it chimed de Beauvais and his friends made their
appearance. The seconds exchanged a few words and selected a piece of
ground for the encounter, the principals at once removed their doublets
and faced each other.

"This is a duel a la mort," de Beauvais said in a loud voice.

"For that I am quite prepared," Hector said quietly; "but you are likely
to find, Monsieur de Beauvais, that it is not so easy a thing to
kill the colonel of one of her majesty's regiments as it is to stab a
churchman in his carriage."

De Beauvais at once took up his position, and, without the parade of
courtesy that usually preceded an encounter, fell furiously upon Hector.
The latter did not give way a step. With a wrist of iron he put aside
half a dozen thrusts, and then lunging, ran de Beauvais through the
body, his sword hilt striking against his adversary's chest.

De Beauvais' two seconds ran forward as their principal fell. "He is
dead," one said as they knelt over him. Then rising he addressed Hector:
"Monsieur le Colonel Campbell," he said, "I claim satisfaction at your
hands, for I take it that your words applied to me as well as to de
Beauvais, though addressed only to him."

"You may take it so," Hector replied coldly, "for you were also at that
house in the Rue St. Honore on that occasion you know of."

Hector's two seconds endeavoured to interpose, but he said: "Gentlemen,
I must ask you to let the matter go on. This is no ordinary duel. These
gentlemen, with whom I have no personal animosity, have picked a quarrel
with me at the request of one higher in rank than themselves, and are
simply his agents. I had no hesitation in killing the first of them, but
as Monsieur de Vipont wishes an encounter with me in spite of what he
has seen I will give him one, but will content myself with a less severe
lesson than that I have given Monsieur de Beauvais. Now, sir, I am at
your service."

De Vipont, knowing now how dangerous an opponent he was meeting, fought
cautiously. Hector, however, was anxious to finish the matter before
they were interrupted, and therefore took the offensive, and after two
passes ran his antagonist through the shoulder.

"Now, Monsieur le Comte, do you desire a turn?" he said carelessly.

The count was pale, but he answered steadily, "I claim it by the same
right as Monsieur de Vipont."

"Agreed," Hector said; and as soon as the count had removed his upper
garments they engaged.

The swords had scarcely c