The San Francisco call., 1913-10-04
Or an express train.

TET HEN Leblanc saw the Doctor
w small, rotund figure moving
through the labyrinth of in
tervening tables, he knew quite
well-none better-exactly what was
going to happen. with the sang
froid which had always distinguished
the Chevalier, he crossed one leg
over the other. threw himself back in
his chair. and with an easy, wel-bred
smile on his pale. handsome face
waited for the Doctor TO come up.
The latter was putting with the ex-
ertion Of his walk. and it was some
minutes before he was able to com
mand the necessary breath TO speak.
Monsieur" he began. and at the
high treble of his voice all seated at
adjacent tables turned to look at the
speaker Monsieur lie Chevalier. you
are a scoundrel,"
His hand went UP, his glass few.
and the Chevalier wiped the purple
liquid from his face.
Monsieur" he said calmly. you
are unnecessarily rude. Two of my
friends"
without another word. the Doctor
d bowed. and. turning on his heels,
threaded his way back through the
tables, fully conscious that he was
the present object of general Curl
osity. There was such an air of hon
est dignity about his dapper, fussy
little person that everybody forbore
to laugh
Well I'm blessed CALCULATED
Leblanc admiringly. Il never thought
there was an ounce of courage in
him Well, well, his little tub of a
figure will make an admirable target
at twenty pacesr
At 10 o'clock next morning two
gentlemen requested the honor OF an
interview with Monsieur Jules Dumas
at his private residence in the Rue st.
Denis
Monsieur" began the one, rising
and bowing as the doctor entered.
I'VE are here on an affair of deli
cacy and honor. Ny name, monsieur.
is Henri Vernon. and / have the
honor of presenting to you my friend.
the Comte du Bois-R Rouge"
After some compliments. they came
TO the matter responsible for their
visit
The Chevalier." remarked Vernon.
throwing himself back laughingly in
his chair and Ticking a hypothetical
spec of dust from his lowered satin
vest. is quite prepared to accept a
suitable apology"
Which" returned the little man
emphatically y am equally prepared
10 refusel"
The two men looked across at each
other in silent surprise. An eager
acceptance of their principals rea-
sonable and decidedly generous offer
had been anticipated by both 1t
would seem they had to deal with a
deceptive fire eater.
Then, monsieur put in the Count.
nothing remains but for us to choose
tile weapons. time and place I
need scarcely remind you that our
principals the insulted party-has
the right of choice in each case. But
the Chevalier generously consents to
forego that advantage, and begs that
you will decide between rapiers and
pistols
During this conversation the little
man had been walking nervousIy up
and down the room. At the Counts
last words lie stopped, and, turning
round. faced his two visitors.
He Is willing to give me the
choice OF weapons"
"Of course. you will perceive
went on the doctor, that the odds
are excessively on his side. have
ilnever handled sword extensively in
my life, and pistol would be stran-
ger to my hand than a wedding ring"
Vernon and the Count exchanged
eiances of disappointment and III
concealed contempt.
I'VE are not prepared TO discuss
that question: replied the Count cold
Is. The laws Of honor were fixed
. before our time, and we nnust abide
by them
since have the choice of arms,
resumed the Doctor. unheedingly. my
weapon will be neither pistol nor
sword"