"At all events away from Pressburg, old man."
"But which way? I think the best would be over the bridge, through the park."
"But very many people pass there. Someone might recognize me."
"Then straight along the Danube, down-stream; by morning you will reach the ferry at Mühlau, where they will ferry you over for two kreuzers. Have you some change? You must always have that. Men on foot must always pay in copper, or they will be suspected. It's a pity I didn't know sooner, I could have lent you a passport. You might have travelled as a baker's assistant."
"I shall travel as a 'legátus.'[52]"
[52] A travelling preacher. A kind of missionary sent out by the "Legatio."
"That will do finely."
Meantime we reached the end of the street. Lorand wished to bid us farewell.
"Oho!" said Márton, "we shall accompany you to the outskirts of the town; we cannot leave you alone until you are in a secure place, on the high-road. Do you know what? You two go on in advance and I shall remain close behind, pretending to be a little drunk. Patrols are in the street. If I sing loudly they will waste their attention on me, and will not bother you. If necessary, I shall pitch into them, and while they are running me in, you can go on. To you, Master Lorand, I give my stick for the journey. It's a good, honest stick. I have tramped all over Germany with it. Well, God bless you."
The old fellow squeezed Lorand's hand.