The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-29

l fessional thugs to pick a quarrel with the offending editor and do him up." A few hundred pesetas will accomplish 1 this.
 The attack on MT. Hotchkiss was brought to his notice and he came over from the Hotel de Paris to consult with me as to what had best be done
 Look at this'' he began, handing me the article, which he had had translated into English. What would you do ' about It? I can't read a word of the lingo, but I am told 1t Is very severe" 'Pd do nothing" was my answer, after glancing over the editorial. I knew the peculiar methods of continental jour- nalists in dealing with complaints. "But I can't stand this"
 You might send somebody to see the editor of the Diario, but don't go your self" was my further suggestion.
 You're dead wrong; I'll go myself, and want you to go along" saying which the American strode up and down the room.
 Under protest 1 agreed to accompany him to the office of the Diario.
 We were ushered Into reception room, the walls of which were hung with rapiers, swords, foils, pistols and other intimdating weapons.
 What sort of a place Is this?" ex- claimed Hotchkiss. "Is II a museum?'
 NO, indeed" I explained; i've are in the ante-room of the editor we have come to persuade
 "Ah! Quite collectioni What is written upon the cards attached to the weapons?" asked the inventor. I read several of the inscriptions to the inter- ested visitor. Under pair of rapiers. for example, were the words: These were used at Segovia, 6 o'clock in the morning of January A
 "Humph!' commented Hotchkiss. ''He wants us to to believe him fierce chap"
 My dear sir, you must understand that the editor of political organ in Madrid must be expert swordsman," I ex- plained
 q have heard that the pen is mightier than the sword but here it appears to be different. Whats on this card?" pointing to the next specimen on the wall. l read aloud:
 Senor Gonzales. founder of the Diario, killed Senor Cantero, member of the cortes, with this sword in ra;r combat. at a. m., March B. 1s75.' The men, tion fthe early hour unmistakably indi- cated the character of all the meetings
 Now I think I understandp' ex- claimed Hotchkiss. "Ii meet this man on his own ground. Wait for me herer.
 Before l realized what my companion intended to do. he hurried out to his cab and drove off.
 Left alone, I studied the apartment and observed over the door to the sanc- tum of the editor the legend. Guerra al cuchillo." (War to the knife)
 My beligerent countryman and were likely to have trouble. It appeared, pre-eminently. a case for diplomatic treatment.
 A beautiful pair of swords, evidently of Toledo make, lay fin a glass case on a window ledge. was examining them with genuine admiration when a. small, wiry. swarthy faced man quietly entered the room.
 "Buenos dias. senor caballero." said he. T welcome you" Then he bowed, with Castiian courtesy and grace.
 I was about to explain that I had called to present the distinguished Amer ican inventor, when the outer door open ed and MT. Hotchkiss entered. In his hand he carried a Viscayan clasp knife of shudder- provoking proportions. in- stantly recognized the weapon as one we had seen In shop window on the Puerta del Sol.
 Hardly had I introduced the two men when the American said, to me, in his native tongue:
 'Is this the Neditor?f Tell him I will fight him with this1a weapon of his own countryi
 The motion of his hand was toward the