iderable proportion of the population of Grenoble. This audience
heartened Garnache, to whom some measure of reflection had again
returned. Before such numbers it was unthinkable that these
gentlemen--assuming them to be acting on behalf of Condillac--should
dare to attempt foul measures with him. For the rest he had taken the
precaution of leaving Rabecque at the Sucking Calf, and he had given the
sergeant strict injunctions that he was not to allow any of his men to
leave their posts during his absence, and that the troopers were to
hold themselves entirely at the orders of Rabecque. Comparatively easy
therefore in his mind, and but little exercised by any thought of the
coming encounter, Garnache walked briskly along.

They came at last to the Champs aux Capuchins--a pleasant stretch
of verdure covering perhaps half an acre and set about by a belt of
beech-trees.

The crowd disposed itself on the fringe of the sward, and the duellists
went forward, and set about the preparations. Principals and seconds
threw off cloak and doublet, and Sanguinetti, Courthon, and Gaubert
removed their heavy boots, whilst Garnache did no more than detach the
spurs from his.

Sanguinetti, observing this, drew the attention of the others to it, and
an altercation arose. It was Gaubert who came to beg Garnache that he
should follow the example they had set him in that respect. But Garnache
shook his head.

"The turf is sodden."

"But it is precisely on that account, sir," protested Gaubert very
earnestly. "In your boots you will be unable to stand firm; you will run
the risk of slipping every time that you break ground."

"I venture to think, sir, that that is my affair," said Garnache
stiffly.

"But it is not," the other cried. "If you fight in your boots, we must
all do the same, and for myself--well, I have not come here to commit
suicide."

"Look you, Monsieur Gaubert," said Garnache quietly, "your opponent will
be Monsieur Courthon, and since he is in his stockinged feet, there is
no reason why you yourself should not remain so too. As for me, I retain
my boots, and Monsieur Sanguinetti may have all the advantage that may
give him. Since I am content, in Heaven's name let the fight go forward.
I am in haste."

Gaubert bowed in submission; but Sanguinetti, who had overheard, turned
with an oath.

"By God, no!" said he. "I need no such advantage, sir. Courthon, be so
good as to help me on with my boots again." And there wa