that your position in this matter shall be made very plain. I intend
to show that one matter alone stands in the way of your acceptance of
this challenge.'

'And what, pray, may that matter be?' The fellow was once more ashy
pale, and he trembled.

'Your cowardice, sir.'

'What! Do you dare in my own house to use such words?'

'I use them, of course, most deliberately. And now, sir, that you
have raised the question of the worthiness of my friend to meet you
in a combat of honour, you must first permit me to state that in
denying that fitness, every statement that you have made is a
falsehood. First, as to his blood: he is a gentleman. And I know that
in proving he is your equal in this respect, you will pardon me for
asking certain questions of you, as you will my making certain
statements of fact respecting him. Pray, sir, who was your father?'

'A gentleman. He was the owner of this property; and held the
position of magistrate in this county, as I do.' Mr. Harland bowed.

'And who, then, sir, was _his_ father?'

Mr. Ham winced; turned red; and then stood up, glaring at his
interrogator the picture of wild but impotent rage.

'I will not press the question, Mr. Ham; I will answer it. He was
what we describe as a "common person." That is, he _was not a