"I take it all!" said Oldenburg, who seemed to enjoy the joke of the thing highly.
"Our bets have been a dollar so far--does that suit you?" said Cloten to Oswald.
"Of course."
"But Doctor Stein does not know the pistols," said Langen; "and Cloten has no doubt become quite familiar with them. That is hardly fair."
"If it was only a question of money," said Oswald, "I should try. But as others choose to bet on my shooting, I should like to have a trial shot first."
"Of course," said Breesen; "that is a matter of course," cried Baron Barnewitz.
"Won't help him much," said Cloten, in a low tone.
"Do you see that pine cone up there, Baron Langen?" said Oswald, when they had handed him a loaded pistol; "that one at the extreme end of the branch?"
"Yes; but that is at least fifty feet."
"Never mind. These pistols look as if they would be safe even at a greater distance."