"So lots were drawn for stations and for weapons. The lights were arranged, so far as possible, so as to favour neither of us. Still wearing our masks, but stripped of every trimming of our fancy costumes which could hinder the freedom of our movement, we advanced to the centre of the floor.
"The toss of the coin had given Jacques the direction of the combat. He made us cross our blades at the usual distance from each other, and gave the usual signal—
"'Allez, messieurs!"
"My antagonist could fence well. It was, no doubt, because of his skill with the small-sword that he had consented to this meeting. He meant to make it clear to me that he had spared my life, and then trust to my gratitude and my sense of honour to keep his secret. But though he was a good fencer, Jean Antoine Stromboli Kosnapulski was a better.
"You know the trick of fence which the French call enlacer le fer. After a cautious pass or two, I tried that, with the result that I whirled my opponent's sword out of his hand.
"'Try again, sir, when you are ready,' I said, lowering my point.
"He tried again, fighting more viciously this time, but with no more effect. Again he found himself in one corner of the room and his weapon in another.
"'Perhaps, sir, Fortune will be kinder to you the third time,' I suggested; and for the third time he advanced and faced me.
"This time I played with him longer. I took the ligne basse, which is always fatal, and withheld my lunge at the moment when he saw clearly, that, if I had chosen, I could have run him through. Not until nearly two minutes had elapsed did I give the quick turn of my wrist which disarmed him as before.
"Then I felt that I had sufficiently proved myself, and that the moment for my great coup had come.