"M. Gaillardet," said Soulié, "has just declared to us that if he does not fight with pistols, he will not fight at all."
"Toss five francs in the air," I said to my seconds; "and draw up a written declaration of the refusal of these gentlemen to refer the matter to lot."
De Longpré flung up a 5-franc piece, but Soulié and Fontan stood silent.
"All right," I said; "I accept M. Gaillardet's weapons, but I demand a declaration of the facts of the case."
They tore a piece of paper from a note-book, and on the crown of a hat Maillan wrote a report of the facts I have just given.
This pertinacity on my part cut short the conference. Pistols were accepted by me, and there only remained the settling of the terms. I wished we might be allowed to advance upon one another, and only to fire at our own will.
"M. Gaillardet," I said, "has laid down the terms about the arms; it seems to me that, in exchange for the concession which I have made him in adopting them, I, in my turn, have the right of deciding the way we shall use them."
"My dear friend," said Soulié to me, "the combatants have no rights; it belongs to the seconds to choose all rights."
"Very well! I request, if not as a demand, at least by way of suggestion, that my wish be submitted to M. Gaillardet."
The seconds went aside, and I found myself again alone with Bixio.