Beyond it stretched the red-tiled roofs, glowing pink in the
moonlight, and beyond them the camp-fires of Alvarez twinkling like
glow-worms against the dark background of the hills. The town had gone
to sleep, and the hotel was as silent as a church. There was no sound
except the whistle of a policeman calling the hour, the bark of the
street-dogs in answer, and the voice of one of our sentries, arguing
with some jovial gentleman who was abroad without a pass. After the
fever and anxieties of the last few days the peace of the moment was
sweet and grateful to me, and I sank deeper into the long wicker chair
and sighed with content. The previous night I had spent on provost
duty in the saddle, and it must have been that I dropped asleep, for
when I next raised my head Miss Fiske was standing not twenty feet
from me. She was leaning against one of the pillars, a cold and
stately statue in the moonlight.

She did not know anyone was near her, and when I moved and my spurs
clanked on the stones, she started, and turned her eyes slowly toward
the shadow in which I sat.

During dinner they must have told her which one of us was to fight the
duel, for when she recognized me she moved sharply away. I did not
wish her to think I would intrude on her against her will, so I rose
and walked toward the door, but before I had reached it she again
turned and approached me.

"You are Captain Macklin?" she said.

I was so excited at the thought that she was about to speak to me, and
so happy to hear her voice, that for an instant I could only whip off
my hat and gaze at her stupidly.