Oswald raised his pistol. All eyes were intently gazing at the pine cone.
"Ah, yes!" said Oswald, dropping his pistol again. "Would you have the kindness. Baron Barnewitz, to introduce me to the gentleman who has been pleased to form so good an opinion of my skill?"
"Quite forgot. Beg ten thousand pardons. Baron Oldenburg--Doctor Stein."
"Ah, Baron Oldenburg," said Oswald, lifting his hat with his left hand. "I hope you see the pine cone, baron."
"Quite distinctly!" replied Oldenburg, bowing politely.
Oswald raised his pistol once more, aimed a second--the pine cone came down, shattered to pieces.
"Famous!" cried Baron Barnewitz. "Cloten, you have found your master."
"Nous verrons!" said Cloten. "You have the first fire, Doctor."
Oswald took the other pistol and fired, almost without taking aim.
"Centre!" cried the servant at the target, making a bow to the marksman before putting a patch on the hole.