But the chief of the police complained loudly when he heard who his guest was, and made a very wry face at Ráby's name.
"H'm," he said doubtfully, "I have received orders from the governor of the city to deliver over to him the prisoner Ráby if he should come into my power."
"But we bring you the imperial mandate," exclaimed the others, "that you give a shelter here to the noble gentleman, Mr. Mathias Ráby, who is one of his Majesty's chamberlains."
"Well, my friend," answered the Buda official, "remember that his Majesty is far away, while his Excellency is near."
"Surely the Emperor is a greater man than the governor of Pesth," cried Mr. Plötzlich indignantly.
"Well, you will see for yourselves," retorted the Buda chief, "you don't know the Pesth authorities as well as I do."
"Yes, but remember we have instructions from the Kaiser," they answered.
"You had better go and interview him yourselves."
And off they went, leaving Ráby under the shelter of the Austrian authorities.