and of a sudden the watch came
running round the corner whistling for help. De Garcia saw them, and
disengaging suddenly, turned and ran for the water-gate, the lady also
vanishing, whither I do not know.

Now the watch was on me, and their leader came at me to seize me,
holding a lantern in his hand. I struck it with the handle of the sword,
so that it fell upon the roadway, where it blazed up like a bonfire.
Then I turned also and fled, for I did not wish to be dragged before
the magistrates of the city as a brawler, and in my desire to escape I
forgot that de Garcia was escaping also. Away I went and three of the
watch after me, but they were stout and scant of breath, and by the
time that I had run three furlongs I distanced them. I halted to get my
breath and remembered that I had lost de Garcia and did not know when I
should find him again. At first I was minded to return and seek him, but
reflection told me that by now it would be useless, also that the end
of it might be that I should fall into the hands of the watch, who would
know me by my wound, which began to pain me. So I went homeward cursing
my fortune, and the woman who had clasped me from behind just as I was
about to send the death-thrust home, and also my lack of skill which had
delayed that thrust so long. Twice I might have made it and twice I had
waited, being overcautious and over-anxious to be sure, and now I had
lost my chance, and might bide many a day before it came again.

How should I find him in this great city? Doubtless, though I had not
thought of it, de Garcia passed under some feigned name as he had done
at Yarmouth. It was bitter indeed to have been so near to vengeance and
to have missed it.

By now I was at home and bethought me that I should do well to go to
Fonseca, my master, and ask his help. Hitherto I had said nothing of
this matter to him, for I have always loved to keep my own counsel, and
as yet I had not spoken of my past even to him. Going to the room where
he was accustomed to receive patients, I found he had retired to rest,
leaving orders that I was not to awake him this night as he was weary.
So I bound up my hurt after a fashion and sought my bed also, very
ill-satisfied with my fortune.

On the morrow I went to my master's chamber where he still lay abed,
having been seized by a sudden weakness that was the beginning of
the illness which ended in his death. As I mixed a draught for him he
noticed that my should