By Right of Sword

han agreeable: and I found plenty of evidence to more tha

ed that there sh

off without even wait

net that I broke open, I came across a diary with a number of entries with l

nd "B.G." The last-named, I may say at once, I never heard of or discovered: though in some correspondence I read afterwards, I came across some undated l

given, but enough particulars were added to shew the nature of the business. Thus someone was coming for a bet of 1,000 roubles

had obviously made the appointments in the full assurance either that Devinsky's sword would have squared a

play it thoroughly. This meant that not only must I fight the beggar's duel for

st and strongest drawers, locked them up, and sat

d the only means by which that could be done would be for me to writ

EAR R

s a good swordsman. He may prove too much for me. If so, good-bye old friend, and so much the better. It will save an awful lot of trouble; and the world and I are q

ray. I addressed it, and then put it under a separate cover. Next I wrote a short note to my

EAR S

nd I have more than enough money in English bank notes for the purpose. Pay everything and keep for yourself the balance, or do with it what you think best. My money could be used in n

ind you a better protector

bro

EXI

nk notes which I had brought with me from England. The envelope I addressed to my "sister" a

arefully destroyed every trace of connection with Hamylton Tregethner, so that the

nsky killed me. But wh

assumed character, to say nothing of killing him. Look at the thing as I would I

er to leave the girl without protection. But his blackguardism was no excuse for my killing him. I had no right to interfere. I had ne

ng me; and I could not substitute my exceptional skill for Olga's brother's lack of it and

ould only think I was keeping up the braggart conduct of that evening at the club. At the same time I liked the idea of the warni

f reason why I should have as much sleep as possible, I went to bed and slept like a top till my man,

we were to fight-"Told me to tell you. Suppose he doesn't care to

enough for me," said I, so curtly, that my

Must perk up a bit and shew a bold front. It's an ugly

afraid, you may find courage to tell m

ilence, both Gradinsk and the servant watching me

adding the amount for three months' further. "You leave my service at once

I...." he began, obvi

absolutely necessary. The rest you can ha

pect..." he

our minutes is gone." He looked at me a moment, fear mingled

d the doors behind us and

risky? You've been so intimate...." said Gr

he," I answered, sharply. "It is

burst of temper. "Even if you are going to

round at

t, Lieutenant Gradinsk," and we did not exchange a

e doubt as to whether I should dare to turn up, I think; for I

ngerous, and I tried to be perfectly calm a

ad saluted the others. "There are two matters to be mentioned. If I should f

on that," he sai

ake to my opponent, Major Devinsky, which I

sked, with a sligh

ut which this duel cannot tak

ched me and Gradinsk, who was very nervous. I went up

nown. I have purposely concealed my skill during the months I have been in Moscow; but I cannot engage with you now, without making the fact known. I have indeed rather drawn you in

en expected. All the men thought I was trying to get out of the fi

ute later, Essaieff brought me a message-and th

terms on which he will let you off the fight are an unconditional compli

rtly: and forthwith threw off

ing us, and I saw a certain boastful confidence in his looks and a swagger in his manner, which w

g in a workmanlike way which shewed me he knew well what he was about, and

f he could; and the manner in which he pressed the fight from the o

ng and would be sure to have very ugly consequences for anyone whose eye and wrist were less quick than his own. As he fought I co

I had no need even to exert myself. After a few passes, all my old love of the art came back to me and all my old skill; and

h him for some minutes. Then an idea occurred to me. I would prove to the men with us that I had no re

I chosen, I could without actual cowardice have declared the thing finished: but I intended them all to understand that

encing him at all points: play with him, in fact; and give him a hundred litt

g swiftness. Scarcely had we engaged before I had flicked a piece of skin from his cheek. The next time it was from his sword arm. Then from his neck, and after that from his ot

pressed him so hard that any one of the onlookers could see I could have run him through the heart h

nt to kill him, but he faced me resolutely enough when

utenant Essaieff. But for that I would simply have disarmed you at once and made an end of the thing. Now, remember

ement at what I had done. I put on my clothes in silence; and as I glanced about

bully who had ridden rough-shod over the whole regiment was agreeable enough now that it had been accomplished. My own evil ch

e the place alone. He gave me back the letter I had ent

like such pluck and skill. I believed you were blustering; and I apologise to you for the way in which I brought Devinsky's mes

u to-morrow morning, Essaieff, if you won't t

hink he was a good deal relieved at not having to stand in front of a swo

abrupt and formal gesture. Then I snubbed Gradinsk, who looked very white, remembering wha

n in you, Petrovitch?" asked my compan

shew what I could do with either sword or pistol. Nor did I seek this quarrel. But because I have never fought till I was compelled, that does not mean that I can't fight when I am compelled. But the truth's out now, and it may as well all be known. C

to-day's business. I don't believe there's a more hated man in the whole city than Devinsky; and everyone's sure to love

red indifferently that I had not decided. As a fact I didn't know whether I

d been with me, as I have said, quite a passion at one time and I had practised until I could hit anything within range, either stationary or moving. More than that, I was an expert in the refle

n; and when I sent him away after about a quarter of an hour's shooting su

intment for breakfast. I found myself thinking pleasantly of the pretty, kindly little face of the girl, and when I saw a light of infinite relie

night; and she grasped my hand so warmly and was so moved, that I could not fail to see tha

uch sleep as I have,

and fight that man? Oh, I could not sleep a wink all night for thinking of you and of the

ppetite, Olga. I thought you knew that," said I lightly and with a l

ed, leading the way. "But tell me the news:"

of a match for me at that business. I'm not bragging, but I've been traine

gladness, but as suddenly grew grave aga

t-I mean-i

me, you see, so I couldn't kill him or wound him serious

please. You promised the n

a good deal. I gave him a lesson for having treated you in that way and also for his insolence to me. Be

I'm so glad it's all over and you're safe and sound-And he

er you give me on trust." At that she glan

f time to observe her. She made a most captivating little hostess, too; and I began to feel that if I had had a siste

ked whether you knew that I was an expert with the sword and pistol and was purposely concealing my skill from the men here in Moscow. That's wha

nd, with a smile and in a

lways thought

And I'll promise for the future, if you like

and when she spoke again s

presently about the dance at the Zemliczka Palace. She was

sister dance togeth

sider the question practically because you have never asked me, Alexis. But I think they might sit out together," and with the