Reinforced by others, that crowded in behind, they charged boldly up the stairs, headed by a ragged, red capped giant named Souvestre--a man whom the Marquis had once irreparably wronged.
The sight of him was a revelation to Bellecour.

This assault was Souvestre's work; the fellow had been inciting the people of Bellecour for the past twelve months, long indeed before the outbreak of the revolution proper, and at last he had roused them to the pitch of accompanying him upon his errand of tardy but relentless vengeance.
With a growl the Marquis raised his pistol.

But Souvestre saw the movement, and with a laugh he did the like.

Simultaneously there were two reports, and Bellecour's arm fell shattered to his side.

Souvestre continued to advance, his smoking pistol in one hand and brandishing a huge sabre with the other.