Then he looked round him. "Tell my cook to provide two covers; I don't like eating by myself, and don't want other people to look on while I dine."
"The gentleman here is on invalid diet, and has light meals served from upstairs," said the gaoler.
Ráby turned his back on the new-comer; he did not want him to think he troubled his head about him.
"Never mind that, let the dinner be served for two, I tell you, and there will be all the more over for those who want it."
"May it please your worship, the prisoners must go to bed at eight o'clock every night, and make no noise, for the deputy-lieutenant lives just overhead."
"All right. But, Janosics, you must not let the prisoners go clanking up and down the corridor with their chains; the noise gets on my nerves, I can't stand it! Now you can go, and if I want anything, I'll just knock on the door, so the guard had better be on the alert. But let them take care to wipe their boots before coming in."
The gaoler and heydukes blundered out of the room, and the new arrival turned to look at his companion. He appeared a jovial sort of person, and to be very genially disposed.
"So it is Mr. Mathias Ráby after all," murmured the stranger with a smile.
Ráby looked sharply at him. "You have the advantage of me," he said.
The new-comer laughed slily. "Ah, I recognise you well enough, but perhaps you don't remember me, though we have met before?"