"Yes. The wound is not a very serious one, but he will probably lose his forearm."
"And it was you who hit him," the Pole said quietly.
"How do you know that, Strelinski?"
"I guessed it. You have told me how you were practising, and how well you were getting on. I guessed you had some special purpose for taking so much pains, and you did not come in yesterday evening as usual. Then, too, you tell me he was hit in the arm, and you mentioned the other day that you were practising at that, and showed me the iron hand you had had made to hold a pistol."
"Well, yes, it was I. The fellow insulted a young comrade in my regiment, knowing well that he could not shoot; so I took it up, and there was an end of it."
"I am glad I knew nothing about it until it was all over. I should have been very unhappy if I had known that you were going to risk your life."
"I do not think there was any risk in it. As I told you, I have practised shooting very quickly, and felt sure that I should get first shot, and knew that there was no chance of my missing. The man was a dangerous fellow, and has fought many duels, but he will not now fight any more; and he will, I should think, leave the service. Well, I must not stay any longer, for I go by the twelve o'clock coach, and have to write a letter to Sir Robert Wilson before I start."
Frank caught the coach without difficulty, and on arriving at Dover went down and took his berth on board the hoy.
"We shall start at eight sharp," the skipper said.
"I will be on board in good time. I think you are likely to have a quick passage."