The young man shrugged his shoulders, refolded the little pearl-trimmed cap, thrust it into his bosom again, and coldly replied:
"And if we cannot save this young man?"
"Then I shall keep my secret and you will never know where the girl is."
Old Hétfalusy sighed deeply.
"Bring me pen and paper," said he to his son-in-law.
The latter looked at him as if he did not understand.
The old man insisted impatiently.
"Place the table here and give me writing-materials, I say."
When he had got what he wanted he beckoned to the stranger.
"Listen, sir, to what I write," said he. Then he arose from his bed, took up the pen, and wrote with a trembling hand the following letter: