Can it be he?
If so, he certainly did not do it himself.

He must have hired some wretch, a wretch of good position, if you please, wearing patent leather boots of a good make, and smoking trabucos cigars with an amber mouth-piece.

These well-dressed villains ordinarily lack nerve.

They cheat, they forge; but they don't assassinate.

Supposing, though, that the count did get hold of some dare-devil fellow.