was all.

I thought that was the end of the joke. When they let me go I hurried to
Lorand. I was proudly conscious of my successful attempt to rescue my
elder brother.

CHAPTER VIII

THE END OF THE BEGINNING

Her ladyship, the beautiful wife of Balnokhazy, was playing with her
parrot, when her husband entered her chamber.

The lady was very fond of this creature--I mean of the parrot.

"Well, my dear," said Balnokhazy, "has Koko learned already to utter
Lorand's name?"

"Not yet."

"Well, he will soon learn. By the bye, do you know that Parliament is
dissolved. Mr. Balnokhazy may now take his seat in peace beside his
wife."

"As far as I am concerned, it may dissolve."

"Well, perhaps you will be interested so far; the good dancers will now
go home. The young men of Parliament will disperse to their several
homes."

"I don't wish to detain them."

"Of course not. Why, Lorand will remain here. But even Lorand will with
difficulty be able to remain here. He must fly."

"What do you say?"

"What I ought not to say out. Nor would I tell anyone other than you, my
dear, as we agreed. Do you understand?"

"Partly. You are referring to the matter of secret journalism?"

"Yes, my dear, and to other matters which I have heard from you."

"Yes, from me. I told you frankly, what Lorand related to me in
confidence, believing that I shared his enthusiastic ideas. I told you
that you might use your knowledge for your own elevation. They were
gifts of honor, as far as you are concerned, but I bound you not to
bring any disgrace upon him from whom I learned the facts, and to inform
me if any danger should threaten him."

Balnokhazy bent nearer to his wife and whispered in her ear:

"To-night arrests will take place."

"Whom will they arrest?"

"Several leaders of the Parliamentary youths, particularly those
responsible for the dissemination of the written newspaper."

"How can that affect Lorand? He has burned every writing; no piece of
paper can be found in his room. The newspaper fragments, if they have
come into strange hands, cannot be compared with his handwriting. If
hitherto he wrote with letters leaning forwards, he will now lean them
backwards: no one will be able to find any similarity in the
handwritings. His brother, who copied them, has confessed nothing
against him."

"True enough; but I am inclined to think that he has not destroyed
everything he has written in this town. Once he w