he doctor, in a preoccupied tone, "that I've left my
best probe at home. However, no matter--I've one I can use.

"I hear wheels," remarked Rand. "He is on the hour."

A chaise mounted the knoll of furrowed land and came down to the grassy
level and the waiting figures. It stopped, and Ludwell Cary and his
brother got out. "Drive over there where the coach is standing,"
directed the latter, and chaise and negro driver rolled away. The elder
Cary walked forward, paused within a few feet of his antagonist, and the
two bowed ceremoniously.

"I trust that I have not kept you waiting, Mr. Rand."

"Not in the least, Mr. Cary. The hour has but struck."

Fairfax Cary strode up, and the salutations became general. Skelton
Jones looked briskly at his watch. "With your leave, gentlemen, we'll to
formalities. The Washington stage has just gone by, and we will all wish
to get back for the mail. Mr. Fairfax Cary, shall we walk a little to
one side? You have, I see, the case of pistols. Dr. McClurg, if you will
kindly station yourself beneath yonder oak--"

The seconds stepped aside for their conference, and the doctor retreated
to the indicated oak. Lewis Rand and Ludwell Cary exchanged a comment or
two upon the weather, then fell silent. The one presently sat down upon
the root of a tree, and, drawing out a pocket-book, began to look over
certain memoranda; the other walked near the river and stood gazing
across its falls and eddies and innumerable fairy islands to the misty
blue of the farther woods. The seconds returned and proceeded to measure
the distance--ten paces, after which they loaded the pistols. Skelton
Jones advanced, the ends of two strips of paper showing from his closed
hand. "Gentlemen, you will draw for choice of position. The longest
strip carries the advantage. Thank you. Mr. Cary, Fortune favours you!
We are ready now, I think."

The two laid aside their riding-coats. Cary walked across the
leaf-strewn lists and, turning, stood with his back to the sun. Rand
took the opposite place. The seconds presented the loaded pistols. As
Cary took his from his brother, their hands touched--that of the younger
was marble cold. Skelton Jones crossed to his principal's right, and
Fairfax Cary moved also to his proper place. There was a minute's pause
while the sun shone and the leaves drifted down, then, "Are you ready,
gentlemen?" cried Rand's second.

The principals answered in the affirmative. Fairfax Cary gave the