"Now just wait! I fancy I can help you to find out. For two days past a letter has been lying here addressed to your wife. There--take it and read it." And he handed Ráby a sealed missive. "I, how can I open a letter which is directed to my wife?" he asked anxiously. "Yes, indeed, why not? Are not man and wife according to the Hungarian law one flesh? A letter addressed for the one can legally be opened by the other, and I would do it, if I incurred the galleys for it, my friend, if I were in your place. Just read it, and I will be the guarantee that I delivered it into your hands." Ráby opened the note with trembling fingers. It was in the handwriting of the judge, Petray, and though short, was quite intelligible. "My darling Fruzsinka, "From your own letter I see that you find it impossible to put up with your tyrant any longer. I thought as much long since. You do quite right in leaving him, and the sooner you get away from him the better; the man will come to no good. My house, as you know, will ever be a safe asylum for you. I await you with open arms. "Your devoted friend, "PETRAY." Ráby's eyes were no longer glazed and staring as heretofore; they shot sparks now. "Read it, my friend," he said, as he handed it to Mr. Leányfalvy. "Well, at any rate, now you know where you are." "Know it, indeed I do," answered Ráby, as he grimly folded up the note, and placed it in his coat pocket. "And pray what do you mean to do?" "First, I would have a four-horse coach." "You shall have it sure enough. And then----?" "Then I'll go home and fetch my pistols and sword; look for a second, and then--either he or I are dead men." "That's it! It's the only way. Only see to it that you think it out accurately. Suppose your opponent wants to fight with swords? Perhaps he's an out-and-out swordsman." "What does that matter? The sword will satisfy equally the duelling regulations, and will merely prove which of us can fence the better." "Good! But take this much warning. The judge is a very cunning man; you will have to be on your guard. Be careful not to be the first to draw the sword, else he'll be hanging round your neck an attainder in pursuance of an antiquated law which rules that 'he who first draws the sword shall be held to incur blood-guiltiness.'" "Many thanks, I'll remember your good advice."