Page:Prose Specimens for Translation into German (1862).djvu/239

 My opponent had already arrived ; we took up the pistols and I shot him dead.

In as much as it could not be my object to send still more Zitzerlings into the other world, I resolved, hoping to be quite safe in my native country from the relatives of those already perished, to leave the continent altogether; I therefore went to Calais, embarked and arrived safely in Dover. In reality it also appeared as if the relations or at least their knowledge of my differences with the family did not extend as far as London; for I lived here some time quite undisturbed by the Zitzerlings. Once however as I was engaged at Lloyd’s coffee-rooms at a game of chess, I accidentally looked up and became so confused through a young man opposite who did not cease staring at me for a moment , that I made a false move in consequence and my whole otherwise excellent game became imperilled.

“Sir,” said I jumping up, “why do you stare at me thus incessantly ?”

“Your pardon,” said he, “are you not Mr. Johnson?”

“At your service.”

“Did you not shoot in duel four barons Zitzerling, one at Weimar, one at Vienna, one at Rome and one in Paris?”

6em