Part 6 (2/2)
”I explained to the count's friends that the boas a big knife hich our Western gentlemen chopped one another The count sat still, with a look of repressed , the baron swelling with rage The count asked if that were all
”Aramis went on: 'When I assured M Merton that the methods proposed were barbarous, he uage was of such incorrectness--in fact, so monstrous that as a French soldier I held him personally responsible The anih with you and the baron, he would attend to rieve to admit, count, that our friend the baron, usually so aand proposed revolvers and the knife-bowie, and said ere difficult'
”'I did,' said the baron; 'I, who am all that there is of amiable
Yes, I lost my temper' He stood up as he went on 'I said it was uncivilized, that it was no jest, but a grave ht with knitting-needles, that our duels were baby-play--me--me--he said that to me! What could I reply? I said I should ask hihed--_a faire peur_--the room shook Then he said to excuse him, it was--so what he called ”damn nonsense” I think, colonel, I am correct? What lish for very interesting,' said I, not wishi+ng to aggravate the situation
”'Ah, thanks,' said Aramis 'This American he was pleasant of a sudden, and would be happy to hear froret that I came third, but that after he had killed you and the baron he would be most happy to kill me _Mon Dieu!_ we shall see It remains to await his friends I shall kill his to me'
”Meanwhile the count's face was a study What it cost hiuess except by ans of mirth But Athos--I like hientle's work May I ask you, M Greville, if you know Captain Merton? I mean well'”
”Lord, what a chance! What did you say?”
”I sahat he meant, and said you were a captain in our army, had been tounded, and were here to recruit your health; that you were of first force with the rifle and revolver, but knew nothing of the small sword
”The baron's shoulders were lifted and he spread out huge hands of disgust 'But these weapons are impossible Only a semi-civilized people could desire to ees'
”'Pardon me,' I said; 'I presume that the rifle and revolver are both used in your service; and, also, may I ask you to remember that I, too, am an American?'
”'That does not alter my opinion If monsieur--'
”'Oh, stop, stop!' cried the count 'M Greville is uest He will allow me to reply Do you mean to create four duels in a day? My dear cousin will recall his words'
”'My dear cousin' did not like it, but said stiffly, 'So far as M
Greville is concerned, I withdraw theentlemen, as it seems to ers, which everywhere gives to the challenged party the right to choose his weapon As M Merton's friends will abide by his decision, your own seconds must, I fancy, accept what is or would be usual with us They have no choice except to decline and allow their refusal to be made public, as it will be, or to choose one of the three weapons so generously offered'
”The baron glared at me, the colonel was silent, and the count said: 'M Greville is correct I regret to have been theyou in a false position M Greville has coht, when our vehicles caave me by mistake the card of M le Capitaine Merton M Greville and I--you will pardon ed our little trouble, as I shall tell you more fully'”
”Oh, joy!” cried Merton; ”close of fourth act Every one on but D'Artagnan and the woman Athos, Porthos, Ara more dramatically all that could be desired? What next?”
”The count was very pleasant, and thought only a little explanation was required to reconcile his friends and the captain This by no ht with a cannon if necessary, and he will Araenerate He observed that it would require consideration Then the count said: 'The captain's ideas are certainly soinal, and why not leave it to M Greville and me and such others as we may choose?'
”I ell pleased Whether they were or not, I cannot tell They said, however, a variety of agreeable nothings, and I am to see the count to-ave the two fools a lecture”
”Well, well,” said Merton ”When I left the regiht I was out of the world of adventure”
”Oh, this is coht these idiots”
”No; but I will, if they desire to be thus a I was not bluffing”
”Porthos will stick it out You won't be too stiff-necked, I trust”