“What did you do when you were out alone at night?”

“I just walked about.  I set fire to a tree in the woods once, then the rain came and put it out.  Once I killed a dog and another time I cut through the bridge supports.  That took me several hours to do and made me very tired.  But it was such fun to know that people would be worrying and fussing about who did it.”

Varna rubbed his hands gleefully.  He did not look the least bit malicious but only very much amused.  The doctor groaned.  Gyuri’s great body trembled, his arms shook, but he did not make a single voluntary movement.  He saw the revolver in Muller’s hand and felt the keen grey eyes resting on him in pitiless calm.

“And now tell us about the pastor?” said the detective in a firm clear voice.

“Oh, he was a dear, good gentleman,” said No. 302 with an expression of pitying sorrow on his face.  “I owed him much gratitude; that’s why I put the roses in his hand.”

“Yes, but you murdered him first.”

“Of course, Gyuri told me to.”

“And why?”

“He hated the pastor, for the old gentleman had no confidence in him.”

“Is this true?” Muller turned to the doctor.

“I did not notice it,” said Orszay with a voice that showed deep sorrow.

“And you?” Muller’s eyes bored themselves into the orbs of the young giant, now dulled with fear.

Gyuri started and shivered.  “He looked at me sharply every now and then,” he murmured.

“And that was why he was killed?”

The warder’s head sank on his breast.

“No, not only for that reason,” continued No. 302.  “Gyuri needed money again.  He ordered me to bring him the silver candlesticks off the altar.”

“Murder and sacrilege,” said the detective calmly.

“No, I did not rob the church.  When I had buried the reverend gentleman I heard the cock crowing.  I was afraid I might get home here too late and I forgot the candlesticks.  I had to stop to wash my hands in the brook.  While I was there I saw shepherd Janci coming along and I hid behind the willows.  He almost discovered me once, but Janci’s a dreamer, he sees things nobody else sees—­and he doesn’t see things that everybody else does see.  I couldn’t help laughing at his sleepy face.  But I didn’t laugh when I came back to the asylum.  Gyuri was waiting for me at the door.  When he saw that I hadn’t brought the candlesticks he beat me and tortured me worse than he’d ever done before.”

“And you didn’t tell anyone?”

“Why, no; because I was afraid that if I told on him, I’d never be able to go out again.”

“And you, quite alone, could carry the pastor’s body out of his room?”

“I am very strong.”

“How did you arrange it that there should be no traces of blood to betray you?”

“I waited until the body had stiffened, then I tied up the wound and carried him down into the crypt.”