Naturally he fell into the error of thinking that he had been running after this fellow all the way from the little gate, where, he supposed, Alice had somehow given him the slip.

It was a mere flash of brain-light, so to call it, struck out by the surprise of this curious discovery.

He felt his bellicose temper leap up furiously at being balked in a way so unexpected and withal so inexplicable.

Of course he did not stand there reasoning it all out.
The rush of impressions came, and at the same time he acted with promptness.

Changing the rapier, which he held in his right hand, over into his left, he drew a small pistol from the breast of his coat and fired.