Tracy ignored the insult, and continued very, very silkily:

“One thing is certain: I shall know you again⁠—if I meet you!”

Even as the words left his mouth Jack saw the pistol in his hand and sprang quickly to one side, just in time to escape a shot that would have gone straight through his head. As it was, it caught him in his left shoulder.

“Do not fire!” he called sharply to the coachman, and bowed to his Grace. “As I was saying, m’sieu⁠—do not let me detain you, I beg.”

The Duke’s green eyes flashed venom for a minute, and then the heavy lids descended over them again, and he returned the bow exaggeratedly.

“Au revoir, monsieur,” he smiled, and bent to pick up his sword.