"I take it all!" said Oldenburg, who seemed to enjoy the joke of the thing highly. "Our bets have been a dollar so far--does that suit you?" said Cloten to Oswald. "Of course." "But Doctor Stein does not know the pistols," said Langen; "and Cloten has no doubt become quite familiar with them. That is hardly fair." "If it was only a question of money," said Oswald, "I should try. But as others choose to bet on my shooting, I should like to have a trial shot first." "Of course," said Breesen; "that is a matter of course," cried Baron Barnewitz. "Won't help him much," said Cloten, in a low tone. "Do you see that pine cone up there, Baron Langen?" said Oswald, when they had handed him a loaded pistol; "that one at the extreme end of the branch?" "Yes; but that is at least fifty feet." "Never mind. These pistols look as if they would be safe even at a greater distance." Oswald raised his pistol. All eyes were intently gazing at the pine cone. "Ah, yes!" said Oswald, dropping his pistol again. "Would you have the kindness. Baron Barnewitz, to introduce me to the gentleman who has been pleased to form so good an opinion of my skill?" "Quite forgot. Beg ten thousand pardons. Baron Oldenburg--Doctor Stein." "Ah, Baron Oldenburg," said Oswald, lifting his hat with his left hand. "I hope you see the pine cone, baron." "Quite distinctly!" replied Oldenburg, bowing politely. Oswald raised his pistol once more, aimed a second--the pine cone came down, shattered to pieces. "Famous!" cried Baron Barnewitz. "Cloten, you have found your master." "_Nous verrons!_" said Cloten. "You have the first fire, Doctor." Oswald took the other pistol and fired, almost without taking aim. "Centre!" cried the servant at the target, making a bow to the marksman before putting a patch on the hole. "Cloten, pay forfeit!" cried Oldenburg, jingling money in his pocket. "Centre!" was heard once more from the target "You see?" said Cloten, handing his pistol to another servant to be loaded again. "I think we had better take another aim or a greater distance," said Oswald; "with a bull's-eye the size of a dollar, and only forty feet off, Baron Cloten and I will have to fire a long time before the match is decided. Are there any cards to be had?" "I am content," said Cloten. "Have you any cards, Frederick?" Baron Barnewitz asked. "Yes, sir!" "Take away the target and nail an ace of spades against the tree!" "Of course, we shall only count the balls that pierce the ace itself, or at least touch it," said Oswald. "Of course!" said Cloten. "Now the thing is fairly under way," said young Breesen, and rubbed his hands with delight. "Cloten, pay forfeit," said Oldenburg once more, and sang through his teeth: "Pine cones--ace of hearts-- Why, my love, why, it smarts? Is it hatred--is it love?"