"It is a place of historical interest," said Renwick easily, "a Schloss or two perhaps."
"Javorina—Jägerhorn, yes—but mere ruins, long ago the property of the Rakoczi family. And Szolnok——" Here the man paused, glanced at the girl and the woman, and they both made the sign of the cross with their forefingers at their breasts.
In the slight period of embarrassment which followed, Renwick regarded them with a new interest. The old crone at the fireside, who had been leaning forward with a hand cupped at her ear, caught the significance of the gesture and solemnly imitated them.
"Ah, I remember now," said Renwick with an air of seriousness which matched their own. "Was it not at Szolnok that Baron Neudeck was killed?"
The old man glanced at the others before speaking.
"Yes. It was there," he said quietly.
"And the place is no longer occupied?" asked the Englishman.
No one replied.
"There is a mystery attached to Schloss Szolnok?" asked Renwick, lighting his pipe.
"He asks if there is a mystery," said the woman dully. And then followed as before the strange ceremony of the cross.