Roland's bullet had gone through his heart.
Sir John, seeing M.de Barjols fall, went straight to Roland and drew him to the spot where he had thrown his hat and coat.
"That is the third," murmured Roland with a sigh; "but you are my witness that this one would have it." Then giving his smoking pistol to Sir John, he resumed his hat and coat.
During this time M.de Valensolle picked up the pistol which had escaped from his friend's hand, and brought it, together with the box, to Sir John.
"Well ?" asked the Englishman, motioning toward Alfred de Barjols with his eyes.
"He is dead," replied the second.
"Have I acted as a man of honor, sir ?" asked Roland, wiping away the sweat which suddenly inundated his brow at the announcement of his opponent's death.
"Yes, monsieur," replied M.de Valensolle; "only, permit me to say this: you possess the fatal hand." Then bowing to Roland and his second with exquisite politeness, he returned to his friend's body.
"And you, my lord," resumed Roland, "what do you say ?" "I say," replied Sir John, with a sort of forced admiration, "you are one of those men who are made by the divine Shakespeare to say of themselves: "'Danger and I-- We were two lions littered in one day, But I the elder.'".