"Well we happen to know, because we intercepted the letter at the post-office, you see."
"What, you have dared to intercept my correspondence!" cried Ráby enraged.
"Yes, and what's more, we have opened the letter and read it, and have submitted it to a committee of inquiry."
"But this is an unheard-of insult!" exclaimed Ráby, rising from his seat in uncontrollable anger.
"Oh, you are getting angry, are you? I guessed you would be, when you heard it; that's why I begged your pardon when I came in. But it doesn't alter the fact that I am sent to arrest you in the name of the municipality, on a charge of treason against the authorities, and am ordered to commit you to prison forthwith."
Petray said all this in such a jesting tone, that the "pope" who had kept his seat at table, imagined he was simply joking. He poured out a glass of wine and offered it to the judge, saying as he did so:
"Here have done with your jests, and drink this, your worship; no one believes what you are saying! Come, let us toast one another!"
The "pope" was a vigorous, dignified looking man in the prime of life, with a round rosy face. He beamed again with benevolence as he pledged the judge.
Yet Petray did not take the proffered glass, but stiffened himself and stood in a judicial attitude, with his hand on the hilt of his sword, while he said in a stern tone:
"Here there is no matter for jesting, I am sent by the Pesth County Assembly to arrest Mr. Mathias Ráby as a criminal, wherever I may find him."