"And I tell you, sir, that as God lives it shall not," I answered with a
vehemence not a whit less than his own. "To you and to what other fools
may think to follow in your footsteps, I say this: that not to-night nor
to-morrow nor the next day shall that duel be fought. Cowards and
poltroons you are, who seek to murder a beardless boy who has injured none
of you! But, by my soul! every man who sends a challenge to that boy will
I at once seek out and deal with as I have dealt with Eugène de Canaples.
Let those who are eager to try another world make the attempt. Adieu,
Messieurs!"

And with a flourish of my sodden beaver, I turned and left them before they
had recovered from the vehemence of my words.




CHAPTER IV

FAIR RESCUERS


Like the calm of the heavens when pregnant with thunder was the calm of
that crowd. And as brief it was; for scarce had I taken a dozen steps when
my ears were assailed by a rumble of angry voices and a rush of feet. One
glance over my shoulder, one second's hesitation whether I should stay and
beard them, then the thought of Andrea de Mancini and of what would befall
him did this canaille vent its wrath upon me decided my course and sent me
hotfoot down the Rue Monarque. Howling and bellowing that rabble followed
in my wake, stumbling over one another in their indecent haste to reach me.