was a minor, but that if my sister's name stood
upon the bill he would advance upon that because she was a married
woman. Margari persuaded me to sign the bill in her name. What was forty
florins to Henrietta? he said, a mere trifle. If I were to ask her, she
would give me twice as much. Surely she would not proclaim me, whom she
loved so much, a forger for the sake of a paltry 40 florins? But 40,000
florins, 40,000!--that is a frightful, a horrible villainy. I only made
it forty."

And with that he began to dash his head against the wall like a madman.

"My dear Coloman, do pull yourself together," said Szilard, "what you
have just told me is of the very greatest importance. Be quiet and don't
tear out your hair! Are you aware that your infinitely good sister has
honoured the 40,000 florin bill also in order to save you?"

The poor youth was thunderstruck at these words.

"And now you can imagine the embarrassment of the baroness, who has been
disinherited and is nevertheless responsible for this very considerable
sum without being at all sure that her husband will pay it for her."

"I will hang myself."

"That would be the most gigantic piece of folly you could commit. You
must make good your fault. And now for a time we cease to be friends and
I am simply an examining magistrate, and you are an accused prisoner who
is about to make a voluntary confession before me. Pray sit right
opposite to me and answer all my questions clearly and accurately--in
fact tell me exactly what happened."

And Vamhidy produced paper and writing requisites, lit a pair of candles
which he placed by his side and began the examination of the youth
sitting in front of him.

By midnight the confession was duly written down.

When, however, Vamhidy proposed that Coloman should now come back to
Pest and be reconciled to his relations, the youth hesitated: "We will
see," said he.

"At any rate remain here with me then," continued Szilard. "Sleep in my
room and take till to-morrow to think it over. I won't lock the door but
you must give me your word of honour that you will not go out of that
door without my knowledge."

"I give you my word upon it."

Then Szilard made the youth lie down and only went to rest himself when
he was sure that Coloman was asleep.

Nevertheless on awaking next morning and looking round the room he could
see no trace of Coloman, but there was a letter from him on the table as
follows: "Dear old friend, I