From behind?
It was difficult to get there.

From across the table?
No, the captain preferred to shoot standing, so as you could be sure to get your hand upon your gun.

The best would be to summon Huish, and when Attwater stood up and turned--ah, then would be the moment.

Wrapped in his ardent prefiguration of events, the captain posted towards the house with his head down.
'Hands up! Halt!' cried the voice of Attwater.
And the captain, before he knew what he was doing, had obeyed.

The surprise was complete and irremediable.