The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-05-23
with malicious delight the nose of the
duelist much inflamed.

AAS0S
duelist, much inflamed.
Advancing from his antagonists po-
sition three preternaturally serious
gentlemen of France in black frock
coats and straight-brimmed silk hats
| waded ankle deep in dripping grass 10
meet O'Rourke's representatives.
The two parties met, saluted one an
other with immense reserve, and re-
tired to suitable distance to con-
| fer; something which they did word
| lily, with enthusiasm and many pic
turesque gestures. At first strangely
amicable the proceedings soon struck
a snag A serious difference OF opln-
ion arose. O'Rourke OWNED that the
conference had gone into executive
session upon the question of weapons.
He treated himself to secret grin,
having anticipated this trouble.
The choice OF weapons being his,
as the challenged, he had modestly Sc
lected revolvers and had brought with
him brace of Webleys, burly pieces
of pocket ordnance with short barrels
and cylinders chambered to hold half
a dozen As cartridges. They were not
pretty, for they had seen service IN
their owners hands for a number OF
years, but they were undeniably built
for business. And at sight of them
the friends of the vicOmte recOled IN
horror.
Eventually compromise was ar
rived at. Monsieur Juilliard stepped
back. saluted. and with Won Einem re-
turned to his principal, his face
mask of disappointment. AS for him.
self, he told O'Rourke, he was DESC
lated, but the seconds of Monsieur des
Trebes had positively refused to con-
sent to turning a meeting of honor
into a massacre. They proposed to
substitute regulation French dueling
pistols as sanctioned by the Code.
Such as that which Monsieur lie Col
$ onel O'Rourke might observe in Mon
4 sieur billiards hand.
: ORourke blinked and shifted at it
: Sure" he commended, tbs a magnify
r ing glass need to make it visible tc
y me undressed eye. What the divvle
does it carry-a dried pea? What
!, d'they think we're here for, If not tc
). slay one another with due ceremony:
t Ask them that. Am | to salve the
y vicomte's wounded honor by shifting
e him with a spitball? I grant ye, til
7, magnificent but It's not pistol"
II Grumbling, he allowed himself tt
It be persuaded. AS he had foreseen ant
t, prophesied, so had it come to pass
n Yet he had to grumble, partly becaus
u he was the O'Rourke, partly for Ell
feet.
st None the less, he consented and i
the highest spirits left the car an
a plowed through the lush wet gras
e to the spot selected for the encounte
n in the shadow of the trees near tn
eastern border of the meadow. Herr
If the seconds having tossed for side
is he took stand at one end OF siXt
he foot stretch and, still indecorousl
amused received loaded pistol fro
d, Won Einem.
III Des Trebes confronted him, viii
I'd with rage, regretting alread
is (O'Rourke made no doubt) that he hf
not accepted the Webleys. The Iris
ne mans open contempt naddened II
man.
The seconds retired to perfect
safe distance, Won Einem holding tt
watch, one of Des Trebes' seconds
To- handkerchief The chauffeurs thre
pc away their cigarettes and sat up, +
he the first time reused out of their pr
he fessional air of blase Indifference.
ne "One," cried the German clearly.
ne Des Trebes raised his arm and le
DIS eled his pistol at O'Rourke's head.
ID faint flush colored his face, but
IL eye was cold and hard behind t.
dy sight and the hand that held t.
Ike weapon was as steady as if support
by an invisible rest.
'g- "Two," said Won Einem
De- O'Rourke measured the distan
he with his eye and raised his arm fro
ed the elbow only, holding the pistol wi
ed a loose grip.
I'd, "Three," said Won Einem.
le- The handkerchief fell.
in The Irishman fired without movi'
Des Trebes' weapon was d1scharg
is almost simultaneously, but with
We ined aim; it's bullet went nowhere
in particular. The Frenchman dropp
nj the weapon and, win.ing, examined
ed licitously knuckle from viii
it O'Rourke's shot had struck ting p
lel ticle of skin. His seconds rushed
in him with cries, preceded by the S
geon with bandages. O'Rourke gra
by fully surrendered his artillery to j
lard, laughed at the vicomte aga
ice and strolled back to the motor-car.
it's Juillard and Won Einem presen
nd Joined him, the former insistently a
ions to have O'Rourke descend 6
the clasp the hand of fraternal friends
vi. with the vicomte. But the lrishn
ma refused.
md Faith. Ao!" he laughed. "Niv