was a small man."

Suddenly the Earl raised his hand. "Enough," he said sternly. "You are
your father's son. Come to my chamber in the morning, O'Ruddy."

There had been little chance to see what was inside the cloaks of the
ladies, but at the words of the Earl there peeped from one hood a pair
of bright liquid eyes--God save us all! In a flash I was no longer a
free man; I was a dazed slave; the Saints be good to us!

The contents of the other hood could not have been so interesting, for
from it came the raucous voice of a bargeman with a cold:

"Why did he kick him? Whom did he kick? Had he cheated at play? Where
has he gone?"

The upper servant appeared, much battered and holding his encrimsoned
nose.

"My lord--" he began.

But the Earl roared at him,--

"Hold your tongue, rascal, and in future look where you are going and
don't get in a gentleman's way."

The landlord, in a perfect anguish, was hovering with his squadrons on
the flanks. They could not think of pouncing upon me if I was noticed
at all by the great Earl; but, somewhat as a precaution perhaps, they
remained in form for attack. I had no wish that the pair of bright
eyes should see me buried under a heap of these wretches, so I bowed
low to the ladies and to the Earl and passed out of doors. As I left,
the Earl moved his hand to signify that he was now willing to endure
the attendance of the landlord and his people, and in a moment the inn
rang with hurried cries and rushing feet.

As I passed near the taproom window the light fell full upon a
railing; just beneath and over this railing hung two men. At first I
thought they were ill, but upon passing near I learned that they were
simply limp and helpless with laughter, the sound of which they
contrived to keep muffled. To my surprise I recognized the persons of
young Lord Strepp and Colonel Royale.

CHAPTER II

The night was growing, and as I was to fight at daybreak I needed a
good rest; but I could not forget that in my pride I had told Lord
Strepp that I was provided with a friend to attend me at the duel. It
was on my mind. I must achieve a friend, or Colonel Royale might quite
properly refuse to fight me on the usual grounds that if he killed me
there would be present no adherent of my cause to declare that the
fight was fair. And any how I had lied so thoroughly to Lord Strepp. I
must have a friend.

But how was I to carve a friend out of this black Bristol at such
short