Almost foaming with passion at having missed his aim, he dashed the
weapon to the ground.

"I must request the gentleman who spoke to stand the test."

"With great pleasure," responded Jack, coolly.

The Frenchman stared at the speaker.

"Bah! I don't fight with boys."

"Then I shall proclaim to all Paris that you are a cur, and try to back
out of a quarrel when your challenge is accepted."

"Very well, then, you shall die in the morning. Henri,"--this to a
friend--"arrange with the English boy's second if he has one; if he has
not, find him one."

The Englishman who had previously spoken at once stepped forward and
offered his services.

"Although," said he, "I should much prefer to see this affair settled
peacefully."

"I am entirely in your hands, sir," responded Jack.

And he retired to the other side of the room.

"Jack, Jack! what demon possessed you to get into such a mess?"

"No demon, Harry, but some of my father's hot blood. He was always very
prompt to accept a challenge."

"He will not let you fight."

"He will not know till it is settled. Listen to me, Harry, if you tell
him or anyone else, or try to stop the plan that my second may propose,
I swear I'll never speak to you again."

"But you stand every chance of being killed."

"Harry, we have both of us faced death many times, and I am sure I am
not going to turn my back on a Frenchman."

Poor Harry could say nothing more.

The Englishman rejoined them.

"I can't get that fellow to accept an apology----!"

"That's right," interposed Jack.

His second looked surprised at the youth's coolness, and continued--

"So I must parade you in the Bois de Boulogne at sunrise. It's about an
hour's drive."

"Where shall we meet you?"

The second hesitated, and then named a time and place.

"Now," said Jack, "I will go and have a little sleep; not at home, but
somewhere in this neighbourhood."

They went to a respectable hotel close by, and Jack, having made a few
simple arrangements (including a message to Emily), in case of being
killed, laid himself on his bed, and was soon slumbering peacefully.

* * * *

About a quarter of an hour after the sun had risen, they were all upon
the ground.

Jack and Harry with their second, and the Frenchman with his.

There was also a surgeon present.

Little time was lost.

The pistols were loaded, according to previous arrangement between the