Then they would probably drag me into it, and, if I went
down, what would happen to the document we bear?"
"That's true," said Chester. He turned to his adversary. "Is it
understood," he asked, "that, if I fall, there is an end of the quarrel?"
The Frenchman bowed in assent.
"And if you kill me," he said, "my friends will not molest you."
"Well, that suits me," said Chester. "Where and when are we going to
fight this thing out?"
"Immediately," was the reply; "and, with our host's permission, we shall
fight right here, monsieur."
"Any place suits me," said Chester. "And the weapons?"
"The choice lies with you, _monsieur_."
"Very good," said Chester. "Revolvers at ten paces!"
"Ten paces!" exclaimed one of the Frenchmen, stepping back in surprise.
"Surely _monsieur_ is jesting!"
"Not a bit of it," replied Chester quietly. "I want to get close enough
to make sure I can't miss him."
"But, _monsieur_," protested one of the Frenchmen, "it will make it that
much easier for your opponent to hit you also.
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