Part 55 (2/2)

”Well, we'll see about that. I am Lady Rety's coachman, and have the honour of wearing her livery. I should like to see the notary kick me!”

And Ferko tore himself from the grasp of the ferryman, and rushed into the house, accompanied by the men who came from the Castle.

The old man remained outside, heartily praying that the servants of the place would seize Ferko and his companions, and give them a thorough whipping.

However bold the coachman might have felt in entering the house, he was penitent and abashed when Mr. Tengelyi, who had only just come in, and had not had time to throw off his bunda, stepped out of his room, and said, in a commanding voice, ”What do you want here?”

For a moment they stood speechless; but when, gradually regaining confidence, Ferko told the notary that Mr. Catspaw had been murdered, and that they had traced the robber's footsteps up to his door, Mr.

Tengelyi became much distressed. He thought of Viola's letter, and could not doubt for a moment that the outlaw had perpetrated this dreadful act to gain possession of the papers. Perhaps he was, though unconsciously, the cause of the murder. This thought made the notary shudder. The coachman and his companions remarked the effect their news produced upon him, and looked amazed at each other, while Tengelyi stood motionless, with the candle trembling in his hand. By degrees he regained his self-possession, and began to inquire how the murder was committed?

when? and where?

”We followed the robber to the banks of the Theiss, where we suddenly lost him,” said the coachman, casting occasional glances at the notary's boots, which were covered with mud, and at his companions; ”from there we have traced his footsteps to your house.”

”I beg your pardon,” said the ferryman, stepping forward; ”we have found foot-marks leading to this place, it is true; but whether they are the robber's marks or not, I cannot say. And you know I said we ought not to enter this house, that it was a n.o.bleman's curia, but----”

”You are mad!” said the notary, with indignation. ”If you think a murderer is secreted in my house, search, and leave no corner unexamined!”

The inmates became alarmed by the noise; and Ershebet and Vilma got up and hastily dressed themselves; while the notary, with a lantern in his hand, led the way into every room and nook of his house, until they were convinced that the robber was not there.

”Did you see,” said Ferko to the ferryman, holding him back; ”did you see how he trembled when I mentioned the murder of the attorney?”

”Of course I did. Do you think I am blind?”

”And his boots too were up to the ankles in mud,” continued Ferko.

”That's no wonder, in such weather as this,” answered the ferryman; ”ours are nearly up to the knees in mud.”

”By G.o.d! If I had not known him these ten years, I would----”

”You don't mean to say that you suspect the notary of the murder of Catspaw, do you?” demanded the ferryman, with warmth.

”If n.o.body else had been in the house, upon my soul I'd believe it!”

”You are a fool, Ferko!” exclaimed the old man, turning round in the direction of the Castle, whither all the others repaired in silence.

During the search Mr. Tengelyi had been summoned in great haste to the Castle.

NOTES TO VOL. II.

NOTE I.

BUZOGANY.

Among the characteristic weapons of the ancient Hungarians was the buzogany, a short staff, with a heavy k.n.o.b of precious metal at the end.

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