Volume I Part 12 (1/2)

”Most unfortunate. Well, we must try our luck with a regulation sabre; they can't well refuse it; ours is the stronger and bigger man. I don't think there's any room for doubt, eh? But it's a precious nuisance.

Man's got his wife here too. It's sure to be in the papers. Beastly nuisance; we shall all have to clear out, for I suppose it won't be a mere matter of scratches. It must come off at once too, or we shall be suspected of s.h.i.+rking. I think that's the only course,” said the general as he pulled down his wristbands.

”I'm afraid so,” said his lords.h.i.+p.

They rejoined the Frenchman.

”Monsieur de Kerguel,” said the general, seating himself, ”we have elected to choose sabres, regulation sabres; you have no objection, I suppose?”

”Sir, the weapon is unusual. As you are doubtless aware, between civilians the small-sword, the rapier and the pistol are what are usually employed. The sabre is unusual, and as a rule only employed in settling the little differences of officers of cavalry.”

”Monsieur de Kerguel, his lords.h.i.+p and I are here in the interests of our friend Haggard. You are possibly unaware that among English gentlemen the duel has ceased to be a means in these degenerate days of settling disputes. Unfortunately our princ.i.p.al has directed us in writing to agree to your wishes; and his lords.h.i.+p here has, somewhat indiscreetly, I must remark, taken you into his confidence. As he has done so, sir,” said the general, ”and bearing in mind that we are in a foreign country, and that unfortunately a blow has been struck, we feel ourselves reluctantly compelled to accept the proposed meeting. It is therefore our duty, sir, to protect our princ.i.p.al, and we cannot consent to abate one jot or t.i.ttle of our rights. Should you decline the weapon proposed no meeting can evidently take place,” here the general gave a little sigh; ”Lord Spunyarn is of the same opinion. It is then for you to accept or refuse; in the latter case the matter must definitely end here.”

The Frenchman paused and thought.

”Unfortunately, gentlemen,” he replied, ”my princ.i.p.al has left me no choice; he naturally declines any apology----”

”You will please to observe. Monsieur de Kerguel, that we have offered none,” interrupted the general; ”in our humble opinion the original insult, as well as the challenge, comes from you, and we cannot deviate from our position. We decline to modify our terms in any way. And I would respectfully suggest that this interview must definitely terminate the matter one way or the other. I would remark,” fiercely added the general, ”that neither we nor our princ.i.p.al are to be cajoled or intimidated.”

”It shall be as you say, general. Nothing remains then, I think, for us but to name a time and place. The weapons, the most unusual weapons, we are reluctantly compelled to accept under protest. Have you any suggestion to offer, general?”

”None whatever, sir. One party shall provide a surgeon, the other a pair of ordinary cavalry sabres. You as a resident in this infernal hole can doubtless suggest a suitable spot for the meeting. Of course you will be provided with a second friend. As to time, the sooner the better. We then, if it suits you, will bring a pair of regulation sabres. You, perhaps, will bring a doctor who will act for both men. Perhaps you will also oblige us by naming the time and place of meeting.”

”Gentlemen, the mill at St. Stefano is only four miles off; it is secluded; we shall not be disturbed. You know the place? Five o'clock will, I think, suit us all? Is it agreed?”

The general bowed.

”Gentlemen, I have the honour to salute you,” said Monsieur de Kerguel with a profound obeisance.

The general rang the bell, and Monsieur Barb.i.+.c.he's friend took his leave.

”Thank G.o.d!” piously exclaimed the general. ”I had him there; Haggard is the bigger and more powerful man, of that there is no doubt. It shall not be my fault if they don't settle their differences with the longest and heaviest pair of regulation sabres to be had in Rome for love or money. It's quite against the rule, you know, but you say our man is good at single-stick, so he may have the luck to smash him or cut him down before the Frenchman spits him, as he is bound to do if he gets the chance. And I'll tell you what it is, my lord, I'll take a gla.s.s of curacao, for I'm dry with talking.”

The curacao was duly brought, and certainly the general deserved it. The experienced warrior had perceived that De Kerguel was bent on mischief, and by his own coyness he had succeeded in beguiling the Frenchman into accepting a weapon of the use of which his princ.i.p.al was probably totally ignorant. The men would then theoretically meet on an equality.

But a cavalry sabre is a big and comparatively awkward weapon, and supposing that both were equally unskilled in its use, Haggard, as the taller and stronger man, would certainly have the advantage. Besides this the old general meant it, when he had stated his design to provide a specially heavy pair of weapons.

In his great anxiety to secure a meeting at any price, De Kerguel had been compelled to accept the general's ultimatum with regard to weapons, ”these or none;” but he knew that his princ.i.p.al thirsted for blood, so he gave way, and it seemed to him at the time that the trifling matter of providing the weapons was of little moment. But ere he reached his friend's hotel he felt that he had been caught napping.

Barb.i.+.c.he was extended upon a couch. A huge piece of black court plaister hid the wound on his swollen lip, a cup of _tisane_ stood upon the table. He was dabbing his forehead with toilet vinegar. His head was bound with a scarlet and yellow silk handkerchief which he wore after the manner of a nightcap, as is the custom of his country. As his friend entered he sprang to his feet.

”Have you arranged it, De Kerguel? Will he meet me, or are these Englishmen brave only with their fists?”

”Do not excite yourself, Emile; you will have need of all your skill, of all your courage.”

”He will come, then, this protector of the _demi-monde_, this model moral English husband. Say, is it sword or pistols, De Kerguel?”

”Ah! my poor Barb.i.+.c.he, I fear that I have, as our American friends say, 'given you away.'”

”You don't mean to say that the coward has apologized? This was no case for an apology, De Kerguel, as you know.”