fled his best efforts, in the shape of such extraordinary
and original compliments that de Sigognac was mightily amused thereby.
As usual, he was perfectly cool and self-possessed, keeping control of
his temper as well as of his sword--though by this time he felt sure
that it was another agent of the Duke of Vallombreuse's he had to deal
with, and that his life, not his cloak, was the matter at stake. At last
Lampourde, who had begun to entertain an immense respect for his valiant
opponent, could restrain his curiosity no longer, and eagerly asked,

"Would it be indiscreet, sir, to inquire who was your instructor?
Girolamo, Paraguante, or Cote d'Acier would have reason to be proud of
such a pupil. Which one of them was it?"

"My only master was an old soldier, Pierre by name," answered de
Sigognac, more and more amused at the oddities of the accomplished
swordsman he was engaged with. "Stay, take that! it is one of his
favourite strokes."

"The devil!" cried Lampourde, falling back a step, "I was very nearly
done for, do you know! The point of your sword actually went through my
sleeve and touched my arm--I felt the cold steel; luckily for me it
was not broad daylight--I should have been winged; but you are not
accustomed, like me, to this dim, uncertain light for such work. All the
same, it was admirably well done, and Jacquemin Lampourde congratulates
you upon it, sir! Now, pay attention, to me--I will not take any mean
advantage of such a glorious foe as you are, and I give you fair warning
that I am going to try on you my own secret and special thrust Captain
Fracasse--the crowning glory of my art, the 'ne plus ultra' of my
science--the elixir of my life. It is known only to myself, and up to
this time has been infallible. I have never failed to kill my man
with it. If you can parry it I will teach it to you. It is my only
possession, and I will leave it to you if you survive it; otherwise I
will take my secret to the grave with me. I have never yet found any
one capable of executing it, unless indeed it be yourself--admirable,
incomparable swordsman that you are! It is a joy to meet such an one.
But suppose we suspend hostilities a moment to take breath."

So saying Jacquemin Lampourde lowered the point of his sword, and de
Sigognac did the same. They stood eyeing each other for a few moments
with mutual admiration and curiosity, and then resumed the contest more
fiercely than ever--each man doing his best, as h