Then he burst into a laugh, crying,
"Look, look!" and pointing to the foot of the last page of the
letter. I was mad with anger; my fury gave me new strength. In
his enjoyment of what he read Rupert had grown careless; his knee
pressed more lightly on me, and as he showed Rischenheim the
passage in the letter that caused him so much amusement he turned
his head away for an instant. My chance had come. With a sudden
movement I displaced him, and with a desperate wrench I freed my
right hand. Darting it out, I snatched at the letter. Rupert,
alarmed for his treasure, sprang back and off me. I also sprang
up on my feet, hurling away the fellow who had gripped my other
hand. For a moment I stood facing Rupert; then I darted on him.
He was too quick for me; he dodged behind the man with the
lantern and. hurled the fellow forward against me. The lantern
fell on the ground.
"Give me your stick!" I heard Rupert say. "Where is it? That's
right!"
Then came Rischenheim's voice again, imploring and timid:
"Rupert, you promised not to kill him."
The only answer was a short, fierce laugh. I hurled away the man
who had been thrust into my arms and sprang forward. I saw Rupert
of Hentzau; his hand was raised above his head and held a stout
club.
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