Young Jack then tried, and was equally successful.
"Good shooting, young gentlemen," said one of the spectators, an Englishman; "but if you want to see real pistol practice, look at this Frenchman."
And he pointed to a tall, dark man who was just preparing to fire.
The target he had before him was not a little doll like the others, but a full-sized lay figure dressed in black, closely buttoned up, and holding in its hand an empty pistol pointed towards the live shooter.
"He is a noted duellist," said the Englishman, "and has killed more than one adversary."
Jack and Harry looked at him with considerable curiosity, with which was mixed a tinge of loathing.
The duellist had brought his own pistols, one of which he carefully loaded, and having placed himself in position, rapidly aimed and fired.
Instantly the lay figure showed a spot of white on its black coat, which, after all, was only made of a kind of paste or varnish, which chipped off when struck by the bullet.
"Straight to the heart," said the Englishman.
"That's good shooting," exclaimed Harry Girdwood.