entleman and insults him beyond
any possibility o' doubt. 'Ah,' says Dalroyd, laying down his cards,
'I believe, I verily believe he means to be offensive!' 'Gad love me,
sir,' smiles the Viscount, 'I'm performing my best endeavour that way.'
'You mean to quarrel, then,' says Dalroyd. ''Twill be pure joy, sir!'
bows the Viscount. 'Impossible!' sneers Dalroyd. 'Why then, sir,'
beams the Viscount, 'perhaps a glass of wine applied outwardly will
make my intention quite apparent, because if so, sir, I shall be happy
to waste so much good wine on thing of so little worth.' O Jack, 'twas
pure--never have I seen it better done. But 'tis an ill business all
the same, for when they meet 'twill go ill with the lad, I fear--aye, I
greatly fear!"

"Why then, they shan't meet!" said the Major gently.

"Eh--eh?" cried the Colonel. "Damme, Jack--who's to prevent?"

"I, of course, George."

"Aye, but how, a Gad's name?

"First, I do know Dalroyd a rogue unworthy to cross blades with the
Viscount----"

"I doubt 'twill serve, Jack, I doubt."

"Secondly, I intend to cross blades with Dalroyd myself."

"You Jack--you? O preposterous! Smite me, 'tis most irregular."

"Indeed and so it is, George, but----" the Major smiled, and knowing
that smile of old the Colonel shrugged his shoulders. "I will but ask
you to be here in this room to-morrow night at--say twelve
o'clock--alone, George."

"When you use that tone, Jack, I know you'll do't. But how you'll
contrive thing so impossible is beyond me. And talking of Dalroyd the
resemblance is strong, he's very like----"

"Ah, you mean like Effingham."

"Aye, like Effingham--and yet again he's--different, Jack, and besides
'tis impossible!"

"Ten years must needs alter a man," said the Major thoughtfully.
"George, I'd give very much to know if Dalroyd bears a certain scar."

"Impossible, Jack--quite, your thrust was too sure."

"Hum!" said the Major, "howbeit I cross blades with Dalroyd as soon as
possible, which reminds me I've made no will and 'tis best to be
prepared, George, and you shall witness it if you will."

So the document was drawn up, blunt and soldier-like, and duly attested.

"A will, Jack," said the Colonel throwing down the pen, "is a curst
dust to dust and dry bones business, let's ha' another bottle."

"Egad, and so we will!" answered the Major. "And drink success to thy
wooing, George."

CHAPTER XXXIX

WHICH IS A QUADRUPLE CHAPTER