A number of Red soldiers were loafing in front of a low house. They wore flat caps ornamented with red ribbons, and red-bordered blouses after the Russian pattern. This group impressed me strangely and filled me with anxiety: they were not Hungarian soldiers, they were enemies. They were the armed servants of a foreign power, the sole relics of our disbanded army! The Red army! Hungarian national guards, Hungarian hussars, were you disbanded to become like these? This was the first time I had seen the Red guards of the Soviet. Behind the soldiers the walls were posted with orders and regulations. A door was wide open and machine-guns could be seen pointing from the disordered yard within. A few steps further a woman was standing on the pavement talking through an open window. She kept glancing anxiously behind her and I heard her sigh. Nowadays only those who look round in fear and sigh can be trusted, so I went up to her. “Can you tell me where M. Sárkány, the magistrate, lives?” “That door there.” The woman looked frightened and went away quickly. I entered a small house. “No, Comrade Sárkány is not in, he has left town.” The earth seemed to give way under me. What was I to do? Could they let me in, I asked. I had come from far and was tired. But it was no good. Then I said I had a message, and at this I was allowed to enter. It was still early in the day. I had a long time to wait. Then Mme. Sárkány came in. While she read Baron Jeszenszky’s letter, she became more and more excited. “Then.... I see.... That is the reason ... the Reds have been looking this morning for a lady and a gentleman.” I thought of Charles Kiss. Was it possible they were looking for us? “You cannot stay here,” said Mme. Sárkány. “The house is watched. Bokányi has come from Budapest and is going to give an address in the market place. There are journalists with him. They are going to be quartered here and they are sure to recognise you.” She turned very pale. “No, you cannot stay here. The best thing you can do is to take the next train and travel on to Hatvan.” The instinct of self-preservation rebelled in me so that I was astonished at the heat with which I replied: “That would be to run straight into the prison gate. Why does everybody send me nearer Budapest, when the train is the most likely place where I could be recognised?” “Here you are not in safety for a minute.” “If I could get a carriage....” Then a sudden idea came to me. “I could go to Iklad, to Countess Ráday....” Mme. Sárkány nodded and left the room at once. How long she was away I could not tell, I only know that she came back once more and told me to get ready as there would be a carriage for me presently. I was very cold, and asked for a cup of tea. Then I hesitated before making my next request. Could I have a few matches? In great haste she gave me some. “Be quick.... Be quick!”