They went to a respectable hotel close by, and Jack, having made a few simple arrangements (including a message to Emily), in case of being killed, laid himself on his bed, and was soon slumbering peacefully.
About a quarter of an hour after the sun had risen, they were all upon the ground.
Jack and Harry with their second, and the Frenchman with his.
There was also a surgeon present.
Little time was lost.
The pistols were loaded, according to previous arrangement between the two seconds, with a lighter charge than usual, so that Jack might possibly escape with only a flesh wound instead of having a hole drilled right through him.
The combatants were then placed half facing each other, fifteen paces apart.
"There is a grave suspicion afloat that your adversary has an ugly knack of pulling the trigger half a second too soon," whispered Jack's second, "so I am going to give him a caution."
A pistol was placed in the hand of each, and then Jack's second spoke.