over with a
slightly proprietary air.

"I--" Steele looked at them, at the girl's questioning eyes. "Only a
little!"

"Then you must try conclusions with Lord Ronsdale!" called out Sir
Charles. "As victor over the rest he must meet all comers."

A light swept John Steele's face; perhaps the situation appealed to a
certain sense of humor; he hesitated.

"Nothing to be put out by, being beaten by Ronsdale," interposed an
observer. "Had the reputation of being one of the best swordsmen on the
continent; has even had, I believe," with a laugh, "one or two little
affairs of honor."

"Honor!" Steele's glance swung around, played brightly on the nobleman.

The latter's face remained impassive; he lifted his foil carelessly and
swung it; the hiss that followed might have been construed as a
challenge. John Steele tossed aside his coat.

"Can't promise this contest will be as interesting as the other little
affairs you speak of!" he laughed. Through the fine, white linen of his
shirt could be discerned the superb swell and molding of the muscles, as
he now, with the gleaming toy in hand, stood before Ronsdale.

The latter's eyes suddenly narrowed; a covert expectancy made itself
felt in his manner. "Aren't you going to roll up your sleeve?" he asked
softly. "Usually find it gives greater freedom of movement, myself."

Steele did not at once reply; in his eyes bent on Ronsdale a question
seemed to flash; then a bolder, more daring light replaced it. "Perhaps
you are right!" he said coolly, and following the nobleman's example he
pushed back his sleeve. The action revealed the splendid arm of the
perfectly-trained athlete marked, however, by a great scar extending
from just above the wrist to the elbow. Lord Ronsdale's eyes fastened on
it; his lips moved slightly but if any sound fell from them, it was
rendered inaudible by Sir Charles' exclamation:

"Bad jab, that, Steele! Looks as if it might have been made by an
African spear!"

"No." John Steele smiled, encountering other glances, curious,
questioning. "Can't include the land of ivory among the countries I've
been in," he added easily.

Lord Ronsdale breathed quickly. "Recent wound, I should say."

"Not very old," said John Steele.

"If there's a good story back of it, we'll have it later," Captain
Forsythe remarked.

"Perhaps Mr. Steele is too modest to tell it," Ronsdale again
interposed.

"Your good opinion flatters me." Steele's eyes met the other's s