But the uncertainty--that and the masked man's tone paralyzed them.

For they reflected that he might be anyone.

Conde, indeed, stood too small, but Navarre, if he lived, might fill that cloak; or Guise, or Anjou, or the King himself.

And while some would not have scrupled to strike the blood royal, more would have been quick to protect and avenge it.

And so before the dark uncertainty of the mask, before the riddle of the smiling eyes which glittered through the slits, they stared irresolute; until a hand, the hand of one bolder than his fellows, was raised to pluck away the screen.
The unknown dealt the fellow a buffet with his fist.