is skill with his weapon had greatly bettered
in the years that had elapsed since their previous encounter, Lagardere
was rejoiced to find it so, as it gave a greater difficulty and a greater
honor to his achievement. It was clear, too, from the expression on
AEsop's face, after the first few instants of the engagement, that he was
made aware that his skill was not as the skill of Lagardere. He fought
desperately, and yet warily, knowing that he was fighting for his life,
and trying without success every cunning trick that he had learned in the
fencing-schools of Spain. The thrust of Nevers he did not attempt, for of
that he knew Lagardere commanded the parry, but there were other thrusts
on which he relied to gain the victory, and each of these he tried in
succession, only to be baffled by Lagardere's instinctive steel.

Lagardere, watching him while they fought, hated his adversary for his
own sake apart from his complicity in the crime of Caylus. AEsop was the
incarnation of everything that was detestable in the eyes of a man like
Lagardere. A splendid swordsman, his sword was always lightly sold to
evil causes. He prostituted the noble weapon that Lagardere idolized to
the service of the assassin, the advantage of the bully, and the revenge
of the coward. He would have felt no scruple about slaying him, even if
AEsop had not been, as now he was, a dangerous and unexpected enemy in his
path.

AEsop, unable to make Lagardere break ground, and unable to get within
Lagardere's guard, now began to taunt his antagonist savagely, calling
him a child-stealer and a woman-wronger, with other foul terms of abuse
that rolled glibly from his lips in the ugliness of his rage and fear.

Lagardere listened with his quiet smile, and when the hunchback made a
pause he answered him with scornful good-humor. "You waste your breath,
Master AEsop," he said, "and you should be saving it for your prayers, if
you know any, or for your fighting wind, if there is nothing of salvation
in you. You are a very base knave. I do not think you ever did an honest,
a kindly, or a generous deed in your life. I know that you have done many
vile things, and would do more if time were given to you; but the time is
denied, Master AEsop, and yet you may serve a good cause in your death."

Even as he spoke Lagardere's tranquillity of defence suddenly changed
into rapidity of attack. His blade leaped forward, made sudden swift
movements which the bravo stro