“He is a duellist then?”

“Notorious; although, as near as I can learn, he has not had a serious affair for some time.  He assured me once, when I ventured to question him, that he was through with that sort of thing.  It’s common practice among the Louisiana hot-bloods, and I supposed he had got his senses.  Probably Billie never even heard of his reputation in this respect.  What do you do best—­shoot or fence?”

“Shoot, although I am hardly an expert at either.”

“Le Gaire will name swords,” he said soberly.  “He’s a fine swordsman, and probably the only question is how badly he’ll try to hurt you.”

“A pleasant prospect surely.”

“For him, yes, but as your second I propose impressing Captain Bell, when he arrives, with the idea that you are particularly expert with the sabre, which happens to be the only sword weapon present.  If I succeed he may decide that pistols will be better.”

I stared at him with full appreciation, realizing the man was really seeking to serve me.

“May make it too,” he went on calmly.  “You’re a stronger man than Le Gaire, and that means something with the sabre.  If I can convince Bell, he’ll make Le Gaire decide in favor of the gun.  There he comes now.  Well, Bell, you’ve been long enough about it—­must be your first case.”

The infantryman bowed rather coldly, his back against the closed door, as he surveyed us both.

“I have not had much experience in such affairs, Major Hardy, and I desired some understanding of the circumstances before finally consenting to act,” he replied stiffly.  “I am informed that Captain Le Gaire is the challenged party.”

“Well, that might be a question, but we will waive the technicalities.  Le Gaire provoked the fight, and was rather nasty about it in my judgment, but all we are anxious about now is to get the preliminaries over with as soon as possible.  We acknowledge that your man was the one challenged.”

“Then, sir, we demand an immediate meeting, and name swords as the weapons.”

Hardy turned to me, a smile of delight illumining his face.

“Good enough,” he exclaimed, sufficiently loud to reach the ears of the astonished captain.  “Not so bad, hey, Galesworth?”

I nodded, but without venturing a reply, and Bell exhibited his surprise in his face.

“Is—­is Lieutenant Galesworth an expert with the sabre?” he asked, after a moment’s silence.

“Is he!” echoed Hardy.  “Do you mean to say Le Gaire has never heard of him?”

“I—­I think not.”

“That’s odd.  Why, we of the staff knew all about those sabre trials in the Federal camp.  I naturally supposed Le Gaire wished to try his skill with the champion for the honor of the South.  Such a struggle ought to be worth seeing, but Galesworth would have the advantage of weight, and length of arm.”

Bell evidently did not know either what to say or do.  This threw an entirely new light on the situation, and left him in an awkward position.  He shuffled uneasily about.