"But, suppose we pay you in advance, and you don't turn up?" said Raining anxiously.
The robber looked at the quartermaster proudly.
"Do you take me for a common swindler?" said he. Then he turned with a movement of confiding expansion to the other gentlemen.
"We understand each other better," he remarked. "Your honours may depend upon me. God be with you."
With that he turned his horse and galloped off into the darkness. The three gentlemen were conducted back to Ladány.
"Marvellous fellow, this Kökényesdi," said Raining, who had scarce recovered yet from his astonishment.
"You mustn't believe all the yarns he chooses to tell you," said Topay.
"What!" inquired Raining. "Had he then no communications with the French and English Courts?"
"No more than his grandmother."
"Then how about those treasures of which he spoke?"