yards away. Rupert called to a groom to bring him his horse, and dismissed the fellow with a crown. The horse stood near. I stood still, suspecting nothing. Rupert made as though to mount; then he suddenly turned to me, his left hand resting on his belt, his right outstretched:
"Shake hands," he said.
I bowed, and did as he had foreseen—I put my hands behind me. Quicker than thought his left hand darted out at me, and a small dagger flashed in the air; he struck me in the left shoulder—had I not swerved it had been my heart. With a cry I staggered back. Without touching the stirrup, he leaped upon his horse and was off like an arrow, pursued by cries and revolver shots,—the last as useless as the first,—and I sank into my chair, bleeding profusely, as I watched the devil's brat disappear down the long avenue. My friends surrounded me, and then I fainted.
I suppose that I was put to bed, and there lay unconscious or half conscious for many hours; for it was night when I awoke to my full mind, and found Fritz beside me. I was weak and weary,
