"Mistake you? No; I'd know you in hell," he burst forth, anger making his
voice tremble. "I called you a spy, and you are one, you sneaking night
rat. You never waited for me in the parlor; if you had you'd now be under
arrest."

"Oh, so that was the plan?"

"Yes, that was it, Mister Lieutenant Fortesque."

"Well, Grant," I said sternly, "I've got just one answer to make you. You
can call your guard, or you can fight it out with me here. Whichever you
choose will depend upon whether you are a man, or a cur." I took a step
nearer, watching him as best I could in the dark. "You are an unmitigated
liar, sir," and with sudden sweep of the arm I struck him with open hand.
"Probably you will realize what that means."

For an instant he remained so still I doubted him, even held him cheap;
then the breath surged through his clinched teeth in a mad oath. He
surged toward me, but my sword was out, the steel blocking his advance.

"You--you actually mean fight?"

"Why not? Isn't that cause enough? If not I will furnish more."

"I do not fight spies--"

"Stop! That silly charge is merely an excuse. You do not believe it
yourself. You wanted a quarrel yonder in the ball-room. The expression of
your eyes was an insult. Don't evade now. I am here, wearing the uniform