"Yes!" answered Landon, hoarsely--"And enough to make me so! You
devil! You've ruined the girl!"

With a rapid movement, unexpected by his antagonist, Clifford
disengaged himself and stood free.

"You lie!" he said--"And you shall pay for it! Come away from the
house and fight like a man! Come into the grass meadow yonder,
where no one can see or hear us. Come!"

Landon paused, drawing his breath thickly, and looking like a
snarling beast baulked of its prey.

"That's a trick!" he said, scornfully--"You'll run away!"

"Come!" repeated Clifford, vehemently--"You're more likely to run
away than I am! Come!"

Landon glanced him over from head to foot--the moonbeams fell
brightly on his athletic figure and handsome face--then turned on
his heel.

"No, I won't!" he said, curtly--"I've done all I want to do for
to-night. I've shaken you like the puppy you are! To-morrow we'll
settle our differences."

For all answer Clifford sprang at him and struck him smartly
across the face. In another moment both men were engaged in a
fierce tussle, none the less deadly because so silent. A practised
boxer and wrestler, Clifford grappled more and more closely with