"Let us go," said De la Forêt.
"A feeble mob of children," returned Carteaux.
As he spoke, De Courval struck him a single savage blow full in the face.
"A fight! a fight!" cried the crowd. "Give them room! A ring! a ring!"
There was no fight in the slighter man, who lay stunned and bleeding, while René struggled in Schmidt's strong arms, wild with rage.
"You have done enough," said the German; "come!" René, silent, himself again, stared at the fallen man.
"What is the meaning of this outrage!" said De la Forêt. "Your name, sir?"
"I am the Vicomte de Courval," said René, perfectly cool. "You will find me at Madame Swanwick's on Front Street."
Carteaux was sitting upon the sidewalk, still dazed and bleeding. The crowd looked on. "He hits hard," said one.
"Come, René," said the German, and they walked away, René still silent.