He found himself facing Herbert, who held a boar-spear, and the king, who had a double-barreled hunting-gun.
He raised his left hand, Herbert said--no doubt he still asked a hearing--but the king leveled his weapon.

With a spring Rupert gained the shelter of the door, the bullet sped by him, and buried itself in the wall of the room.

Then Herbert was at him with the boar-spear.
Explanations must wait now: it was life or death; without hesitation Rupert fired at Herbert, bringing him to the ground with a mortal wound.
The king's gun was at his shoulder again.
"You damned fool!" roared Rupert, "if you must have it, take it," and gun and revolver rang out at the same moment.

But Rupert--never did his nerve fail him--hit, the king missed; Herbert saw the count stand for an instant with his smoking barrel in his hand, looking at the king, who lay on the ground.

Then Rupert walked towards the door.