Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-28
CHAPTER XXXII.
To-day"

Suddenly, a breath, murmur, thrill
n word of Life, ran like an electric wave
through the length and breadth of Britain
By wondrous marvel there were once
more solid warships in Portsmouth port
ships friendly, belonging to England not
made for England by English hands, come
from nowhere! BY wondrous marvel
by the might Of the Almighty God
by His unspeakable favor.
With this miracle was coupled by the
people, without knowledge, by mere In
fallible intuition, the magic name or
Hardy.
Early on the Thursday morning the wild
rumor spread, incredible, yet believed.
And at once the entire nation rushed into
undoubting hope, gladly casting OFF It's
gloom, smitten with new and strange as
surance of it's high and worldwide destiny.
And all the daily private business of life
now, for the first time, utterly ceased, ana
men stood wondering to wait and Watch
the throes of Time agape as though scrfb-
bled across the sky in Sanscrit of ever
lasting red they beheld the signature Of
God.
AS for doubt with rash fate they flung
it quite away. In England-once more
were ships; and in England-once more
a captain Of ships.
At this thought a thrilling heat swept
through the blood of every British being.
And there was rumor abroad that, be-
sides these marvellous battleships-nine,
it was said, and more-there lay suddenly
assembled that Thursday morning In the
inner harbor Of Portsmouth a quite unac-
countable crowd OF other ships, Atlantic
greyhounds, Norddeutscher and Austrian
Lloyds, Royal Naval Reserve Merchant
Cruisers prodigious four-masters, tenders,
Scotch and Irish coaStguard vessels, I'M
armored cruising ships, transports, col
liers trawIers wooden merchantmen of
every build, thronging the harbor
great unseen ferment and movement,
CT ion FtNlyF ~
to the general mass of the nation, must
have been going forward for many days.
But to what end the concentration of all
these promtscuous crafts? Clearly, not a
fighting end.
At eight Hardy stepped upon the Dover
Cross Wall; and as If to show how with
the awful and momentous is mingled the
erotesuue and how something infects
the world" there, before him, on the quay,
stood a bowling, long-haired figure.
Hardy recognized him at once, and a
sound of vexed Impotence started from
his lips.
Edrapol rendered his shriveled card.
Hardy did not take 1t. He said;
II know"
EdrapoI was all bows He said:
II take this liberty. monsieur--sir [
find myself without a friend to make me
q small service In this country.
We. Well, now is it possible?" said Hardy,
ITO your frivoltty monsieur
Edrapol bowed.
''I am here in response to your letter,
monsieur. Between gentlemen----
II have no time! Is 1t that you stlil WISH
to fight with me?'
"The question is explicit, monsieur-sir.
Can YOU ask? Am l not here to make you
a favor since you were unable TO present
yourself with me? Such terms, between
gentlemen--
'.But YOU know, do you not, that 1t IS not
legal to fight In that way in EnglandF
Such a smile smiled Edrapol!
"Monsteur-!' he said reproachfully.
Hardy suddenly.
Out swept Edrapors arms, ana GOWN
curled his complying back:
but not today, you understand
'"romorrow--perhaps deluge"
'I cannot help that, sir. You are, l take
IT, Il great man for rules and ceremonies.
Well, then, I keep you to your rules 1t
Is not / presume, usual thing In your
country to fight duels at moments no
tice2 Well. then
but, monsieur
mo / have no time. l am going away
TO sea today II come back safe, we fight
at the first moment. as ! promised. Even
If YOU choose to meet me at my landing
place. which will, / think. be Dover we
fight there You will easily find me; and
/ will provide you with a second, and every
thing. II / return at all, / shall be here
by tomorrow week-nine days think that
Ia not beyond the usual interval which one
takes to arrange preliminaries. SO you can
not complain. l cannot stay longer. Bon
Jour, monsieur.
Hardy walked away, while Edrapol
shrugged, looking after him. With the
girl, Seward. Hardy proceeded to the Ship
Hotel.
Ife at once wrote a letter to old Robert