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By Root 452 0

mitigated because he is the Count’s employee, as will Kula’s to a lesser degree, and the court will not be slow to appreciate the moral pressure that someone like the Count can apply if he wishes. There is one possible outcome, but only if we can get the Count to admit his part in the matter. Personally I don’t think we will, that is to say, Count Abady cannot be such a fool as to fall into that little trap. But the alternative is much more certain. Abady will, of course, try to show that Zutor is not to blame. That is where I come in, that is to say, I know for a fact that it was Abady who enlisted the defence lawyer and who gave him old Juon’s Power of Attorney. But I won’t bring that up at tomorrow’s hearing: all I will do is force him to declare that he had no part in the matter. It will be enough for the moment … that is to say … Kula and Zutor will naturally be found guilty and our friend Gaszton will immediately be vindicated, which is the most important thing.’

‘Well,’ interrupted Nyiresy furiously, ‘and what happens to that high-born brat? Does he walk away free then? Nothing more?’

Dr That-is-to-say leaned back in his chair and waved a finger in the air with pompous self-righteousness. ‘Didn’t I say that was where I came in? On the following day we will accuse Abady of perjury, and won’t that be a lovely thing to see? Eh?’

The host erupted in cheers and Simo’s little shoe-button eyes sparkled with glee.

Now the Chief Judge decided to intervene.

‘I wouldn’t go as far as that – not that I want to see him go free, oh no! – but there are political considerations. If the two accused are condemned that will be shame enough for our noble Count. No one will ever speak to him again in those mountain villages. He won’t be able to stick his oar in any more or worry about things which do not concern him. We’ll be free of him and that’ll be enough. I’d hold on to that perjury charge for a while. With that in our pockets we’ll have got him where we want him … for years to come; and if he ever again starts up his little tricks we’ll let him know what we’ve got on him.’

‘You old rogue!’ cried Nyiresy as he exploded with laughter and slapped his neighbour on the back. ‘Treat him like that pack of notaries you’ve got, eh? First catch’em out in some fault, and then keep it dangling over their heads!’

Between the Judge’s thin lips his teeth gleamed.

‘Exactly. That has always been my method.’

‘But you can’t seriously want me to abandon my plan?’ cried Dr Farkas, outraged. ‘Fail to catch Abady for perjury when he’s practically thrown himself into our clutches? Oh no! Nobody can wish that!’

He was at once backed up by the other lawyer, Balazs Toth, and so went on, ‘Is that what you want? In my client’s best interests I forego the pleasure of calling the Count as a witness, even though I always knew what a God-given opportunity it would be to start criminal proceedings which would have made me famous … that is to say, how did Karoly Eotvos make his name? With the Eszlar case! And Polonyi and other famous lawyers? Always through some great criminal proceedings. I’ve denied myself this until now because professional ethics make the client’s best interests paramount and I will always be faithful to that. I will stick to that and get this Kula found guilty, but once that’s done, it’s time to do myself some good. Why, even the petition to Parliament to have Abady unseated so he can stand trial for perjury like anyone else – why, that will be advertisement enough. The press will be full of it! Then the case itself. Every word will be printed in the papers. There’ll be reporters, interviews, a magnificent speech for the prosecution which will be printed in full … and at last the verdict. To bring an MP, who is also an aristocrat, to trial, sentence and prison, to stand before the world as the champion of honour and justice …! I will never give that up, never! I’ll see it through to the end … and the end will be magnificent!’

He was so worked up and shouted with so much enthusiasm and sublime ambition that everyone started to cheer