e to taunt a man in his sorry condition, else
might I now have explained to him what I had meant when I had promised
to leave him for the headsman even though I did consent to fight him.

Mironsac, Castelroux, and La Fosse stood babbling around me, but I paid
no heed either to Castelroux's patois or to La Fosse's misquotations of
classic authors. The combat had been protracted, and the methods I had
pursued had been of a very exhausting nature. I leaned now against the
porte-cochere, and mopped myself vigorously. Then Saint-Eustache, who
was engaged in binding up his principal's arm, called to La Fosse.

I followed my second with my eyes as he went across to Chatellerault.
The Count stood white, his lips compressed, no doubt from the pain his
arm was causing him. Then his voice floated across to me as he addressed
La Fosse.

"You will do me the favour, monsieur, to inform your friend that this
was no first blood combat, but one a outrance. I fence as well with my
left arm as with my right, and if Monsieur de Bardelys will do me the
honour to engage again, I shall esteem it."

La Fosse bowed and came over with the message that already we had heard.

"I fought," said I in answer, "in a spirit very different from that by
which Monsieur de Chatellerault appears to have been actuated. He made
it incumbent upon me to afford proof of my courage. That proof I have
afforded; I decline to do more. Moreover, as Monsieur de Chatellerault
himself must perceive, the light is failing us, and in a few minutes it
will be too dark for sword-play."

"In a few minutes there will be need for none, monsieur," shouted
Chatellerault, to save time. He was boastful to the end.

"Here, monsieur, in any case, come those who will resolve the question,"
I answered, pointing to the door of the inn.

As I spoke, the landlord stepped into the yard, followed by an officer
and a half-dozen soldiers. These were no ordinary keepers of the peace,
but musketeers of the guard, and at sight of them I knew that their
business was not to interrupt a duel, but to arrest my erstwhile
opponent upon a much graver charge.

The officer advanced straight to Chatellerault.

"In the King's name, Monsieur le Comte," said he. "I demand your sword."

It may be that at bottom I was still a man of soft heart, unfeeling
cynic though they accounted me; for upon remarking the misery and
gloom that spread upon Chatellerault's face I was sorry for him,
notwithstanding