But already he had whipped out his pistol; and she fired instantly, smashing his right hand to pulp.
"You damned hell-cat!" he screamed, stretching out his shattered hand in an agony of impotent fury. Blood rained from it on the stone flags. Suddenly he started toward her.[pg 344]
"Don't stir!" she whispered. "Turn your back and raise both arms!"
His face became ghastly.
"Let me go, in God's name!" he burst out in a strangled voice. "Don't send me before a firing squad! Listen to me, little comrade—I surrender myself to your mercy——"
"Then keep away from me! Keep your distance!" she cried, retreating. He followed, fawning:
"Listen! We were such good comrades——"
"Don't come any nearer to me!" she called out sharply; but he still shuffled toward her, whimpering, drenched in blood, both hands uplifted.
"Kamerad!" he whined, "Kamerad—" and suddenly launched a kick at her.
She just avoided it, springing behind the bell Bayard; and he rushed at her and struck with both uplifted arms, showering her with blood, but not quite reaching her.