Although he always chose the sword to fight with, he had never had a lesson with that weapon.

When game was called he waited for nothing, but always plunged at his opponent and rained such a storm of wild and original thrusts and whacks upon him that the man was dead or crippled before he could bring his science to bear.

But his latest antagonist discarded science, and won.

He held his sword straight forward like a lance when Cavalotti made his plunge--with the result that he impaled himself upon it.

It entered his mouth and passed out at the back of his neck.