Instantly he raised his hand and thrust
fiercely at Rudolf with his long knife. Mr. Rassendyll would have
been a dead man, had he not loosed his hold and sprung lightly
away. But Bauer sprang at him again, thrusting with the knife,
and crying to his associates,
"Club him, you fools, club him!"
Thus exhorted, one jumped forward. The moment for hesitation had
gone. In spite of the noise of wind and pelting rain, the sound
of a shot risked much; but not to fire was death. Rudolf fired
full at Bauer: the fellow saw his intention and tried to leap
behind one of his companions; he was just too late, and fell with
a groan to the ground.
Again the other ruffians shrank back, appalled by the sudden
ruthless decision of the act. Mr. Rassendyll laughed. A half
smothered yet uncontrolled oath broke from one of them. "By God!"
he whispered hoarsely, gazing at Rudolf's face and letting his
arm fall to his side. "My God!" he said then, and his mouth hung
open. Again Rudolf laughed at his terrified stare.
"A bigger job than you fancied, is it?" he asked, pushing his
scarf well away from his chin.
The man gaped at him; the other's eyes asked wondering questions,
but neither did he attempt to resume the attack.
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