The Viscount preceded us to the spot indicated. It was about thirty paces distant, at the bottom of a gentle slope surrounded on all sides by a screen of brushwood, and seemed fitted by nature as the theatre of such an event as was about to take place. "M. Martelli," said the Viscount, "will you measure the distance by me?" The Baron assented, and thus side by side he and M. de Chateaugrand measured twenty ordinary paces. I was then left for a few seconds alone with M. de Franchi. "_Apropos,_" he said, "you will find my will on the table where I was writing when you came in this morning." "Good," I replied, "you may rest quite easy on that score." "When you are ready, gentlemen," said the Viscount de Chateaugrand. "I am here," replied Louis. "Adieu, dear friend! thank you for all the trouble you have taken for me, without counting all you will have to do for me later on." I pressed his hand. It was cold, but perfectly steady. "Now," I said, "forget the apparition of last night, and aim your best." "You remember de Freyschutz?" "Yes." "Well, you know, then, that every bullet has its billet. Adieu!" He met the Baron Giordano, who handed him the pistol; he took it, and, without looking at it, went and placed himself at the spot marked by the handkerchief. M. de Chateau Renaud had already taken up his position. There was a moment of mournful silence, during which the young men saluted their seconds, then their adversary's seconds, and finally each other. M. de Chateau Renaud appeared perfectly accustomed to these affairs, and was smiling like a man sure of success; perhaps, also, he was aware that Louis de Franchi never had fired a pistol in his life. Louis was calm and collected, his fine head looked almost like a marble bust. "Well, gentlemen," said Chateau Renaud, "you see we are waiting." Louis gave me one last glance, and smiling, raised his eyes to heaven. "Now, gentlemen, make ready," said Chateaugrand. Then, striking his hands one against the other, he cried-- "One! Two! Three!" The two shots made but one detonation. An instant afterwards I saw Louis de Franchi turn round twice and then fall upon one knee. M. de Chateau Renaud remained upright. The lappel of his coat had been shot through. I rushed towards Louis de Franchi. "You are wounded?" I said. He attempted to reply, but in vain. A red froth appeared upon his lips. At the same moment he let fall his pistol, and pressed his hand against his right side. On looking closely, we perceived a tiny hole not large enough for the point of a little finger. I begged the Baron to hasten to the barracks, and bring the surgeon of the regiment. But de Franchi collected all his strength, and stopping Giordano, signed that all assistance would be useless. This exertion caused him to fall on both knees. M. de Chateau Renaud kept at a distance, but his seconds now approached the wounded man. Meanwhile, we had opened his coat and torn away his waistcoat and shirt.