Stuart and my uncle had been known to each other in the German army; and the purpose contemplated by the former in this long and hasty journey, was confided to his old friend.
A defiance was given and received, and the banks of a rivulet, about a league from the city, was selected as the scene of this contest.

My uncle, having exerted himself in vain to prevent an hostile meeting, consented to attend them as a surgeon .-- Next morning, at sun-rise, was the time chosen.
I returned early in the evening to my lodgings.

Preliminaries being settled between the combatants, Stuart had consented to spend the evening with us, and did not retire till late.

On the way to his hotel he was exposed to no molestation, but just as he stepped within the portico, a swarthy and malignant figure started from behind a column.
and plunged a stiletto into his body.
The author of this treason could not certainly be discovered; but the details communicated by Stuart, respecting the history of Maxwell, naturally pointed him out as an object of suspicion.

No one expressed more concern, on account of this disaster, than he; and he pretended an ardent zeal to vindicate his character from the aspersions that were cast upon it.