Межзвёздный скиталец

           Forafullsecondwestoodinpause—I,withlegsspread,andarchedandtense,bodythrownforward,rightarmhorizontalandstraightout;Fortini,hisbladebeyondmesofarthathiltandhandjustrestedlightlyagainstmyleftbreast,hisbodyrigid,hiseyesopenandshining.

           SostatuesquewereweforthatsecondthatIswearthoseaboutuswerenotimmediatelyawareofwhathadhappened.ThenFortinigaspedandcoughedslightly.Therigidityofhisposeslackened.Thehiltandhandagainstmybreastwavered,thenthearmdroopedtohissidetilltherapierpointrestedonthelawn.BythistimePasquinianddeGoncourthadsprungtohimandhewassinkingintotheirarms.Infaith,itwasharderformetowithdrawthesteelthantodriveitin.Hisfleshclungaboutitasifjealoustoletitdepart.Oh,believeme,itrequiredadistinctphysicalefforttogetclearofwhatIhaddone.

           Butthepangofthewithdrawalmusthavestunghimbacktolifeandpurpose,forheshookoffhisfriends,straightenedhimself,andliftedhisrapierintoposition.I,too,tookposition,marvellingthatitwaspossibleIhadspittedhimheart-highandyetmissedanyvitalspot.Then,andbeforehisfriendscouldcatchhim,hislegscrumpledunderhimandhewentheavilytograss.Theylaidhimonhisback,buthewasalreadydead,hisfaceghastlystillunderthemoon,hisrighthandstilla-clutchoftherapier.

           Yes;itisindeedamarvellouseasythingtokillaman.