A figure appeared before them.  It was de Galisonniere, his ruddy face anxious.

“I was hoping that we might meet you,” said Robert.

“What’s this I hear about a quarrel between you and de Mezy and a duel in the morning?”

“You hear the truth.”

“But de Mezy, though he is no friend of mine, is a swordsman, and has had plenty of experience.  You English, or at least you English in your colonies, know nothing about the sword, except to wear it as a decoration!”

Robert laughed.

“I appreciate your anxiety for me,” he said.  “It’s the feeling of a friend, but don’t worry.  A few of us in the English colonies do know the use of the sword, and at the very head of them I should place David Willet, whom you know and who is with us.”

“But de Mezy is not going to fight Willet, he is going to fight you.”

“David Willet has been a father to me, more, in truth, than most fathers are to their sons.  I’ve been with him for years, Captain de Galisonniere, and all the useful arts he knows he has tried long and continuously to teach to me.”

“Then you mean that the sword you now wear at your thigh is a weapon and not an ornament?”

“Primarily, yes, but before we go further into the matter of the sword, I wish to ask you a favor.”

“Ask a dozen, Lennox.  We’ve been companions of the voyage and your quarrel with de Mezy does not arouse any hostility in me.”

“I felt that it was so, and for that reason I ask the favor.  We are strangers in Quebec.  We did not come here to seek trouble with anybody, and so I ask you to be a second for me in this affair with de Mezy.  Dave and Tayoga, of course, would act, but at the present juncture, ours being an errand of peace and not of war, I’d prefer Frenchmen.”

“Gladly I’ll serve you, Lennox, since you indicate that you’re a swordsman and are not going to certain death, and I’ll bring with me in the morning a trusty friend, Armand Glandelet, one of our honnetes gens who likes de Mezy as little as I do.”

“I thank you much, my good friend.  I knew you would accept, and if all are willing I suggest that we go back now to the Inn of the Eagle.”

“A little trial of the sword in your room would not hurt,” said de Galisonniere.

“That’s a good suggestion,” said Willet.  “A few turns will show whether your wrists and your arms and your back are all right.  You come with us, of course, Captain de Galisonniere.”

They went to their large room, Captain de Galisonniere procuring on the way two buttons for rapiers from Monsieur Berryer—­it seemed that duels were not uncommon in Quebec—­and Willet and Robert, taking off their coats and waistcoats, faced each other in the light of two large candles.  The young Frenchman watched them critically.  He had assisted at many affairs of honor in both Quebec and Montreal and he knew the build of a swordsman when he saw one.  When Robert stood in his shirt sleeves he noted his powerful chest and shoulders and arms, and then his eyes traveling to the marvelous wrists were arrested there.  He drew in his breath as he saw, from the way in which Robert flexed them for a moment or two that they were like wrought steel.