"'Tis plain that all the boors do not live in the country," remarked Felix, as the fellow disappeared. "I thought all Parisians were noted for their good breeding."
"Another mistake corrected, my friend. As we grow older—ah! After him, quick!"
A bullet had whizzed past my head, cutting, as I found later, the feather stuck jauntily in my hat—for we did not choose that Anjou's gentlemen should exhibit all the airs and graces. The shot was fired from a low entry, and before the noise of the report had died away Felix, who kept his wits wonderfully, darted inside.
In another instant I had joined him, and we raced together up the narrow court.
"There he is!" I cried; "ah, he is climbing the wall!"
Felix being the swifter runner drew ahead, but he was too late. The assassin, straddling the wall, struck him furiously with his arquebus, and my comrade fell. I bent over him in an agony of fright, but he struggled to his feet, saying, "It is all right, Edmond; he has raised a lump on my head, nothing more; but I fear he has escaped."
"Yes, we should only lose ourselves trying to follow him there. Are you sure you are not hurt?"
"Quite sure. My head will ache for an hour or two, but I shall be all right in the morning. I suppose that bullet was meant for you!"
"There can be little doubt of it. L'Estang must have had good ground for his warning."
"You will have to put an end to this, Edmond."