s, even, of my resolution, that made me
still, as it places me near the gates of death, which to me is a
consideration of great solemnity, and as I shall contend for the
innocence of our friend before the eyes of all Europe.'

'Brave youth!' cried Rank, embracing him with much emotion. 'In
heaven's name fight. If you fall, I will revenge your death as a good
second should.'

At this moment the clock of St. Katharine's tower struck ten, and
directly afterwards Baumgardt's boat landed through the splashing waves
of the lake. In company with another officer he jumped ashore, and gave
a coldly polite greeting to those who had been waiting his arrival.
With silent activity the two assistants placed the barriers, and,
thrusting their swords into the ground some distance apart, stretched a
cord from one to the other.

'How many paces, general?' asked Rank, stepping midway of the cord.

'Twenty!' answered Baumgardt morosely.

'That is a great distance!' calmly remarked Arwed, and each measured
twenty paces from the cord and marked the points.

'Here, Gyllenstierna!' cried Rank, and Arwed took his place, whilst
Baumgardt stepped to the opposite point, which his second had marked.
Both stood eyeing each other with folded arms. The weapons were not yet
placed in their hands, but the glances of hatred exchanged were more
deadly than the bullets.

The seconds had loaded the pistols, and the combatants now received
them from their hands. 'Let him prevail who has the right!' whispered
Rank to Arwed, stepping aside.

'It is yet proper to ask,' said Baumgardt's second, 'whether this
affair may not be arranged in some other way?'

'In no other possible way!' cried Arwed. 'In this the major general
will certainly agree with me.'

'In no other way!' muttered the general. His second then left his side,
and the two combatants began slowly advancing, and with each step
mentally measuring the distance which divided them from each other.
They had advanced scarcely five steps, when with Baumgardt the fear of
death prevailing, and with Arwed his eagerness for the fight conquering
all prudence and discretion, they both fired almost at the same moment.
Arwed's ball struck Baumgardt's hat from his head, and his opponent's
grazed Arwed's left arm. But the latter, throwing away the discharged
pistol, and taking the loaded one in his right hand, cautiously
advanced.

Baumgardt followed his example, and advanced with a pale face, blue
lip