He tried to avoid it by leaping back, but was too late.
The knife struck him and the point pierced his side.
A sudden cry of agony escaped Young King Brady, and he flung up his hands and pitched over upon the floor.
Nearly every one in the room having had their attention attracted toward the pair had witnessed the tragedy.
Men turned pale and leaped to their feet, women shrieked and fainted, and some of the bolder waiters rushed at the Frenchman to disarm and capture him.
La Croix brandished the knife.
"I keel ze fairst man who touch me!" he yelled.
Dashing out of the room, he rushed upstairs and flourished the knife at his pursuers. He swore at every step and threatened to run the blade into the first man who got within his reach.
That cowed the crowd and he disappeared on the floor above.