"
"I shall go when I please."
"You will not."
"Be careful, Mon. Andermatt. I warn you---"
"I say, you shall not go."
"We will see about that," cried Varin, in such a rage that Madame
Andermatt could not suppress a cry of fear. Varin must have heard
it, for he now tried to force his way out. Mon. Andermatt pushed
him back. Then I saw him put his hand into his coat pocket.
"For the last time, let me pass," he cried.
"The letters, first!"
Varin drew a revolver and, pointing it at Mon. Andermatt, said:
"Yes or no?"
The banker stooped quickly. There was the sound of a pistol-shot.
The weapon fell from Varin's hand. I was amazed. The shot was
fired close to me. It was Daspry who had fired it at Varin,
causing him to drop the revolver. In a moment, Daspry was standing
between the two men, facing Varin; he said to him, with a sneer:
"You were lucky, my friend, very lucky. I fired at your hand and
struck only the revolver."
Both of them looked at him, surprised. Then he turned to the
banker, and said:
"I beg your pardon, monsieur, for meddling in your business; but,
really, you play a very poor game. Let me hold the cards.
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