Whilst he paced through the empty rooms, he suddenly caught sight of something sparkling on the floor. It was a metal button which had fallen between a crevice in the boards. He picked it up, and it awoke memories of Fruzsinka, for it was to one of her gowns that it had belonged. He remembered so well the one; she had worn it that day when she had thrown her arms round his neck and besought him not to sacrifice his own and her happiness to an ungrateful people. Had he listened to her, perhaps she would have remained a good and true wife to him, and peace and happiness would have blessed his married life. Now it was all over and done with, and there without the mob was howling for his destruction. He threw the button out of the window, hastening to do away with such souvenirs. Presently from the market-square burst forth that indescribable murmur which rises from a distant crowd. The minutes seemed hours as he waited. At last a trampling of hoofs was heard; it was a lieutenant with an escort of half a dozen dragoons come to conduct Ráby to the court. "The magistrate, the notary, the councillors, are all re-elected," was the news they came to announce. Ráby was much annoyed that they should send an armed escort for him. "I can find the way by myself, and am not afraid of anyone," he said, and with that he took his documents under his arm, and set off to walk to the Town Hall. His self-possession impressed the crowd who silently made way for him. Besides, they stood in a wholesome awe of the dragoons who were drawn up in the market-place. Ráby entered the court-room where the commission was sitting. It was intolerably warm, and he could have fairly swooned as he entered the hot oppressive atmosphere, yet his strength of mind conquered his physical weakness and steeled his failing nerves. He began by making a formal and solemn protest against the way in which the election had been conducted, but it was not listened to. Then the district commissioner read out Ráby's protest and asked the complainant to formulate his grievance. Ráby laid his documents in order at the other end of the table, where they had prepared a place for him, and began to state his case at length; he quoted his documentary evidence, and promised to call witnesses for the prosecution. It goes without saying that his statements did not pass unchallenged by those most interested. After the case for the prosecution had been thus stated, the examination of its witnesses followed, but these were not so satisfactory as they might have been. None could tell much about the great treasure chest, except that they had heard such an one existed, but they had never seen it, and only knew of it by hearsay. Finally, no other evidence for the prosecution being forthcoming than the incriminating bills and the collected taxation-accounts, it was left for the municipality to justify themselves. For the defence of the officials collectively, the notary was called upon to speak.