The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-06-29

HurIllnS against a byStander who
had halted in blank amazement,
and they both came to earth with
a crash.
Cornoyer sprang forward. Hotel
employees clustered about the fall
en-. The vestibule of the severely
! decorous Bristol evolved a crowd
almost as quickly as would have
! any plebeian tavern in Paris. And
In the heart of it stood Quaintancc,
with clenched fists, wishing he
could have got in another blow.
Cornoyer had stepped to his elbow,
and they remained thus until the
Due had rid himself of the irate
bystander.
Then Cornoyer went forward,
leaving Quaintance strictly charged
to restrain himself, to where the
victim of his friends right arm
! was quietly stanching a cut chin
and striving to convince those who
encircled him that he had no furth-
err immediate violent intention. He
willingly accompanied Cornoyer in
the direction of the door, while
Quaintance sauntered toward the
smoking room whittier they had
been hound. The onlookers seeing
them separate thus drifted about
their business discontentedly.
Jules Chevrel, following his en-
ployer at respectful distance, had
overseen the encounter from the
safe shelter of a convenient alcove,
and he stayed quietly there till
Quaintance had passed out of
sight, when he escaped. suitcase in
hand and muttering. With what a
butcherly blow had the American
savage felled Monsieur. Jules
trusted that the matter would not
be allowed to rest there.
And neither was it. When Cor
noyer came back he wore look
of genuine gravity for the first
time since Quaintance had met
him, and also spoke in French.
IN. lie Due demands satisfac-
tion," he said. II told him that
you would be quite ready to ac-
cord it. May l act for you in the
matter?"
81 hate to drag you in, J. j."
Quaintance told him, "but--if you
don't mind-O'Ferral's away, you
see. and"
I'm only too glad to have been
on hand. What weapons do you
prefer?"
II prefer my fists" said Quain-
lance with good humored nom
chalance. He was on much bet
ter terms with the world now than
he had been. But I don't suppose
that would suit the other side, so
I'll leave it to you, J. j."
"The Dues most expert
swordsman," Cornoyer stated re-
Effectively. He'd run you through
In a twinkling, unless you're a
first class fencer."
Then Wen strike swords out,
old chap. I've played at single
sticks, but not very seriously"
Hes a dead shot, too" said
Cornoyer
He'll be dead shot when I've
done with him." Quaintance assert
ed grimly. Better make 1t guns
of some kind, ]. j. That will prob
ably be genteel enough to suit
him, and I've learned to be handy
with most Sorts
II gave him your address, and
he'll send a friend round between
four and five. So I'll be back
there with you then, and wei fix
it for tomorrow at dawn II that
suits you"
Perfectly. The sooner we get
it over the better. And say, j. j.,
I'd better-I don't want to get you
into trouble"
THAT is the last thing you must
think about" Cornoyer replied
steadily.
When M. lie Due reached his
short walk from the Place Ven
dome, with his handkerchief to his
chin which he had had repaired
at drug store In passing. he found
Tissot-Latour in the act OF pushing
the bell button. He had been at a
loss to know where to turn for a
friend who would not infer too
much from the fact that he meant
to fight the American to whom all
Paris at the Elysee had seen his
unsmiling Duchesse both smile and
speak. Tissot-Latour had not been
present at the function there.
Furthermore. this fat vulgarian
whom he esteemed so lightly was
of sufficient standing in the Pre-
lecture de Police to insure any
friend of his at least fair chance
of escape in case Of any such un.
pleasant complication as would in
dubitably result from the projected
encounter.
He therefore greeted his unsus-
pecting sycophant warmly, apollo
gized for the oversight which had
occurred in connection with the
card for the presidential recep-
ton, supplied him with gin and
vermouth, mixture he much al
fected, and preached the subject
without delay.
Tissot I.atour was too grateful
for his kindness to run any risk
of curdling II by acceding to his
request otherwise than freely. 1t
startled him greatly at first, and
his flabby cheeks paled at the
mere idea OF firearms or almost
equally dangerous steel, but, as
he rapidly reflected. duelling was
quite fashionable amusement,
seldom resulted in hloodshed be-
yond q teaspoonful. and 1t would