not long to wait. Even a "well-conditioned" Gaul does not like
being outwitted, and the successful _ruse_ exasperated Duchesne into
insanity. Roaring like a wild beast that has missed its spring, he
rushed in to grapple. Royston never moved a finger till the enemy was
well within distance; then, slinging his left hand straight out from the
hip, he "let him have it" fairly between the eyes.

One blow--only one--but a blow that, had it been stricken in the days of
Olympian and Nemean contests--where Pindar and his peers were
"reporters"--might well have earned a dithyramb; a blow that would have
gladdened the sullen spirit of the old gladiator who trained the Cool
Captain, if the prophet had lived to see his auguries fulfilled, or if
sights and sounds from upper earth could penetrate to the limbo of
defunct athletae. Nothing born of woman could have stood before it, and
it was small blame to Jean Duchesne that he dropped like a log in his
tracks. In another instant his conqueror had one knee on the chest of
the fallen man, and both hands were griping his throat.

His own face was fearfully changed. It wore an expression that has been
very often seen in the sixty centuries that have passed since Cain
struck his brother down, but has very seldom been described; for the
dead tell no tales beyond what their features, stiffened in hopeless
terror, may betray. It has been seen on lost battle-fields--in the
streets of cities given up to pillage, when the storming is just over
and the carnage begun--on desolate hill-sides--in dark forest-glades--in
chambers of lonely houses, strongly but vainly barred--in every place
where men in the death agony have "cried and there was none to help
them." It was full time for _some one_ to interfere when the devil had
entered into Royston Keene.

From the moment that affairs had assumed such a different aspect Mr.
Fullarton had gradually been recovering his composure, and by this time
was quite himself again. He advanced confidently, and, laying his hand
on the major's shoulder with an imposing air, and with his best pulpit
manner, enunciated, "Thou shalt do no murder!" The latter, as we have
already said, was utterly beside himself; but even this can not excuse
the abrupt, impatient movement that sent such an eminent divine reeling
three paces back. The rigid lips only twisted themselves into an evil
sneer, and the cruel fingers tightened their gripe till the features of
the prostrate wretc