n replied, drawing himself up haughtily, "and no adversary
has ever seen his back. Those who know me will tell your lordship that
easy victories have no charm for me. I love danger and court it. I
take positive delight in it. I attacked the Baron de Sigognac 'secundum
artem,' and with one of my very best swords--made by Alonzo de Sahagun,
the elder, of Toledo."

"Well, and what happened then?" said the young duke eagerly. "It would
seem that you could not have been victorious, since you wish to refund
this money, which was to pay you for despatching him."

"First let me inform your highness that in the course of my duels and
combats, of one sort and another, I have left no less than thirty-seven
men stretched dead upon the ground--and that without counting in all
those I have wounded mortally or crippled for life. But this Baron
de Sigognac intrenched himself within a circle of flashing steel
as impenetrable as the walls of a granite fortress. I called into
requisition all the resources of my art against him, and tried in
every possible way to surprise him off his guard, but he was ready for
everything--as quick as a flash, as firm as a rock--he parried every
thrust triumphantly, magnificently, with the most consummate science,
and a grace and ease I have never seen equalled. He kept me busy
defending myself too all the time, and more than once had nearly done
for me. His audacity was astonishing, his sang froid superb, and his
perfect mastery over his sword, and his temper, sublime--he was not a
man, but a god. I could have fallen down and worshipped him. At the risk
of being spitted on his sword, I prolonged the fight as much as I dared,
so as to enjoy his marvellous, glorious, unparalleled method to the
utmost. However, there had to be an end of it, and I thought I was sure
of despatching him at last by means of a secret I possess--an infallible
and very difficult thrust, taught and bequeathed to me by the great
Girolamo of Naples, my beloved master--no man living has a knowledge
of it but myself--there is no one else left capable of executing it
to perfection, and upon that depends its success. Well, my lord duke,
Girolamo himself could not have done it better than I did to-night. I
was thunderstruck when my opponent did not go down before it as if he
had been shot. I expected to see him lying dead at my feet. But not
at all, by Jove! That devil of a Captain Fracasse parried my blow with
dazzling swiftness, and wit