I'll take my position here. Shall I
measure the distance?"

"Pardon me, Mr. Rivers," said Ashby; "but I cannot accept this from
one throw. It must be the best out of three times."

"I don't see why."

"I should not accept it under any other conditions."

"Oh, very well. Let us both act so as to satisfy one another," said
Harry. "In that case you had better toss again."

Ashby now picked up the button, and tossed a second time. This time
it fell face downward.

"Tails!" said Harry. "Once more, and that decides it."

Ashby picked up the button and gave a final toss. The button fell.
This time it was in Ashby's favor. It fell face upward.

"Heads!" said Harry. "It's yours, Mr. Ashby. Will you take the
pistol?"

Ashby hesitated.

"I think," said he, "we had better arrange our places."

"Very well. At what distance?" said Harry. "Shall we say twelve
paces?"

"I should think so."

Upon this Harry began by the fireplace, and walked for twelve paces
along the floor. Reaching this place, he stopped.

"Will this do?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Very well; and now which place will you take?"

"Either."

"In that case we must toss up again for choice of positions. But,
first of all, it will be necessary to move this torch, so that it
shall be equally favorable."

Saying this, Harry walked over to the torch, and carried it, together
with the stone, to a place which seemed about midway between the two
positions. Here he set it on the ground.

"And now, Mr. Ashby," said Harry, "we must toss up for places."

"Very well," said Ashby; "but you had better toss this time, as I did
it last time."

To this Harry made no objection. He took the button, and tossed it.
This time luck was favorable, and he won the choice of positions.

"Well," said he, "I'm quite indifferent; but, as I have the choice, I
suppose I may as well choose the place out there in the room. In that
case you will stand here in front of the fireplace."

"Very well," said Ashby, who thereupon took up his place there.

"Have you any plan to propose as to firing?"

"None whatever."

"I've been thinking of one which I will mention. You may have a
better one. The unarmed one shall give the word, or drop a
handkerchief. Will that do? If you prefer for the one who fires to
give the word--very well. Only I think that the word had better be
given."

"Certainly," said Ashby, "and I quite agree to your proposal."

"Very well," said Harry; "and now, Mr