hing about it. Can you discover
the method of firing the weapon?"

"No," answered Vasilovich, "I cannot. I was about to ask you as to
that."

"It is perfectly simple. Permit me," remarked the professor, in the
easiest and most matter-of-fact tone imaginable. And, so saying, he
took the pistol from Vasilovich's unresisting hand.

"There are still two other peculiarities connected with this weapon,"
remarked von Schalckenberg; "namely, the marvellous rapidity with which
it can be fired, and the fact that it is absolutely noiseless when
discharged. Please observe, Count. You see those two decanters upon
the table? Kindly fix your eyes upon their stoppers."

The decanters referred to were standing upon the table, some twelve
paces distant from von Schalckenberg, and some eight feet apart, where
they had been carelessly placed by the servant before leaving the count
to the solitary enjoyment of his tobacco and vodki. As the professor
spoke, he suddenly raised his hand and levelled the pistol with
lightning quickness first at one decanter and then at the other. There
was a sharp _clink-clink_, and the tops of the smashed stoppers fell
upon the table all but simultaneously.

Vasilovich looked astounded. He stared first at the decanters, then at
von Schalckenberg, then back again at the decanters.

"Did you break those stoppers by firing at them with that pistol?" he at
length demanded, in a tone of mingled apprehension and rage.

"Certainly," answered the professor, placidly. "Did you not see me do
it, or was I rather too quick for you? Shall I do the trick again?
Just watch the _necks_ of the decanters this time--"

"Stop!" shouted Vasilovich, springing from his chair in a paroxysm of
fury. "How dare you, you scoundrel! What do you mean by coming here
and destroying my property in this insolent way, eh?" And he reached
towards a hand-bell that stood near him on the table.

"Sit down, and keep your hand from that bell," retorted von
Schalckenberg, sternly, levelling the pistol, quick as light, at the
count's head. "Utter a sound above a whisper, or move so much as an
eyelid, and I will riddle your worthless brain with bullets. My little
exhibition just now was simply intended to convey to you, in a
thoroughly practical manner, some idea of the capabilities of this
weapon of mine. I have fired two shots from it, and there are
consequently eighteen left; furthermore, I have another weapon of the
same