“Southerners never fight with their fists,” the Virginian declared.  “They consider it brutal and beastly, and so they do not learn the so-called ‘art.’  They are able to fight with some other weapons, though.  There is a man in this college who is trying to be a high cock of the walk, but he will never succeed till he shows his right by meeting me face to face with weapons of which I have knowledge.  I have met him with his weapons, and if he is not a coward he will give me a show.  But I think he is a coward and a sneak, and I—­”

That was more than Frank could stand.  He did not pause to think that Diamond had been drinking and was utterly reckless, but he whirled and advanced till he stood squarely in front of the Virginian.

“I presume, Mr. Diamond, that you are referring to me,” he said, coldly and steadily, although he could feel the hot blood leaping in his veins.

Diamond looked up insolently, inhaled a whiff of his cigarette, and then deliberately blew the smoke toward Frank.

“Yes, sir,” he said, “I presume I did refer to you.  What are you going to do about it?”

“You called me a coward and a sneak.”

“Exactly, sir.”

“If I had not already left the marks of my knuckles on you I would slap your face.  As it is, I will simply—­pull your nose!”

And Frank did so, giving Diamond’s nose a sharp tweak.

Up to his feet leaped the Virginian, his face white with wrath.  He picked up a glass of champagne as he arose, and then he dashed it into Frank’s face.

In a twinkling friends were between them, keeping them apart.

CHAPTER IX.

The duel.

Merriwell smiled and wiped the champagne from his face with a white silk handkerchief.  The proprietor bustled in and threatened.  Diamond quivered with excitement.

“There will be no further trouble here,” calmly said Frank.  “This matter must be settled between us—­I could see that plainly enough.  It wan just as well to bring it to a head at once.”

“Lunder and thightning—­I mean thunder and lightning!” panted Rattleton.  “He won’t fight you again with his fists.”

“I do not expect him to.”

“You’ll have to fight with rapiers, sure!” said another.

“Merriwell, you’re a fool!”

“Thank you.”

“You have fallen into his trap.  He was making that talk to drive you to do just what you did.”

“Well, he may congratulate himself on his success.”

“Blamed if I understand you!  You seem cool enough, and still you act as if you actually meant to meet him with deadly weapons.”

“I shall meet him with any kind of weapons he may name.”

Roll Ditson came forward.

“Of course you understand that I have no feeling, Merry, old man,” he said; “but Diamond has chosen me as his second once more, and so I can’t refuse to serve him.  It is a most unfortunate affair, but he insists that you fight him with rapiers.”