due ... tre!_'

The first shot was Sanin's, and he missed. His bullet went
ping against a tree. Baron von Doenhof shot directly after
him--intentionally, to one side, into the air.

A constrained silence followed.... No one moved. Pantaleone uttered a
faint moan.

'Is it your wish to go on?' said Doenhof.

'Why did you shoot in the air?' inquired Sanin.

'That's nothing to do with you.'

'Will you shoot in the air the second time?' Sanin asked again.

'Possibly: I don't know.'

'Excuse me, excuse me, gentlemen ...' began von Richter; 'duellists
have not the right to talk together. That's out of order.'

'I decline my shot,' said Sanin, and he threw his pistol on the
ground.

'And I too do not intend to go on with the duel,' cried Doenhof, and he
too threw his pistol on the ground. 'And more than that, I am prepared
to own that I was in the wrong--the day before yesterday.'

He moved uneasily, and hesitatingly held out his hand. Sanin went