who followed was alarmed, and standing in the distance fired in
Lorand's direction.

Lorand, after his shot, immediately fell on his knees: and it was very
lucky he did so, for in the next moment Kandur discharged both his
barrels from beside the pillar, and the aim was true, as Lorand
discovered from the fact that the bullets dislodged leaves just above
his head, that came fluttering down upon him.

Then he turned to the third side.

There had come from that direction at the call of the whistle Korve,
Pofok, and Bogracs, who had been guarding the street-door and the other
exit from the castle.

At the moment they turned into the garden their comrade Foszto, seeing
Kanyo fall, stood still and fired his double-barrelled gun and pistols
in the direction of Lorand's hiding-place. It was quite natural they
should think some aid had arrived from the shooting-box, for the bullets
whistled just over their heads: so they began to fire back: Foszto,
alarmed, and not understanding this turn of affairs, fled.

Old Kandur's hoarse voice could not attract their attention amidst the
random firing. He cried furiously: "Don't shoot at one another, you
asses!"

They did not understand, perhaps did not hear at all in the confusion.

Lorand hastened to enlighten them.

Taking aim at the three villains, who were firing wildly into the night,
he sent his second charge into their midst from the bushes, whence they
least expected it.

This shot had a final effect. Perhaps several were wounded, one at any
rate reeled badly, and the other two took to flight: then, finding their
comrade could not keep up with them, they picked him up and dragged him
along, disappearing in a moment in the thickest part of the park.

Only the old lion remained behind, alone, old Kandur, the robber,
burning with rage. He caught a glimpse of Lorand's face by the flash of
the second discharge, recognized in him the man he sought, whom he
hated, whose blood he thirsted after: that foe, whom he remembered with
curses, whom he had promised to tear to pieces, to torture to death, who
was here again in his way, and had with his unaided power broken up the
whole opposing army, for all the world like the archangel himself.

Kandur knew well he must not allow him time to load again.

It was not a moment for shooting:--but for a pitched battle, hand to
hand.

Nor did the robber load his weapon: he rushed unarmed from his ambuscade
as he saw Lorand standing bef