I looked at my opponent. His eyes, bashfully cast down like those of a girl, were fixed on my feet.
Nine minutes past six.
He is listening for the sound, while I am looking at the hand, I thought. Suppose the alarm went off too soon!
Suddenly I saw Hagen raise his head. His elegant self-possession had left him, and a look of unutterable terror was stamped on his features.
I turned round, regardless of the fact that this movement might have cost me my life. At that very moment the alarm went off, a loud buzz that went on and on.
The Grand Duchess Aurora was behind me. Then I understood why the officer hadn't fired.
Aurora was now standing between us.
"Will one of you gentlemen kindly explain the meaning of this curious scene?" she said coldly.
There was no answer.
The document drawn up by Hagen was under the clock. She picked it up.