"Well, I don't know whether you would ever have seen me again, if this young man had not dashed to our assistance; for he sprang forward and snatched the pistol from the hand of the robber,—who immediately took to his heels and ran away."
Topándy again shook his head, and said it was hard to believe.
"No doubt he still has the pistol in his pocket."
"Give it to me."
"But don't fool with it; it might go off and hurt somebody."
Lorand handed the pistol in question to Topándy. The barrel was of bronze, highly chased in silver.
"Curious!" exclaimed Topándy, examining the ornamentation. "This pistol bears the Sárvölgyi arms."
Without another word he put the weapon in his pocket, and shook hands with Lorand across the table.
"My boy, you are a fine fellow. I honor you for so bravely defending my people. Now I have the more reason in agreeing to your living henceforward under the same roof with me; unless you fear it may, through fault of mine, fall in upon you. What was the robber like?" he said, turning again to the women.
"We could not see him, because he put out the candle and ran away."