Thomas Bodza now produced the box of bismuth that had been found in the castle, and, cautiously opening it, placed it in front of the old squire.
"You old sinner," said he, "answer my questions truly. Why did they send you so much poison?"
The old gentleman remained silent.
The gipsy savagely belaboured his dove-white head with the heavy whip.
At the sound of the blows, an angry voice suddenly resounded from behind the master's back.
"Hold hard, hold hard! you blockheads, you brutes, you stupid numbskulls!"
Bodza, in his terror, sprang from his seat, and the astonished multitude beheld Dr. Sarkantyús running hastily towards them along the hall.
The worthy man had been well concealed with young Széphalmi in a blind niche, in the chimney corner, whence he had listened to the whole horrible tragedy; but when it came to accusing someone of poisoning people with his drugs, he could stand it no longer, but kicked open the tapestried door, and rushed out among the rioters.
Young Széphalmi swooned with terror when his hiding-place was discovered, so that they had to drag him out by the feet.
The unexpected joy of laying hands upon a couple of fresh victims whom they had long sought in vain, whetted the appetite of the mob for more blood. They kept pummelling Széphalmi till he came to again, and tied the physician back to back with Hétfalusy.