Jack’s bullet took him neatly in the neck, and without a sound he crumpled up, one of his pistols exploding harmlessly as it fell to earth.

With an oath the silent onlooker wheeled round to face the point of my lord’s gleaming blade.

Carstares drew in his breath sharply in surprise as he saw the white face of his Grace of Andover.

“Damn you!” said Tracy calmly, and sprang back, whipping out his own rapier.

“Certainly,” agreed Jack pleasantly. “On guard, M. le Duc!”

Tracy’s lips curled back in a snarl. His eyes were almost shut. Over his shoulder he ordered curtly:

“Keep watch over the girl. I will attend to this young jackanapes.”

On the word the blades clashed.