Part 90 (2/2)

”I was not in a mood to care much for pistols, Surry. When a man is engaged in a little affair like that, bullets lose their influence on the nerves.

”'That is a pretty toy!' I said. 'Where did you procure it madam, the poisoner?'

”With a face resembling rather a hideous mask than a human countenance, she rushed upon me; placed the muzzle of the pistol on my very breast; and drew the trigger.

”The weapon snapped.

”A moment afterward I had taken it from her hand and thrown it into a corner.

”'Very well done!' I said. 'What a pity that you use such indifferent caps! Your pistol is as harmless as your tea!'

”She uttered a hoa.r.s.e cry, but did not recoil in the least, Surry! This woman was a curiosity. Instead of retreating from me, she clenched her small white hand, raised it above her head, and exclaimed:--

”'If _he_ only were here!'

”'_He_, madam?' I said. 'You refer to your respected _brother_--to Mr.

Mortimer?'

”'Yes! _he_ would make you repent your cowardly outrages and insults.'

”I looked at my watch, it was just eleven.

”'The hour is earlier than I thought, madam,' I said, 'but perhaps he has already arrived.'

”And advancing to the side of the lady, I took her arm, drew her toward the window, and said:--

”'Why not give your friend the signal you have agreed on, madam?'

”At a bound she reached the window, and struck a rapid series of blows with her fingers upon the pane.

”Five minutes afterward a heavy step was heard ascending the private staircase. I went to the door and unlocked it; the step approached--stopped at the door--the door opened, and Mortimer appeared.

”'Come in, my dear brother-in-law,' I said, 'we are waiting for you.'”

XXIII.

THE RESULT OF THE SIGNAL.

”Mortimer recoiled as if a blow had been suddenly struck at him. His astonishment was so comic that I began to laugh.

”'Good! you start!' I said. 'You thought I was dead by this time?'

”'Yes,' he coolly replied.

”As he spoke, his hand stole under the cloak in which he was wrapped, and I heard the click of a pistol as he c.o.c.ked it. I drew my own weapon, c.o.c.ked it in turn, and placing the muzzle upon Mortimer's breast, said:--

”'Draw your pistol and you are dead!'

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