Rupert made as though to mount; then he suddenly turned to me: his left hand resting in his belt, his right outstretched: "Shake hands," he said.
I bowed, and did as he had foreseen--I put my hands behind me.

Quicker than thought, his left hand darted out at me, and a small dagger flashed in the air; he struck me in the left shoulder--had I not swerved, it had been my heart.

With a cry, I staggered back.

Without touching the stirrup, he leapt upon his horse and was off like an arrow, pursued by cries and revolver shots--the last as useless as the first--and I sank into my chair, bleeding profusely, as I watched the devil's brat disappear down the long avenue.

My friends surrounded me, and then I fainted.
I suppose that I was put to bed, and there lay, unconscious, or half conscious, for many hours; for it was night when I awoke to my full mind, and found Fritz beside me.