e paying court to death.'

Rallywood shrugged his shoulders.

'I may prove my point,' he retorted, smiling.

'As for that, it might be decided on a different basis later on,' urged
Adiron.

For the second time that night Rallywood looked at his watch.

'I have an engagement in seven minutes,' he said. 'I shall be glad if
you will convey my meaning to Lieutenant Unziar.'

'As you like,' said Adiron; 'but in case of accident I should like to
take the opportunity of saying to you now, that in the whole range of my
experience I have never derived more pleasure from the attitude of a
principal than I have on this occasion from yours.'

Adiron concluded with a bow and recrossed to the other second. Since the
Englishman was determined to go to his grave in so excellent and gallant
a fashion, by heaven, it was Victor St. Just Adiron who would escort him
to its brink with all the honours of a fine and hereditary courtesy! He
was a man quite capable of losing himself in a cause; therefore, as he
approached the other seconds, he came as a partisan of Rallywood's,
resolved that his man should have his will in spite of all or any
opposition.

'My principal,' he began, 'has just pointed out that this meeting is
rather in the nature of the justification of an opinion than a quarrel
in the ordinary sense;' then, repeating Rallywood's contention, he
added, 'You will see that it remains for Lieutenant Unziar to prove
himself in the right.'

Colendorp threw out a bitter oath, Adolf objected softly, and Jenard
stood silent and in dismay. What could Rallywood mean by throwing away
his life? But Adiron backed up Rallywood; he was going to bring this
thing to pass! Rallywood should have a last satisfaction in this life,
because he was worthy of it.

'If Lieutenant Unziar chooses to withdraw his opinion,' he said, 'of
course Captain Rallywood will not go any further into the matter. For
the rest, he has an appointment in less than seven minutes. On his
behalf I can but insist that his suggestion affords the only possible
way out of the difficulty.'

Reluctantly the other men yielded. Rallywood had gained a moral
advantage. If he were destined to die, he would die in a manner that
would go down into the history of the Guard. Hastily and in accordance
with the request of Rallywood, the change of procedure was explained to
Unziar.

The two opponents stood absolutely still, Rallywood's face wearing the
expression of one who is poli