Conversing thus, they reached home. Gronski surrendered Marynia to Pani Otocka's care and when, after a moment, Hanka appeared, he related to them everything which had occurred. He likewise had to quiet Pani Otocka, who, knowing of the letters, took the whole occurrence very much to heart and announced that immediately after the concert they would leave for Zalesin, and afterwards go abroad. After the lapse of a half hour he left and on the stairs met Ladislaus.
"God be praised," he said, "I see that it did not end with the police. Do you know that the man was Laskowicz?"
"And it seemed so to me," said Ladislaus with animation; "but this one had light hair. How is Marynia?"
"She was frightened a little but now is well. Both ladies are at her side and dandle her like a little chicken. They are so occupied with her that Pani Otocka certainly will not receive you."
"And I thought so; especially, if she is there," answered Ladislaus, with bitterness; "so I will only leave my card and will return at once. Do you care to wait for me?"
"Very well."
Accordingly, he returned after a while, and when they were on the street, he began to say:
"Yes! and to me it seemed that he was Laskowicz but I was puzzled by the light tuft of hair on his head and the spectacles. After all there was no time for thinking."
"Listen--you undoubtedly cudgelled him?" asked Gronski.
And Ladislaus answered reluctantly: