Gaspard flung his reins to Champernoun and in a second was on the ground, fighting with a fury that these long hours had been stifled.

Before his blade the Italian gave ground till he was pinned against the wall of the Bourbon hotel.

His eyes were staring with amazement and dawning fear.

"I am a friend," he stammered in broken French and was answered in curt Spanish.
Presently his guard weakened and Gaspard gave him the point in his heart.

As he drooped to the ground, his conqueror bent over him.