"Well," I mused, "there's consolation in knowing that in two hours I
shall be either dead or alive."
I flung the cane into the corner. To pass away the time I paced back
and forth. It passed too quickly; and it was not long ere I heard the
clatter of the returning cavalrymen. Some one knocked at my door. I
swung it open and--was thrown to the floor, bound and gagged in a tenth
of a minute.
"Put him on the bed," whispered the leader of my assailants. When this
was done the voice added: "Now you can go to the stables and wait there
till I call you."
It was the innkeeper. He surveyed me for a moment and scratched his
chin.
"Will Herr keep perfectly quiet if I take the handkerchief from his
mouth?" he asked.
I nodded, bewildered.
"What in tophet does this mean?" I gasped. I did not say tophet, but
it looks better in writing.
"It means nothing and everything," was the answer. "In the first
place, Herr will fight no duel. The man with whom you were to fight
was sent on an errand to this out-of-the-way place as a punishment for
dueling at the capital. I know him by reputation. He is a brawler,
but a fair swordsman. He would halve you as I would a chicken. There
is another who has a prior claim on him. If there is anything left of
Herr Lieutenant at the end of the fray, you are welcome to it. Yes,
there will be a duel, but you will not be one of the principals. It is
all arranged."
"But I do not understand," I cried.
"It is not necessary that you should." He laughed and rubbed his hands
in pleasurable anticipation. "There is a young man downstairs, who
arrived a few moments before the lieutenant. He has a special affair.
There were words. Herr Lieutenant is mad enough to fight a whole
company."
"Then, why in heaven's name am I up here in this condition?" I cried.
"Let me go and be the young man's second; though I can't for the life
of me see where he has come from so suddenly, and I might say,
opportunely. Come, cut me loose."
"It is too late!"
"Too late?"
"Yes. Herr Lieutenant has been informed that you ran away."
"Ran away!" I roared. "You told him that I ran away? Damn your
insolence! I'll break every bone in your body for this!" I cried,
straining at the ropes.