The prisoner immediately handed it back to him.
"It is not you who are the accusers in this matter, but rather I," he said haughtily. "It is for me to impeach you, not the reverse. I refuse to accept it."
"Take care," cried Laskóy. "Weigh well the consequences of this rejection. If you do not receive the indictment, we will soon tackle you as a contumacious criminal."
"I dare you to do it," returned Ráby.
"The man is a fool; he shall take it," cried Laskóy, beside himself with rage.
Ráby folded his arms proudly, so that they should not force it on him.
"Mr. lieutenant, witness that he will not take it and draw up a warrant of attainder for contumacity."
The lieutenant proceeded to carry out these instructions.
"And while you are about it, certify that I threw the document out of the room," said Ráby, suiting the action to the word.
This was an unheard-of audacity. The three men withdrew uttering violent threats.