Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-11-19
Roy, The Royallst.
BY WILLIAM WEsTALL.
CHAPTER VIII


 fiacre at seven, calling on our way for the surgeon, whose presence with his case of instruments was, however, too suggestive to be altogether pleasant
 When we arrived on the ground the others were already there, and the pre- liminaries were arranged in a few seconds.
 Forget and I were to fire simultane- ously at thirty paces, and, if neither was hit, then at twenty paces.
 This looked serious; and I inferred from my opponents manner that he was in vindictive mood. Moreover, Lacluse had told me for my comfort, as we came along, that the lieutenant was both a fine swordsman and a dead shot. However, the battle is not always to the swift, and I had the same confl- dence in my luck that Bonaparte had in his star.
 Neither of us had any appreciable advantage in position, and when Bouil- lon dropped his handkerchief (the pre- concerted signaD raised my hand and fired as straight as knew how. The two pistols went off together, and at the same instant knew that was hit. But it was nothing to hurt. Forget's bullet had merely grazed the side of my neck. Mine had gone through his hat.
 The seconds handed us fresh pistols, and we each advanced five paces.
 My first pistol had kicked more than a good duelling pistol should, and this time held my weapon more firmly and given as before, and we fired so true to { A1,n s,A, ,D1 4,. -Ira but single report, which had scarce died away when Forget gave little cry and sank in a heap on the turf.
 We all ran to him. He was hit on the right side, few inches under the arm, and while the seconds raised him up and administered restoratives the surgeon examined the wound, which he pronounced to be serious, possibly mortal.
 As soon as the surgeon had applied 8 temporary dressing they lifted the un- conscious lieutenant into a fiacre and took him home. Though I felt sorry to see him lying there so pale and dcath-lille, my conscience was clear. had not sought the quarrel, and the volley which killed De Gex was still ringing in my ears.
 Ut is denouement which did not expect, and very grave" observed Lacluse, as we walked towards our car riage.
 You mean that it would have been less grave if had been wounded instead of Forgct?"
 'Well, l don't quite mean that. thought that one of you would have been touched at the first shot, without being much hurt. In that case there would have been no eclat, but when 1t goes forth-and 1t is impossible to keer an affair of this sort secret-when il goes forth that you have insulted the French army and nearly killed prom ising officer"
 ''I beg your pardon, M. le Captaine, I did not insult the French army; and the difference which has ended so un- happily for your friend was your mak- ing"
 "Millo tonnerrcs, M. Roy! do you want to fight another duel?"
 '';f you like"
 "Wcll, to be frank do not ike. have given my proofs both on the field | of battle and the field of honor, and l can afford to say that 1 would rather | fight some one else. Moreover, just now it would not be eXpcdient-hardly l possible, indeed. You were wrong to speak of tho execution of De Gex as you did. But l also have been to blame. | The chances were not equal. You riSllcd a danger which Forget did not. | As soon as the directory are informed l of what has happened an order will be l issued for your arrest; and if you are taken it is quite possible that within the next twcnty-four hours you may