It may have been on a dare--sometimes I think it was; but shoot it he means to, before a fresh crowd collects.
"He already has, as you will remember, the arrow hidden somewhere about his person, and it is only a few steps to the edge of the tapestry behind which he has secreted the bow.

If he takes a look opposite, it is at the moment when both Mrs.Taylor and Miss Willetts are screened from his view by one of the partitions separating the various sections.

For unless he felt the way to be free for his arrow, he would never have proceeded to slip behind his chosen pedestal, secure the bow, pause to string it, then crouch for his aim in such apparent confidence.

For after he has left the open gallery and limited his outlook to what is visible beyond the loophole through which he intends to shoot, he can see--as we know from Mr.La Fleche--little more than the spot where the cap hangs and the one narrow line between.

Unhappily, it was across this line the young girl leaped just as the arrow left the bow.