I do not say the finest, for he has not touched me, and having no idea of his force I extended myself rashly at first; but I may say he is my equal.

Never but once have I crossed swords with such a fencer, and I doubt if even he was as strong.

His parry to my last attack was miraculous.

It was a coup invented by myself, and brought to perfection with that one I speak of.

I believed no one else knew it, and have ever reserved it for a last extremity; but his defence, even to the last wrench, which would have disarmed any other man but myself, and even me had I not known that it should have come then, was perfect; it was astounding.
"This maitre of yours--this Monsieur Dessin," he went on, turning to Rupert, "must be a wonder.
"Ah!" he said suddenly, and as if to himself; "c'est bien possible! What was he like, this Monsieur Dessin ?" "He is tall, and slight except as to his shoulders, where he is very broad." "And he has a little scar here, has he not ?" the fencing master said, pointing to his temple.
"Yes," Rupert said, surprised; "I have often noticed it." "Then it is he," Monsieur Dalboy said, "the swordsman of whom I spoke.