"You will do me the favour, monsieur, to inform your friend that
this was no first blood combat, but one a outrance. I fence as well
with my left arm as with my right, and if Monsieur de Bardelys will
do me the honour to engage again, I shall esteem it."
La Fosse bowed and came over with the message that already we had
heard.
"I fought," said I in answer, "in a spirit very different from that
by which Monsieur de Chatellerault appears to have been actuated.
He made it incumbent upon me to afford proof of my courage. That
proof I have afforded; I decline to do more. Moreover, as Monsieur
de Chatellerault himself must perceive, the light is failing us, and
in a few minutes it will be too dark for sword-play."
"In a few minutes there will be need for none, monsieur," shouted
Chatellerault, to save time. He was boastful to the end.
"Here, monsieur, in any case, come those who will resolve the
question," I answered, pointing to the door of the inn.
As I spoke, the landlord stepped into the yard, followed by an
officer and a half-dozen soldiers. These were no ordinary keepers of
the peace, but musketeers of the guard, and at sight of them I knew
that their business was not to interrupt a duel, but to arrest my
erstwhile opponent upon a much graver charge.
The officer advanced straight to Chatellerault.
"In the King's name, Monsieur le Comte," said he. "I demand your
sword."
It may be that at bottom I was still a man of soft heart, unfeeling
cynic though they accounted me; for upon remarking the misery and
gloom that spread upon Chatellerault's face I was sorry for him,
notwithstanding the much that he had schemed against me.
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