Stunted bushes raised their heads above the wall, and the whole made a perfect screen.

Thus we walked for some ten minutes with the sun in our eyes and the murmur of the sea in our ears.

Then at a spot where the bushes rose highest the duke abruptly stopped, saying, "Here," and took the case of pistols out of his pocket.
He examined the loading, handing each in turn to me.

While this was being done neither of us spoke.

Then he held them both out, the stocks towards me; and I took the one nearest to my hand.