The Emperor received both of Raby's letters--the forged and the genuine
one--nearly at the same time, for the latter had been sent by express
post. Shortly afterwards, it became known that his Majesty was going to
pay a visit to Pesth, ostensibly to review some troops. It was this news
that had hastened the walling up of Raby's cell. The Emperor was not to
find him when he came, and when the Kaiser had gone, they meant to
restore the dungeon-door to its place. For they did not intend to kill
their victim outright by burying him alive.
In order to dry the fresh masonry, they often let the window in the
corridor stand open, and so thick was the rime that you could not see
the walls for it. Nay, the hair and beard of the captive were white too
with it, and from the frozen ceiling, the icicles dropped down upon him
as he lay on his straw couch. But the greatest misfortune induced by the
cold was that he became so hoarse, he could not answer the voice from
above, but could only rattle his chains to show that he still lived.
On the day of the Emperor's arrival, the voice ceased, and he heard
men's footsteps above, as if re-arranging the room, in view perhaps of
the imperial visit.
In fact the Kaiser had come, and by mid-day had inspected his troops and
was sitting down to a frugal mid-day meal in the Assembly House, as was
his custom, alone, giving orders the while to the crowd of
aides-de-camp, and the various functionaries who came and went. He left
untasted the glass of old Tokay, poured out for him by the obsequious
Laskoy in a glass of rare Venetian crystal, for to the date of its
vintage he was quite indifferent.
"And now," said his Majesty, when he had finished, "tell me what has
happened to my commissioner, Mr. Mathias Raby?"
"Sire, he has gone back some time since to his home in Szent-Endre, and
we had a letter of thanks from him just lately."
"I have seen that letter," returned the Emperor drily, "likewise another
written from the dungeon of the Assembly House, wherein I learn he is
still a prisoner."
"Ah, sire, that is easily explained," answered the lieutenant airily.
"The fact is that we had imprisoned at the same time as Raby, a renowned
forger, who has been deceiving even your Majesty by carefully forged
letters in your commissioner's handwriting."
"What could he have gained by that?" said the Emperor.
"Probably he knew," returned Laskoy, "that Raby enjoyed your Majesty's
favour, and reckoned that, as you were coming to visit the Pesth prison
in person, he would thus recall himself to your Majesty and gain a
hearing from you."
"That reminds me," answered the Emperor, "that I have not yet seen the
prison, so I will trouble you to lead the way."
And Laskoy proceeded to conduct the imperial guest to the dungeons, even
to the most noisome, regardless of the pestilential atmosphere which met
the visitor. The Emperor had every door unlocked, and insisted on seeing
everything, and it was plain from his sharp scrutiny that he did not
trust his guide.
Then he inspected the cells where the "noble" culprits were confined,
and among them that formerly tenanted by Raby. The bed which the
prisoner had occupied, was duly pointed out to the Emperor, and then he
proceeded to inspect the rest of the cells in order.
Three times did he actually pass the door of Raby's dungeon (and the
prisoner could hear the clink of his spurs overhead), yet did not
discover the one he sought. And no suspicion crossed the captive's mind
from behind his walled-up door that his would-be deliverer was close at
hand.
The deception had been only too well carried out. Not even by coming in
person to free him, as the Emperor had promised his emissary, could he
succeed in delivering him.
And there was not a single man of them all who would point to Raby's
cell, and say boldly, "There lies the man whom you are seeking."
As for Mariska, she had been sent that very day to her aunt's at Buda,
for some of the officers had been quartered at the head notary's, and it
was no longer the place for the daughter of the house.
And the Emperor went that day into camp, but Raby still languished in
his dungeon.