The Newark journal., 1905-05-12

in clear voice answered. "Letus smoke my friend I feel assured that your cigars are excellent" Without even looking at the box he took a cigar clipped off the end of it. and lit 1t from the small lamp upon the table. Yer non d1o the same, took up the two cigar points, and dropped them into the fire. Then the two men, as though they had met merely for quiet evenings conyer-. sation, began to chat of trivial mat ters
 After some minutes, Vernon smiled and said: You don't seem to be getting on with your cigar, my dear Herr Baron.
 The other flushed, rose from his chair, lit the cigar again. and walked up and down the room for a few minutes.
 Throw it away, and let us take an- other" said Vernon. "A relit cigar is never any good, and the first few whiffs of the one for which we are looking will decide matters
 There were great drops of persrir :on on the Germans forehead, and his aai.d trembed as he reached for the box again. Don't drop it." said George Vernon.
 Sir, would you insult me-" cried the baron, hoarsely, but his hand shook so in his excitement that cigar or two fell from the box on the floor, and he had to pick them up again.
 Each man took a fresh cigar, and lit 1t. They sat in silence, smoking and ey- ing each other curiously. Vernon was rather pale, but he restrained himself more than his companion, who shook and shivered as though with an ague.
 Another whisky" said the English man. And this time Baron yon Reitzen- stein drank off almost half tumbler Of raw spirits.
 You're getting nervous, Herr Baron: it is trying to the nerves, ad- nit. I saw a duel of this kind in Patagonia once. and one of the two men went mad barely 50 seconds before his companion died"
 T feel as if I might go mad myself. said Herr von Reitzenstein. You have nerve. you British, Herr Vernon.
 Now, then" said the Englishman. These are the last two in the box. Will you help yourself or shall we toss for ,hoice?" The baron took coin from his waistcoat pocket. then put it back again, and selected a cigar after smell ing each one of the two left, carefully.
 IT did not know 1 was a coward, Herr Vernon" he said, and his voice was hardly recognizable, but dare not risk the fall of coin at such mo- ment Will you forgive me, and shake hands with mel"
 ad sary's hand and said: We will stop here, if you wish it. baron, and not smoke the other two. We can still de- eide our quarrel with pistols in the for est tomorrow if you like
 No, mo-" said Von Reitzenstein. let us go through with it now we have be- gun. But if man had ever told me that should have no more command over myself, l would have killed him where he stoodH' And he bit off the end of his cigar savagely.
 Vernon laughed little, clipped his own cigar with care, and both men lit them. They are good, are they not?" he said. presently. 'I imported them direct through friend in Havana"
 The German did not answer He was deadly pale, and his teeth were chatter ing so that he could scarcely keep his cigar alight He made a point of hon. or though, to do so. and he smoked by fits and starts, now slowly, now in des- perate haste, blowing great clouds into the room.
 We are suffocating Vercingetorix," laughed Vernon, batting the head of Great Dane which lay beside his chair.
 The two men smoked on, and present. ly Baron von Reitzenstein started from his chair and, with his cigar still be- tween his clenched teeth, shouted: '1f lie. you shall die also!" and rushed at Vernon.
 Ihe struggle was short one, for Yer cinG torix threw himself at the German, anC pinned him to the ground. Vernon loo ed at Von Reitzenstein shook his heGi and in a puzzled voice said: ''Ne aer of these were poisoned and the box empty"
 re baron, whom the dog had left re- luct qtly at word from Vernon, rose to his feet. and said shamefacedly: "Waat are We to do now, Herr Vernon?'
 Vernon did not answer He was wa ching Verengetorix, who had been sni ing at something underneath the table. and licking what he found there. s,.l6er.v the dog gave one short cough v,1seA rGcG in a moan, and rolled over O. his side. stone dead. Vernon groped underneath the table and picked up crushed cigar, which Baron von Reit- zenstein had dropped when he upset the box
 This was the poisoned one he said. This looks like Providence. Shall We