but seeing clearly that some danger threatened her husband, she asked with a trembling voice what had happened.
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