“No, I know a good deal more than I knew then, Chavigny.  There were few days when we were in winter quarters that I had not an hour’s work in the fencing school with the officers of my regiment, and whenever I heard that there was a professor of the art I have never failed to frequent his salon and to learn his favourite strokes.”

“That is all right, then.  We need have no fear whatever as to the result.”

They reached the point fixed upon a minute or two before the clock struck, and just as it chimed de Beauvais and his friends made their appearance.  The seconds exchanged a few words and selected a piece of ground for the encounter, the principals at once removed their doublets and faced each other.

“This is a duel a la mort,” de Beauvais said in a loud voice.

“For that I am quite prepared,” Hector said quietly; “but you are likely to find, Monsieur de Beauvais, that it is not so easy a thing to kill the colonel of one of her majesty’s regiments as it is to stab a churchman in his carriage.”

De Beauvais at once took up his position, and, without the parade of courtesy that usually preceded an encounter, fell furiously upon Hector.  The latter did not give way a step.  With a wrist of iron he put aside half a dozen thrusts, and then lunging, ran de Beauvais through the body, his sword hilt striking against his adversary’s chest.

De Beauvais’ two seconds ran forward as their principal fell.  “He is dead,” one said as they knelt over him.  Then rising he addressed Hector:  “Monsieur le Colonel Campbell,” he said, “I claim satisfaction at your hands, for I take it that your words applied to me as well as to de Beauvais, though addressed only to him.”

“You may take it so,” Hector replied coldly, “for you were also at that house in the Rue St. Honore on that occasion you know of.”

Hector’s two seconds endeavoured to interpose, but he said:  “Gentlemen, I must ask you to let the matter go on.  This is no ordinary duel.  These gentlemen, with whom I have no personal animosity, have picked a quarrel with me at the request of one higher in rank than themselves, and are simply his agents.  I had no hesitation in killing the first of them, but as Monsieur de Vipont wishes an encounter with me in spite of what he has seen I will give him one, but will content myself with a less severe lesson than that I have given Monsieur de Beauvais.  Now, sir, I am at your service.”

De Vipont, knowing now how dangerous an opponent he was meeting, fought cautiously.  Hector, however, was anxious to finish the matter before they were interrupted, and therefore took the offensive, and after two passes ran his antagonist through the shoulder.

“Now, Monsieur le Comte, do you desire a turn?” he said carelessly.

The count was pale, but he answered steadily, “I claim it by the same right as Monsieur de Vipont.”

“Agreed,” Hector said; and as soon as the count had removed his upper garments they engaged.