ee a trick or two which will let more ardor out of thy body
than a three days' diet of beef can replace."

"Thou knave!" Effingston exclaimed, casting a quick glance at the
motionless figure upon the ground, and pointing toward it with his
rapier. "Dost call thyself a man, to steal behind and deal foul
blows? Verily, thou craven dog, 'tis written in thy countenance, and
he who runs may read, that thou hast not the courage even to look a
woman in the eye, much less to face a man in honest fight."

"I'll hear no more of thy speech," cried the now angry man, leaping
meanwhile to the middle of the road; "soon will I put holes in thy
genteel carcass which will leave thy vitals cold for some time to
come. Up with thy sword, if thy bravery be not all talk." He
unfastened his leather jerkin and stood awaiting Effingston, who
loosened the clasp of his mantle.

"By my troth," exclaimed Fawkes, who still retained his post of
vantage; "I swear 'tis not my place to interfere; likely it will be a
lusty fight, for both seem to have the proper spirit, and hold the
weapon as those accustomed to the steel. Marry! it must be difficult
to see the eyes in this light, but the point will be more readily kept
track of."

The combatants crossed swords and stood at guard.

"If thou hast any friend to claim thy body, better write his name,"
said the man in the leather jerkin, as Effingston's blade touched his
lightly, emitting a grating sound.

The only answer was a swift lunge, dexterously parried.

Not three blows were exchanged before Effingston realized that the man
before him not only possessed the skill of one long used to sword
play, but, further, combined with it the coolness and the keen eye of
an old duelist. Moreover, the neutral tint of his adversary's dress
offered but a poor mark by which to gauge his thrust, while his own
costume, being ornamented with silver, gave his antagonist most
effective guidance whereby to aim his strokes.

The other, also, came to the conclusion that no mere novice stood
before him, for Effingston had turned every thrust with an ease which
surprised him; and several times his sword had crept so closely to the
leather jerkin that three or four brown furrows had appeared upon it.

"Enough of this child's play," Effingston's antagonist hissed between
his teeth, making another furious lunge. The impetus given to the
thrust would have sent the blade to the hilt into the other's body had
it come in co