They were both pale, but while the eyes of Zodomirsky burned with implacable resolution, those of Stamm were uneasy and shifting. I felt my heart beat loudly.
Belayef advanced. All eyes were fixed on him.
"Are you ready, gentlemen?" he asked.
"We are waiting, Major," replied Zodomirsky and Stamm together, and each lifted his pistol before the breast of the other.
A death-like silence reigned. Only the birds sang in the bushes near the place of combat. In the midst of this silence the Major's voice resounding made every one tremble.
"One."
"Two."
"Three."
Then we heard the sound of the hammer falling on the cap of Zodomirsky's pistol. There was a flash, but no sound followed it.
Stamm had not fired, and continued to hold the mouth of his pistol against the breast of his adversary.