To have fallen upon him and slain him with silent steel would have equally embarrassed me, as you shall understand anon.
"You and I had a rendezvous at St.Sulpice des Reaux," I said calmly, "to which you came with a band of hired assassins.

For this you deserve to be shot like the dog you are.

But I have it in my heart to be generous to you," I added in a tone of irony.

"Come, take up your sword." "To what purpose ?" "Do you question me?
Take up your sword, man, and do my bidding; thus shall you have a slender chance of life.

Refuse and I pistol you without compunction.